Costco Connection - June 2007

for your health

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Teresa Thompson Pharmacy Buyer

Protein power in a powder

THERE’S NOTHING HEALTHY about carrying too much weight. More than 130 million Americans are overweight or obese, putting them at increased risk for developing hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke— just a few of the serious consequences.

I’m excited about a new diet medication called alli™ that is scheduled for a nationwide introduction on June 13 and will be available at all U.S. Costco warehouse locations. Originally available by prescription with a different name and dosage, it has the distinction of being the only FDA-approved over-the-counter weight-loss drug.

alli is more than a pill; it’s a comprehensive program that works in conjunction with a sensible diet and exercise to increase weight loss by as much as 50 percent more than dieting alone.

Unlike other weight-loss products, alli is not an appetite suppressant and does not affect the brain or the central nervous system. Taken at mealtime, alli works in the digestive system to block about 25 percent of fat from being digested, making fewer calories available. This calorie deficit leads to weight loss.

Consuming a meal with too much fat while taking alli can result in having an urgent need to use the bathroom. These effects can be managed by sticking to the recommended diet with about 15 grams of fat per meal.

As with any weight-loss program, be sure to check with your doctor before starting this plan. For more information, go to www.myalli.com, where you will find an individualized online action plan. Also, most Costco locations and costco.com will be carrying The alli Diet Plan, by Caroline Apovian, M.D. C

FOR YEARS, PROTEIN powder was assumed to be something solely for weightlifters—a product to be used only if you wanted to bulk up for Muscle Beach.

While it’s true that protein is an important component of a muscle builder’s regimen, it is by no means confined to elite athletic groups. Everyone can benefit from getting enough protein, and protein powder is a simple, effective way to supplement your daily supply.

“Protein not only helps build muscle, it can help prevent muscle loss as we get older,” says Greg Shavey, a Costco buyer. “If someone is on a restricted diet, a vegan or vegetarian, or is lactose intolerant, he or she is probably not getting enough protein.”

All protein powders are not equal, however. It’s important, says Greg, that you find a product with the right blend.

The more popular protein supplements are blends of several types of proteins, including whey, egg, soy and casein. The benefits of a blend are the rates of absorption and the different amino acids that each protein provides.

Costco offers EAS Premium Protein, which uses a proprietary blend of three pro-

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teins: casein, whey and soy.

“This represents one of the best values on the market,” says Greg. “EAS is a well-established company with a great reputation for very high quality standards. Premium Protein is a complete-protein source that delivers essential amino acids to energize and repair muscles. And it’s ‘instantized,’ so it mixes easily with your favorite beverage.”