Monthly Archives: September 2004

Teaching and reaching out to others

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Dr. Yu-Shiaw Chen—Stony Brook, NY

From her earliest days as a child in Taiwan, Dr. Yu-Shiaw Chen recalls helping her mother take care of her grandparents and younger siblings. By the age of five, she was already demonstrating entrepreneurial and leadership skills by tutoring her younger sisters, and by eight, she was cooking for the entire family. 

Yu-Shiaw’s strong sense of responsibility and devotion to others are traits that have followed her throughout life—eventually leading her to the prestigious rank of Chairman’s Club at AIM. 

Bringing honor to her family

A good student, Yu-Shiaw attended a very highly ranked all-girls high school in Taipei. She brought honor and pride to her family when she eventually went on to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in botany from the National Taiwan University. 

After graduation, she joined the ranks of her alma mater as a faculty member and taught plant physiology for five years, while co-authoring a laboratory manual for her students to use. 

But Yu-Shiaw’s mother had always encouraged her daughter to go abroad, expand her horizons, and pursue advanced study. Yu-Shiaw dreamed of coming to the United States. Then, one day, just as she was making these plans, her mother died in a tragic traffic accident. 

Determined to fulfill her responsibility and bring further honor to her family, Yu-Shiaw remained in Taiwan for two more years, putting her own dreams on hold, while she continued to take care of her family. 

Early dreams fulfilled 

Finally, in 1976, Yu-Shiaw was offered a scholarship to attend the Mount Sinai School of Medicine at the City University of New York. It was the opportunity of her dreams! Now married with a child of her own, Yu-Shiaw eagerly accepted the position and prepared for the move to New York, where she eventually earned her Ph.D. in biochemistry. 

Her work as a biomedical research scientist was fulfilling. During these years, Dr. Chen authored no less than 19 papers that were published in scientific journals, and worked at two prestigious biotechnology companies—all the while, adjusting to American life as a working wife and mother, and maintaining close contact with her family and culture in Taiwan. 

Her ‘scientific’ discovery 

In those early days as a research scientist, Dr. Chen began to hear more and more about a green barley product. At first, her sister in Taiwan mentioned the product, and she asked Dr. Chen to find this American product and send it to her. She located several jars of the ‘funny-looking green barley powder’ and sent it off to her sister in Taiwan. 

Then, one day while working in the research laboratory, Dr. Chen’s boss came into the lab with a jar of green barley. He handed the jar to Dr. Chen and asked her to analyze its contents. After extracting the active ingredients of the green powder, Dr. Chen was simply amazed by the results. 

“The results showed very strong antioxidant activity,” said Dr. Chen. “I was very excited and eager to show my boss the results.” 

Coincidentally, Dr. Chen began to hear personal testimonies of others that used the product. Even her sister said to her, “You keep sending this green barley product to us, and now, you must try it for yourself!” 

Her first steps 

At that time, Dr. Chen was experiencing some difficulties with anemia. And it’s no wonder—Dr. Chen was extremely busy with raising a family, working full-time, authoring research papers, and keeping close ties to her family in Taiwan—all the while adapting to life in America. 

When Dr. Chen read about the high iron content of green barley, she began taking it immediately, and elected to drop her daily iron pill. Three months later, at her doctor’s visit, her physician was in for quite a shock! Her hemoglobin count was significantly improved. She did not need to return to the doctor. 

Looking at the great results, Dr. Chen began to ponder the contribution she was making in life. She recalls thinking: “I could spend the rest of my life conducting superb lab experiments and writing scientific papers, but what kind of contribution am I really making to mankind? Am I really helping anybody?” 

Vegetarian lunches…and more! 

With this realization, Dr. Chen quickly expanded her educational horizons in the area of nutrition, earning her certificate in nutrition from American Health Science University. She began to focus on diet and lifestyle changes along with the AIM products. 

Nutritional counseling and coaching has become a highlight in Dr. Chen’s outreach. She also teaches Chinese fragrance exercises where she has an opportunity to meet with others who are interested in new approaches toward improved health. 

Almost everyone, with whom she comes into contact, receives an invitation to one of her ‘famous’ vegetarian lunches. At these monthly lunch meetings that she hosts in her home, Dr. Chen begins by serving a refreshing drink of AIM BarleyLife® or the AIM Garden Trio®. Not only does this capture everyone’s attention, but it has become the perfect way to get everyone talking about good nutrition. “The results have been phenomenal,” claims Dr. Chen. 

Ever the teacher, Dr. Chen has taught AIM Teleclasses™ and has also conducted nutrition classes for her local community school district. One of her most popular classes is a 10-week weight loss course. 

But teaching and counseling is not enough for Dr. Chen. She also travels widely to do public speaking about lifestyle and nutrition. Even her sisters in Taiwan participate by arranging public speaking engagements for her when she visits her native homeland. 

Wherever she goes, Dr. Chen attributes her success to others who are eager to learn more about nutrition—and about the AIM products. “AIM has provided some very important tools, from the excellent products, to the AIM Teleclasses™, to the methods for building downline. I couldn’t have done it without the AIM company,” she notes. 

Giving thanks! 

Above all, Dr. Chen feels most thankful for her AIM directors and downline, for their endless support and encouragement; and, for her husband, Kenneth Hsieh, who has been there for her since the very beginning. 

But she says, “Being an AIM Member for 12 years and becoming a Chairman’s Club Member is a great achievement, but I’m not going to stop there. My mission is still to improve as many people’s lives as I can through nutrition and education. 

Dr. Chen is planning to write a book about her nutritional counseling experiences, and we all look forward to reading it. But for now, Dr. Chen continues to bring honor to her family—her AIM family—as a distinguished Member of the AIM Chairman’s Club!

Miss Lewis County (WA) took her AIM BarleyLife®—and look where she is today!

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We were introduced to AIM’s green barley product in 1986, the year our daughter, Brittany, was born. Brittany was old enough to beg for food and that is what she did. While I was taking the green barley powder, I decided to spoon some powder into her mouth to see what she would do. She loved it and wanted more. This was the beginning of a lifetime of wonderful nutrition for her, feeding her body and mind. 

At age three, Brittany could put a wooden puzzle of the United States together with record speed. She knew the names of the states and where each went along with the capital. Brittany’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge never ceased to amaze us, and she completely retained it. We began directing her to the “book of knowledge” because we would sometimes get tired of answering questions. 

Brittany enrolled in college classes in her junior year of high school. Our state has a program called “Running Start” where college classes also give high school credit. While taking these college courses, Brittany also kept up her high school grade point average, and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class. 

In the fall of her senior year, Brittany was approached to run for the title of Miss Lewis County (WA). Brittany had to think about it as far as time commitment, but decided that if God could use her in this way, then she would leave it up to Him. On Feb. 7, Brittany was crowned Miss Lewis County. As her talent, she sang “I Believe.” 

On July 2 and 3, Brittany participated as one of the youngest contestants in the competition for Miss Washington at the Pantages Theater in Tacoma. There, she sang the popular vocal “You Raise Me Up.” 

Charlotte Hoff 

Napavine, WA 

Brittany says that she would one day like to teach or counsel in education, or become involved in music ministry. We wish Brittany every future success in whatever she endeavors to try next. We know that she already has a winning start by taking AIM BarleyLife®, and by having the love and support of such a wonderful family.
—Editor

AIM royal emerald director promotion:Peter and Carrie Malkmus

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Peter and Carrie Malkmus are grateful for the people they’ve met through AIM, as well as for the flexibility that the AIM business has afforded them in raising their children and meeting educational goals. 

AIM Members since 1994, Peter restores log homes, while Carrie is a homemaker and is very active in the nutritional field. With their extra income, Carrie was able to go back to the University of Tennessee as a full-time student to get her Master’s Degree in Nutrition. 

“Now, our extra income allows us to enjoy spending time with our children.” The couple has three children: Dylan, Zackary, and Cade. 

The couple’s favorite sales tool is simple—a bottle of AIM BarleyLife®! With that, their favorite AIM product is the AIM Garden Trio®. 

When asked about their secret to success, Peter and Carrie agree that “putting people and their needs first and the product second” is priority. “Our motive is to help people.” 

A typical business day usually involves calling people, sending e-mails, and doing follow up. Although they state, “It’s important to get outside your comfort zone, to meet new people, and to share the AIM products.” They also favor home meetings. 

“We hold frequent meetings to touch people’s lives. We introduce them to vegetarian foods and the AIM products. We keep a very casual setting, so people feel comfortable and invite others to come.” 

What other advice would they offer? “Think for yourself, do your own research, and trust God to lead you in the direction you should go.” 

“Putting Christ first in your life is the most important thing you can do,” they add. 

Through their involvement with AIM, “We’ve met some really great people we would not have met otherwise. We’ve developed lasting, life-long friendships with many people, for which we are thankful.” 

Spending time together with their children is important to the couple. 

Finally, as a guiding principle, they further state that “putting Christ first in all that you do and the decisions you make will bring far greater rewards, than just making money. We need to get back to the reality of what is really important.”

Improved nutrition begins with a healthy digestive system

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Here’s how ‘good’ bacteria and enzymes can help…

Digestive problems are perhaps the most common health concern in North America today, particularly as we continue to eat high-fat content, highly processed foods. With our frequent trips to the restaurant drive-through window, not to mention our participation in the latest fad diet craze, it’s no wonder our digestive systems are a mess! 

Many digestive problems can be prevented through a healthy lifestyle. Getting the proper amounts of fiber, fruits and vegetables, and not eating on the run, may be a healthful start. At times, we may also see the need to supplement with beneficial bacteria and helpful enzymes that our digestive systems need to function efficiently. 

Are you deficient in digestive enzymes? 

If you have frequent bloated stomach, belching, burping, gas, fatigue, weight issues, headaches, constipation, to mention but a few—then you may have a digestive concern that should warrant your attention. 

Enzymes are the sparks that cause or speed up the essential chemical reactions that the body needs to live. Digestive enzymes are particularly important since they allow the foods we eat to digest more completely so that we can use the food’s energy more efficiently. 

‘Leaky gut’ and more… 

As we age, the body produces fewer enzymes. Daily living also depletes the body’s source of enzymes by placing tremendous demand on body systems through stress, strenuous exercise, illness, extreme weather conditions, and the loss of perspiration, urine and feces. Pasteurization, microwaving, hybridization (or genetically modifying foods), and excess intake of hydrogenated fats can cause further depletion of digestive enzymes. 

When foods are not well digested, they remain in the stomach where they rot and putrefy. This results in buildup of waste in the colon. As fecal matter begins to decay, bacteria produce toxins. The toxins eventually seep through the bowel wall, where blood capillaries pick them up and distribute them throughout the body, causing havoc on the body systems. This process is sometimes known as ‘leaky gut’ syndrome. 

Of all foods, protein may be the major contributor to intestinal toxemia (‘leaky gut’ syndrome). Proteins are building blocks of the body and are necessary to transport vitamins and minerals to the bloodstream. However, protein is also the most difficult dietary constituent to digest. 

“Contrary to the information on fad diets currently promoted by some popular books, a diet that is high in protein can actually contribute to disease and other health problems,” according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.1 

High protein diets may weaken the pancreas, which in turn, may fail to provide the necessary enzymes to digest the protein in the first place. Certainly, a vicious cycle that can lead to immune deficiency and leave a person vulnerable to chronic infections or disease. 

Supplementing with AIM PrepZymes® 

Raw foods have functional, live enzymes; however, raw foods provide just enough enzymes to digest that particular food only—there is no extra to digest cooked or processed foods. And, many people find the fiber content in large quantities of raw food difficult to digest. 

There are many designer enzyme formulas in the marketplace, but AIM PrepZymes® is considered to be a complete general enzyme formula. What makes it so special? The enzymes are cultured, strained off, and purified, so no fungi, bacteria, or yeast remain in the product. AIM PrepZymes® also contains an extract of papaya fruit, which assists in protein digestion, and has a soothing effect on the stomach. A known metabolic stimulant, garlic has also been added, which may aid in digestion, contribute antioxidants, and offer antibacterial and antifungal properties. 

A good digestive formula will contain a variety of enzymes that address every type of food ingested: protein, fats, starches, dairy, plant, vegetable material and sugar. AIM’s complete general formula addresses the variety of foods we eat. Each capsule of AIM PrepZymes® contains: 

  • Protease I & II to aid protein digestion
  • Amylase—to aid carbohydrate digestion
  • Lipase—to aid in fat and oil digestion
  • Cellulase—for dietary fiber digestion
  • Invertase—for digestion of sugar
  • Maltase—for malt sugars and grain digestion
  • Lactase—for dairy product digestion

Supplementing with digestive enzymes is a good way to efficiently break down protein, carbohydrates and fats, thereby stimulating the good bacteria in the gut, and detoxifying and cleansing the colon. As an added benefit, with a clean colon, we utilize more nutrients, eat less, and maintain a stable weight. 

How important is beneficial bacteria? 

There are upwards of one hundred trillion bacteria in the digestive system. A healthy balance of intestinal flora (bacteria) is considered integral to good health. The so-called ‘friendly’ bacteria counteract unfriendly bacteria in the digestive process by: 

  • aiding in the digestion of food
  • cleaning the intestinal tract
  • purifying the colon
  • promoting regular bowel movements
  • establishes a healthy balance of good bacteria in the intestinal tract:
  • balances the intestinal pH
  • promotes the destruction of molds, viruses and parasites
  • protects us from environmental toxins
  • increases the number of immune system cells
  • helps to manufacture vitamins and essential fatty acids
  • assists in maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels
  • breaks down and rebuilds hormones.

With so many benefits, it’s easy to see that when the ratio of good to bad bacteria in the intestines has become skewed, a host of health problems may result. 

Supplementing with AIM FloraFood® 

Multi-strain probiotic products are more likely to show health benefits than those formulas with only one strain of friendly bacteria. Generally, it is recognized that minimal concentrations should not be less than 1 billion viable cells per dose. AIM’s FloraFood® meets all of these requirements. It is a powerful probiotic formula packed with three essential bacteria: L. acidophilus, B. longum, and B. bifidum, to provide a better balance of intestinal flora. And, AIM is proud to guarantee 1 billion good bacteria cells per capsule until expiration in 

AIM FloraFood®. 

If product superiority weren’t enough, AIM’s FloraFood® is easy to use since no refrigeration is required. Through a unique and proprietary processing method, AIM FloraFood® will remain stable at room temperature. This makes AIM’s product particularly convenient to use when traveling. 

Dr. Michael Murray, N.D., states, “The intestinal flora is intimately involved in the host’s nutritional status and affects the immune system function, cholesterol, metabolism, carcinogenesis, and aging.”2 Our overall health is greatly influenced by the balance of friendly and unfriendly bacteria in our digestive system, and AIM FloraFood® can help. 

AIM FloraFood® and AIM PrepZymes® are best taken with meals. You may take AIM FloraFood® with other AIM products; however, AIM PrepZymes® will break down the bacteria in AIM FloraFood®, so take these products with alternate meals. As always, it is best to consult with a healthcare practitioner before adding anything new your diet. 

1“The Protein Myth,” Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Washington, DC, 2003.

2Boris, et al. Infect. Immun. 66(5): 1985-1989, 1998.