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In this issue…
♦ Breathe in. Breathe out. Continue… ♦ Fun facts about your lungs
♦ The respiratory system: A remarkable design for life
♦ Seasonal allergies: How they disrupt daily life
♦ Shaklee nutrition for strong, healthy lungs
♦ Breathing exercises for lung health
♦ Want to switch to a clean, aluminum-free deodorant? Here’s how…
♦ What’s NOT inside…
“One of the most important [muscles] in the involuntary [muscle] group is the heart. The [heart] muscle… and those of the lungs, in the act of breathing… perform ceaselessly, relaxing only at short intervals. It is during these periods of relaxation that they are able to free themselves of poisonous waste and fatigue acids, as well as absorbing their nutrition.
Don’t make their job any more difficult than it already is [by failing to supply the nutritional substances necessary to maintain them].“
~ A Study Course in Nutrition by Forrest Shaklee Sr., DC, DD
Breathe in. Breathe out. Continue…
Breathing is something we rarely think about… yet it plays a powerful role in overall health. Your respiratory system takes nearly 20,000 breaths each day, delivering oxygen to trillions of cells while removing carbon dioxide and other metabolic waste.
This process begins as air enters your nose, where it is filtered and conditioned before moving
into your lungs. Inside, millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli allow oxygen to enter your bloodstream while carbon dioxide is released and expelled.
Oxygen fuels cellular energy production, supports brain function, and helps maintain stamina. At the same time, efficient removal of carbon dioxide helps regulate your body’s internal balance and overall wellness.
Healthy breathing supports more than lung function… it contributes to immune resilience, energy levels, and physical performance. Understanding how your respiratory system works helps you make informed choices to support lung health, so every breath contributes to stronger, healthier living.
Fun facts about your lungs
In humans, the right lung is larger than the left lung in order to make room for the heart.
⇒⇒ The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung only has two.
⇒⇒ Lungs can float on water.
⇒⇒ If the lungs were unfolded and expanded out to their fullest size, they’d be roughly the size of a tennis court.
⇒⇒ Seventy percent of waste is eliminated through your lungs just by breathing.
⇒⇒ The lungs are delicate organs that need protection. The ribcage and the muscles between the ribs serves as their shield.
The respiratory system: A remarkable design for life
The respiratory system is an elegant network designed to deliver oxygen throughout the body with remarkable efficiency. The process begins as air enters the nose or mouth, where it is filtered, warmed, and humidified before traveling down the trachea into the lungs. The trachea divides into two bronchi, which branch into smaller bronchioles… forming a tree-like structure that maximizes airflow and gas exchange.
The cellular breathing process
When fully expanded, the lungs provide approximately 70 square meters of surface area, all protected within the chest cavity. At the end of the smallest airways lie about 300 million alveoli, microscopic air sacs where oxygen moves into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is removed. These delicate structures are only one cell thick, allowing gas exchange to occur within fractions of a second. Oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells and is transported throughout the body, fueling cellular energy production.
Natural defense mechanisms
The respiratory system also includes sophisticated defense mechanisms. Mucus lining the airways traps dust, bacteria, and other particles, while tiny hair-like cilia sweep debris upward for removal. Additional protection comes from immune cells, antibodies, and reflexes such as coughing and sneezing, which help clear irritants before they reach deeper lung tissue.
Breathing mechanics and muscle coordination
Breathing itself is powered by coordinated muscle activity. The diaphragm contracts and flattens, expanding the chest cavity and drawing air into the lungs. When these muscles relax, air is released. At rest, most individuals take 12–16 breaths per minute, but during exercise, breathing becomes deeper and more frequent to meet increased oxygen demands.
Supporting optimal respiratory function
Supporting respiratory health involves simple yet powerful lifestyle choices. Avoiding tobacco smoke, maintaining good indoor air quality, staying hydrated, eating a clean diet, supplementing strategically, and engaging in regular cardiovascular exercise all support lung function. Deep breathing exercises may also help strengthen respiratory muscles and promote relaxation.
So… breathe in, breathe out and… continue!
The respiratory system is a masterpiece of biological engineering. By understanding how it works and making daily choices that support lung health, individuals can help ensure that every breath contributes to long-term energy, resilience, and overall well-being.
Seasonal allergies: How they disrupt daily life
Seasonal allergies can makes everyday activities feel more difficult. When allergens like pollen trigger an immune response, symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and fatigue often follow, interfering with sleep, concentration, and productivity. Targeted nutritional support may help maintain immune balance and support respiratory comfort during allergy season:
____ Alfalfa Complex: Provides natural phytonutrients that support the body’s natural response to seasonal allergens
____ Vita-E Complex: Its anti-inflammatory properties minimize inflammation in the airways and nasal passages.
____ Sustained Release Vita-C & Chewable Vita-C: Supports immune function and histamine balance
____ Triple Defense Boost: Comprehensive immune support boosts Natural Killer cell activity by 3x and critical immune cells by 5.8x
____ Zinc Complex: Crucial for keeping the immune system in balance
____ NutriFeron: Helps support immune system readiness with an exclusive, patented interferon-boosting formula
____ Turmeric Boost: Can prevent the release of histamine and alleviate nasal congestion, sneezing, and congestion, and other allergy symptoms
____ Optiflora DI: Gut health support linked to immune balance
____ Vita-D3: Supports immune resilience
Triple Defense Boost
Shaklee nutrition for strong, healthy lungs
The lungs work continuously to deliver oxygen, remove carbon dioxide, and protect the body from environmental stressors. Because the respiratory system is constantly exposed to pollutants, allergens, and oxidative stress, nutrition plays a central role in maintaining lung health and resilience.
Antioxidants
: Protecting delicate lung tissue
Lung tissue is especially vulnerable to oxidative stress. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals and support healthy respiratory function. Shaklee Sustained Release Vita-C and Chewable Vita-C provide vitamin C, which supports immune function and helps protect respiratory tissues.
Chewable Vita-C®
CarotoMax delivers a blend of carotenoids that su
pport cellular protection and lung tissue integrity.
Vitamin E also plays a key protective role. Shaklee Vita-E Complex and Vita-E 400 IU plus Selenium help protect cell membranes and support immune health. Selenium works synergistically with vitamin E to strengthen antioxidant defenses throughout the respiratory system.
Omega-3s and anti-inflammatory support
Inflammation can affect airway comfort and respiratory function. Omega-3 fatty acids help support a healthy inflammatory response and promote lung wellness. OmegaGuard provides high-quality omega-3 fatty acids that support cardiovascular and respiratory health, helping maintain flexible airways and healthy circulation.
Omega 3’s | The Science and Benefits
Vitamin D and immune defense
Low vitamin D levels have been associated with reduced immune resilience and increased susceptibility to respiratory challenges. Vita-D3 supports immune health and helps maintain optimal vitamin D levels for respiratory wellness.
Minerals for breathing efficiency
Breathing relies on muscle coordination and electrolyte balance. Magnesium helps relax airway muscles, while potassium supports fluid balance and muscle function. VitalMag provides magnesium and potassium to support respiratory muscle function and comfortable breathing.
Calcium also supports muscle contraction and nerve signaling. OsteoMatrix and Chewable Cal Mag Plus provide calcium along with supporting minerals for overall muscular and respiratory support.
Oxygen transport and iron
Iron plays a critical role in oxygen transport. Hemoglobin in red blood cells carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. Iron plus C Complex provides iron with vitamin C to support absorption and maintain healthy oxygen delivery.
Hydration and foundational support
Proper hydration helps maintain airway moisture and supports mucus clearance. Electrolyte+ Hydration & Focus Drink Mix in Blood Orange or Raspberry Melon supports hydration and electrolyte balance.
Together with foundational nutrition such as Vita-Lea, these nutrients work synergistically to support respiratory resilience, immune function, and energy.
Supporting your lungs with targeted nutrition helps ensure that every breath supports vitality, resilience, and long-term health.
Hydration, inflammation & everyday comfort
Hydration is one of the most overlooked tools in pain management. Even mild dehydration can increase fatigue, headaches, muscle tightness, and sensitivity to discomfort. Water supports circulation, helps move metabolic waste out of the body, and plays a role in regulating inflammation… all key factors in how the body experiences pain. Staying hydrated also helps muscles contract and relax properly, reducing the likelihood of cramps and spasms that can worsen aches. While plain water is essential, replacing electrolytes lost through daily activity is equally important for maintaining fluid balance and steady energy. That’s where Shaklee Electrolyte+ Hydration & Focus Drink Mix can fit in. Available in refreshing Blood Orange or Raspberry Melon, it delivers electrolytes to support hydration plus gentle focus support… helping you feel more balanced and less drained during busy days. Pair it with water-rich foods like cucumbers or watermelon and consistent daily hydration habits.
When hydration becomes intentional, the body often responds with better comfort, improved recovery, and greater overall well-being.
Breathing exercises for lung health
Breathing exercises do more than promote relaxation… they help strengthen the muscles that support healthy lung function. The diaphragm, along with chest and abdominal m
uscles, works continuously to move air in and out of the lungs. Strengthening these muscles can improve breathing efficiency and support oxygen delivery throughout the body.
Activities such as brisk walking, yoga, and controlled deep breathing exercises can help expand lung capacity and improve respiratory endurance. These exercises may also help reduce tension, support better posture, and promote overall comfort when breathing.
Consistent breathing exercises* can help improve stamina, support daily activity, and enhance overall wellness. By strengthening your breathing muscles, you support your lungs and help your body function more efficiently every day.
*For more information about breathing exercises for lung health, visit these websites:
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-procedures-and-tests/lung-function-tests
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9445-diaphragmatic-breathing
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-increase-lung-capacity
https://www.webmd.com/balance/types-of-breathing-exercises
https://www.cdc.gov/air-quality/about/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/air/default.htm
Want to switch to a clean, aluminum-free deodorant? Here’s how…
Not all deodorants work the same way. Many conventional products are actually antiperspirants, designed to block sweat using aluminum salts. While this may reduce wetness, it also interferes with the body’s natural cooling and detoxification process.
Clean deodorants, like Shaklee Protect Deodorant, take a different approach. Instead of blocking sweat, they help neutralize odor while allowing your body to function naturally. Since sweat itself is odorless, body odor typically develops when bacteria break down moisture on the skin.
Protect Deodorant offers multi-level odor protection with thoughtfully selected ingredients:
♦♦ Charcoal and arrowroot powders help absorb moisture without blocking pores
♦♦ Zinc salts help neutralize odor-causing bacteria
♦♦ Plant-based amino acid derivatives help balance skin pH
♦♦ Fermented coconut extract supports a healthy skin microbiome
♦♦ Vitamin E, muscadine grape seed oil, and omegas help nourish and soothe skin
The result is a clean, nutrient-rich deodorant that supports natural perspiration while keeping you fresh and comfortable.
Protect Deodorant is designed to keep you feeling fresh every day in a way that works with your body, not against it.
What’s NOT inside…
Here are some ingredients you might find in conventional deodorants that you won’t find in Protect.
♦♦ Protect Deodorant is aluminum-free. Aluminum salts block your pores and your body’s natural process of perspiration.
♦♦ Protect Deodorant doesn’t use baking soda. While baking soda can absorb moisture and neutralize odor, it can irritate sensitive skin.
♦♦ Protect Deodorant is free of 2,500 questionable ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, aluminum, sodium bicarbonate, artificial colorants, and GMOs found in many other products.