Vitamin D Linked to HDL Cholesterol - Shaklee Corporation Research Links Vitamin...

Vitamin D Linked to HDL Cholesterol - Shaklee Corporation Research Links
Vitamin D with Key Biomarkers for Metabolic Syndrome and Heart Disease

PLEASANTON, Calif., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Research supported by Shaklee
Corporation, the number one natural nutrition company in the U.S., shows that
a lower blood vitamin D level is associated with metabolic syndrome and other
risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The study results are currently being presented at the National Lipid
Association Annual Scientific Sessions in Miami, Florida and suggest an
important role of vitamin D nutrition for maintaining cardiovascular health.

Roger Barnett, Chairman and CEO of Shaklee Corporation says, "Shaklee has a 53
year heritage of conducting scientific research as science continues to be the
strategic driver guiding our product development and innovation." The
scientific community is advocating higher intake of vitamin D to address the
suboptimal vitamin D blood levels found in many Americans. Researchers have
linked low vitamin D intakes to osteoporosis or brittle bones, high blood
pressure, heart disease, autoimmune diseases and certain cancers.

This cross-sectional study assessed the relationships between serum
25-hydroxyvitamin D and cardiovascular disease risk markers, including the
metabolic syndrome and its components, in 257 men and women, most of whom were
attending Shaklee's national conference in New Orleans in August, 2008. Total
vitamin D intake and intake of vitamin D from dietary supplements were both
strongly associated with serum vitamin D level. High density lipoprotein
cholesterol (HDL-C or "good cholesterol") concentration increased as vitamin D
intakes increased. Each 10 ng/mL increase in serum vitamin D was associated
with a 4.2 mg/dL increase in HDL-C and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome
decreased significantly as serum vitamin D levels increased.

"Shaklee's heritage has been about improving people's health and well-being
and we are proud of supporting this important research. The findings may have
significant public health implications related to new understanding about
benefits related to vitamin D supplementation," says Dr. Jamie McManus M.D.,
Chairman of Medical Affairs, Health Sciences and Education, Shaklee
Corporation. "Our next study, which is already underway, is intended to
confirm causality by showing that vitamin D supplementation improves
cardiovascular risk factors."

Kevin C. Maki, PhD, the study's Principal Investigator and the Chief Science
Officer of Provident Clinical Research, Glen Ellyn, IL, says, "Results from
population studies suggest that a low serum vitamin D concentration is an
independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, but this is the first
study to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and cardiovascular
risk factors in a group that includes a large number of vitamin D supplement
users." He continues, "Additional research is warranted to assess whether
increasing vitamin D intake will improve the metabolic cardiovascular risk
factor profile."

Shaklee products are available exclusively through Shaklee Independent
Distributors or at www.shaklee.com.

About Shaklee Corporation
Founded more than 50 years ago, Shaklee has been a leading provider of
premium-quality natural nutrition products, personal care products, and
environmentally friendly home care products. In 2000, Shaklee became the first
company in the world to be Climate Neutral(TM) certified to totally offset its
CO2 emissions, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. With a
robust product portfolio, including over 50 patents and patents pending
worldwide, Shaklee has more than 750,000 Members and Distributors worldwide
and operates in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China.
For information about Shaklee, visit Shaklee.com.

SOURCE Shaklee Corporation

Puja Sabharwal, Shaklee PR, psabharwal@shaklee.com, +1-925-924-2225