“Speaking of Amway, what are YOUR thoughts on…?”

For those of us focusing on the Personalized Health opportunity, the following excerpt from a press release this morning definitely adds a spring to our step (see quoted section below).

 With Personalized Health — which includes Interleukin Genetics’s patent protected IP and DNA tests, which we market under the Gensona brand, and the IL-1 Heart Health supplement patented by Nutrilite — we truly have an opportunity to reshape the health care debate in North America, even more so than the politicians campaigning for election at this moment in both the US and Canada.

As of next year, 2009, that same Personalized Health opportunity will be available to our colleagues in Asia as well, when Gensona DNA tests are rolled out for markets there.

Paper Reports Value of Specific Nutritional Products is Dependent on Individual’s Genetic Make-up WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 12

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Researchers at
Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (Amex: ILI), today received the 12th John M. Kinney Award for Nutrition and Metabolism at the annual Congress of the European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, in Florence, Italy. The award was given for the paper, “Interleukin-1 genotype-selective inhibition of inflammatory mediators by a botanical: a nutrigenetics proof of concept,” which was published in Nutrition: The International Journal of Applied and Basic Nutritional Sciences (2007;23:844-852).

Kenneth Kornman, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Interleukin Genetics, and the first author on the publication, commented, “We are honored to receive the 12th

John M. Kinney Award for Nutrition and Metabolism. Many botanical and nutritional supplements claim to provide countless health benefits without being subjected to rigorous clinical study. Our paper reports a well- controlled clinical study has shown the value of specific nutritional products is dependent on an individual’s genetic make-up.” The study, a joint research effort by scientists at Interleukin Genetics and Nutrilite, a division of Alticor Inc., is one of the few controlled clinical trials that has shown the value of specific nutritional products is dependent on an individual’s genetic make-up. The data showed that a proprietary botanical supplement (Nutrilite IL1 Heart Health Supplement) could lower inflammation in individuals who tested positive for pro-inflammatory IL-1 gene variations from Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health Genetic Test. These individuals also had elevated levels of C-reactive protein.

About Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health Genetic Test

Interleukin Genetics’ Heart Health Genetic Test was developed to identify healthy individuals who are genetically predisposed to over-produce inflammation and are at an increased risk for an early first heart attack.

The Heart Health Genetic Test is marketed on a non-exclusive basis [edit: it became non-exclusive for us only as of last week] through Access Business Group International LLC, a division of Alticor Inc. Interleukin Genetics recently announced an agreement with Access Business Group International that will permit the expansion of Interleukin Genetics’ distribution network for such genetic tests.

About Nutrilite IL1 Heart Health Supplement

Nutrilite IL1 Heart Health Supplement, a proprietary botanical supplement, was developed to reduce inflammation in those individuals who are genetic over-producers. The Nutrilite IL1 Heart Health Supplement is currently marketed by Quixtar, Inc., a division of Alticor Inc.

About Interleukin Genetics

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (Amex: ILI), is a genetics-focused personalized health company that develops preventive consumer products and genetic tests for sale to the emerging personalized health market. Focused on the future of health and medicine, Interleukin Genetics uses its leading genetics research and scientific capabilities to develop and test innovative preventive and therapeutic products. Interleukin Genetics currently offers an array of Nutraceuticals and OTCeuticals(R), which are sold at the nation’s largest food, drug and mass retailers, and has commercialized genetic tests for periodontal disease risk assessment, cardiovascular risk assessment, and general nutrition assessment.

Interleukin Genetics is headquartered in Waltham, MA. For more information about Interleukin Genetics, its products and ongoing programs, please visit
www.ilgenetics.com.

Note, of course, that as of last week, Amway Global business owners no longer have the exclusive distribution rights to the Interleukin DNA test IP. Why? Two basic reasons:

(1) Because of Quixtar’ screwed up launch and lack of support for  the Personalized Health product portfolio and health solution two-plus years ago and ongoing. They admitted as much when management acknowledged last year that Personalized Health was the victim of a “launch and abandon” product support mentality that prevailed before Steve Liebeman came on board and took control.

(2) In the old (and growth-destroying) business model — still ‘de facto’ business practice for most – based on the “Systems”-developed and promoted ”buy from yourself and teach others to do the same,” a major product/solution portfolio like Personalized Health was doomed to fail on that count as well. This could just as well be characterized as a “lack of leadership” by organizations which claim to be devoted to teaching leadership principles.

The defining advantage Independent Business Owners still have with Personalized Health is the core “value-add proposition” which we bring to the table — the ability to educate the consumer in a field which requires consumer education to be successful. Under the new retail sales focused paradigm being driven, thankfully, by Steve Lieberman and his new team, Personalized Health finally has an opportunity to flourish, and be the breakout health solution which will take Amway Global in North America way beyond the goals set by Doug DeVos and Steve Van Andel.

 I’m driving down to Portland later today to the Spotlight showcase, and hopefully Personalized Health and Amway Wellness will be getting the “showcase profile” they deserve. With Interleukin Genetics now winning these kinds of international awards for their ground-breaking research, we expect to see Personalized Health being promoted and celebrated front and center.

written by rdknyvr \\ tags: Alticor, Amway Global, Asia, C-reactive protein, DNA tests, Doug DeVos, genetics, Gensona, IL-1 Heart Health Supplement, Independent Business Owners, inflammation, Interleukin Genetics, John M. Kinney Award, Ken Kornman, nutraceuticals, nutrigenomics, Nutrilite, Nutrition, OTCeuticals, Personalized Health, Quixtar, Steve Lieberman, Steve Van Andel

Tantalizing hints about new Transformation changes have been leaking out from Alticor sources to bloggers over at Amway Talk (http://www.amwaytalk.com/) — see post on “Transformation: Major Changes Coming in September.” In addition, some have noted the registration by Alticor or its consultants of the domains Amway Wellness.com and Amway Beauty.com.

Now this morning (July 22) comes the press release below: 

WALTHAM, Mass., July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (Amex: ILI), today announced the launch of an enhanced test report format and information package for the company’s Heart Health Genetic Test. The test is currently marketed under the brand name Gensona(R) Heart Health Genetic Test by Quixtar/Amway. The new report will include quantified risk information on heart attack and coronary artery disease generated from clinical studies and conducted by the company. The company believes that this enhanced report format will provide individuals and their physicians more complete information about a person’s inflammation-based genetic risk factor for a heart attack. The new package also provides information on the science behind the genetic test and information to help people understand preventive measures and actions that can be taken to lower the risk of heart disease.

In addition, the company will conduct scientific lectures on the Gensona(R) test for interested Quixtar/Amway individual business owners at their scheduled conferences. The first of these lectures will be on Saturday morning and afternoon, July 26, 2008 at the Nardone/Melillo/Callendar conference at the Radisson Valley Forge Hotel & Convention Center in Valley Forge, PA. Thousands of attendees are expected at the conference.

Lewis H. Bender, Chief Executive Officer at Interleukin Genetics, commented, “Heart disease is by far the leading killer of Americans. Individuals with different interleukin gene variations have vastly different clinical trajectories for heart disease progression. The ability to know your individual genetic predisposition for this disease is a new and powerful tool to allow a customer and their physicians to design the best preventive care for that person.”

About Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an inflammatory disease in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances found in the blood. When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. Variation in interleukin genes has shown to be associated with different degrees of CAD risk. Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart attack and arrhythmias. CAD is the most common type of heart disease and is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Lifestyle changes, medicines, and/or medical procedures can effectively prevent or treat CAD in most people. Certain cholesterols have also been associated with increased CAD risk. According to the American Heart Association, over 105 million American adults have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher, and 36.6 million American adults have levels of 240 or above. Doctors consider total cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or greater high in adults and levels from 200 to 239 mg/dL borderline-high.

About Interleukin Genetics

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. (Amex: ILI), is a genetics-focused personalized health company that develops preventive consumer products and genetic tests for sale to the emerging personalized health market. Focused on the future of health and medicine, Interleukin uses its leading genetics research and scientific capabilities to develop and test innovative preventive and therapeutic products. For more information about Interleukin, its products and ongoing programs, please visit http://www.ilgenetics.com.

SPEAKING OF AMWAY, how do you  plan to incorporate Gensona and Personalized Health into your Amway Wellness business? Will you be leading with a product opportunity to build a strong, profitable client base from which you will find others who want to build their own part-time businesses? Or will you be leading with a business opportunity and trying to redirect those who are not interested toward products and to become clients?

written by rdknyvr \\ tags: , , American Heart Association, Amway, Amway Talk, Amway Wellness, Callendar, cardiovascular risk assessment, coronary artery disease, general nutrition assessment, genetic predisposition, Gensona, heart attack, heart health, Heart Health Genetic Test, inflammation, inflammatory disease, interleukin genes, Interleukin Genetics, Lewis Bender, lifestyle changes, Melillo, Nardone, Personalized Health, prevention, Quixtar, risk of heart disease, transformation

According to Interleukin Genetics CEO Lew Bender on ILI’s most recent (Q1) conference call ( http://www.ilgenetics.com/ ) and an outside analyst’s report by Dutton & Associates ( http://www.centredaily.com/business/technology/story/668990.html ), we can expect a relaunch of the Gensona and Personalized Health line by Alticor sometime in Q3 (sometime in the period of July 1 to Sept. 30).

 Interestingly, the domain name AmwayWellness.com was registered by an Alticor-contracted consultant (to the best of my knowledge) as of this past Feb. 29, 2008.

And the new weight loss support market research site from Alticor, sponsored by Nutrilite, http://community.mybestsize.com/ comes with pointers to a number of interesting features, including ‘personalized health’-related gurus, and suggests a ramp-up to something exciting coming later this year.

So for those interested in building their product knowledge and expertise in nutrigenomics and optimal health, and developing a health-focused Amway-driven business, here are a few relevent resources to check out.

MP3 “Nutrigenomics, Inflammation and Obesity: A New Paradigm for Personalized Prevention” by Ruth DeBusk, RD, PhD and Colleen Fogarty Draper, MS, RD. MP3 download is $17, CD is $20 plus tax, shipping. Easy to understand for the novice. Ruth DeBusk is on the Nutrilite Science Advisory Board, and Colleen Fogarty Draper, after 6 years with Interleukin Genetics, has recently formed her own consulting/educational company in the area of nutrigenomics. At the link below, see #256 and Product Number 200730131 http://www.intelliquestmedia.com/store/search.php?a=E&c=200730

Courtesy of Colleen Fogarty Draper’s website, the following three downloadable articles provide excellent background reading.

PDF “Nutritional Genomics in Practice: Where Do We Begin?” http://www.nugenso.com/articles/DeBusk_2005.pdf

PDF “Emerging Concepts in Nutrigenomics: A Preview of What Is to Come” http://www.nugenso.com/articles/Kauwell_2005.pdf

PDF “The Genome Health Clinic and Genome Health Nutrigenomic Concepts” (this article by an Australian researcher is more technical, but will be of interest to IBOs with a health sciences background) http://www.nugenso.com/articles/Fenech_2005.pdf

BOOK “Secrets of Supplements: the Good, the Bad, the Totally Terrific” by Gloria Askew, RN and Jerre Paquette, PhD. ISBN: 978-0-9784290-0-3. Gloria is a long-time IBO and has co-authored a very readable, easy to understand book with the beginner in mind. Nowhere does she actually mention the name ‘Nutrilite’ so you can use this book to develop new customers for your Nutrilite product line. The most valuable part of the book is the list of “Ten Totally Terrific Questions” which will guide your prospective client to see that only Nutrilite meets all the key requirements. This book is worth its weight in gold to the Health Business Builder, and for what it’s worth, is being distributed by at least one System (Network 21) in North America and internationally as a key product education resource. 

Free sample chapter and Table of Contents, and online ordering at: http://www.phytemedia.com/  In Canada, Secrets of Suppements can be picked up in store or online at Chapters.

And now for the naughty question… or perhaps more accurately, a knotty question:

In your Quixtar/Amway business, what are you really selling? Are you first and foremost selling a business opportunity, or are you driving a product-based business which has the option of also being duplicated, for those interested in doing so? It’s an important question, and may differentiate between those who are “products of a System” and those who may be operating as non-affiliated “independent” IBOs (if you’ll pardon the redundancy in that).

If the question is unclear, say so and I’ll try to rephrase.

My guess is that if your business is primarily selling a business opportunity, the above resources recommendations were of relatively low relevance to you. If you are focusing on a product-driven business with a strong focus on developing long term clients – and still including networking and duplication — you will make the effort to download and read the documents above, and invest in the Ruth DeBusk MP3 and Gloria Askew’s excellent book on supplements.

SPEAKING OF AMWAY, these are just my thoughts — am I right or wrong?

written by rdknyvr \\ tags: Alticor, Amway, Amway Wellness, Colleen Fogarty Draper, duplication, Dutton & Associates, Gensona, Gloria Askew, inflammation, Interleukin Genetics, Jerre Paquette, Lew Bender, mybestsize.com, networking, nutrigenomics, Nutrilite, obesity, optimal health, Personalized Health, phytemedia.com, product-driven business, Quixtar, Ruth DeBusk, Secrets of Supplements, supplements