Amway’s new Begin 30 program focuses on holistic wellness, including nutrition guidance with a gut-first approach to help support overall health & wellbeing.
Emerging science suggests the impact of a healthy gut extends beyond digestion, influencing other body functions like immune health, weight, sleep and more. Scientists believe that a balanced gut microbiome — the ecosystem of bacteria that live in the intestines —can help positively impact overall wellbeing.
In Amway’s 2024 Habits and Healthspan Survey, where 1,000 people between 18 and 70 were interviewed, 62% of consumer respondents reported experiencing occasional gut issues in the past. As a health and wellbeing company driven by science, Amway is launching a program that focuses on integrating healthy lifestyle habits – including gut-focused diet recommendations – to support overall health and wellbeing.
Global R&D Leader, Amway
Amway’s research and development team is comprised of more than 800 scientists, engineers, and technicians in 75 scientific labs around the world. Among them is one of Amway’s Global R&D Leaders, Dr. Nikky Contractor, a distinguished scientist in nutrition, health and wellness, with a PhD in Immunology. She explains that there are four pillars of wellness – nutrition, hydration, exercise, and mindfulness.
When it comes to the first pillar — nutrition — plants, protein, and fiber are key to a healthy diet. Many factors in daily life affect the gut microbiome, with diet being one of the most powerful influences. She recommends focusing on healthy fats; limiting unhealthy fats and sugar; and notes that a good rule of thumb is to ensure 60% of all daily calories come from gut-friendly foods.
“Everything you eat interacts with your gut microbiome, which can impact the function of your gut,” Contractor said.
Staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to support gut health and overall wellness. Drink at least half of your bodyweight (lbs) in ounces of water a day and consume high-water foods like fruits and vegetables.
Regular exercise is at the core of the third pillar. The program recommends getting at least 75 minutes of physical activity weekly with a suggested goal of walking 7,000-10,000 steps every day.
The fourth pillar, mindfulness, encourages slowing down and focusing on the present, whether that involves meditating, attending a yoga class, or journaling.
“If you can take the time to be mindful to help lower your stress levels, that will, in turn, positively impact your overall health,” Contactor said.
Understanding the pivotal role of gut health and healthy lifestyle habits on overall wellbeing, Amway is launching the Nutrilite™ Begin 30 Holistic Wellness Program in January 2025 to help people focus on these four wellness pillars.
Chief Marketing Officer, Amway North America
“We continue to look for ways to take advantage of emerging science and enhance our product portfolio,” said Chief Marketing Officer for Amway North America, Kelli Templeton. Templeton has been with Amway for more than 25 years and has helped drive its strategic evolution toward health and wellbeing. “We are putting a laser focus on one key area in the body that emerging science suggests may have a profound impact, [which is] the gut. That’s why we’re so excited to bring the Begin 30 program to consumers across the U.S.”
The 30-day program prompts participants to make small lifestyle changes to their nutrition, hydration, exercise, and mindfulness habits. Amway also recommends three Nutrilite™ products that pair with the Begin 30 program; and the Amway™ Wellbeing+ app helps participants stay on track with features like a daily log, tips and tricks, recipes, and more to support their journey.
“Consumers in the U.S. are increasingly focused on ways they can support their overall health and wellbeing,” said Templeton. “As a global leader in this space, our Nutrilite™ brand has been dedicated to doing exactly that by providing simple, holistic wellness solutions consumers want and need for the last 90 years.”
Amway’s Habits and Healthspan Survey also reveals a disconnect in healthy habit formation. Fifty-seven percent of respondents who engaged in healthy lifestyle behaviors in the past 12 months say they started because of medical reasons, even though almost all (98%) of the parents and caregivers surveyed agreed it’s important that their children establish a healthy lifelong routine before they turn 18. Amway’s goal with initiatives such as the Begin 30 Holistic Wellness Program is to make it easier to implement and maintain healthy habits and ultimately live better, healthier lives.
The Begin 30 Program aims to help people improve their overall wellbeing. Based on self-reported survey results compared to baseline after four weeks, 96% of program participants were likely to continue parts of the regimen on their own. Come feel the difference that 30 days can make!
“You have to make many small changes to enable that big change,” said Dr. Contractor.
To join the 30-day challenge and purchase products, contact your Amway Independent Business Owner, go to amway.com/begin30, or call 1-800-253-6500.
LCSW, BuenQamino
Planning ahead helps to relieve travel-related stress. Research the cuisine of your destination to find out what is readily available and accommodates your dietary requirements. Use travel blogs, local associations, and free apps like Find Me Gluten Free as resources.
You can request special meals on most international flights, though packing snacks and a backup meal is always a good idea. If you have a peanut allergy, inform the airline ahead of time so they do not serve peanuts on the flight. Also, contact your hotel, B&B, hostel, or resort before you arrive to see if they cater to your food restrictions. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Allergy translation cards help list your food restrictions in terms the person reading it will comprehend. Learn a few key words in the local language by using a free app like Duolingo to get started.
In addition to your usual allergen-friendly toiletries, bring anything that helps mitigate exposure stress such as EpiPens, charcoal, anti-histamines, etc. Pack a few days’ worth of extra medication and supplements in case your flight is delayed, and always carry it on. You wouldn’t want those getting delayed or lost.
Purchase whole food items, such as meats, fruits, vegetables, eggs, nuts, and seeds from the local grocery store for cooking or snacking. If you have access to a private kitchen, clean the area thoroughly, and bring your own cooking utensils as an extra precaution.
Carry on-the-go snacks and food to maintain a healthy caloric intake. In addition, keep small condiments with you can to spruce up any bland dish.
This is great to have for support and backup, as it covers hospital stays and premature departures. Generally, there is also a 24/7 nurses line.
This is a wonderful invention that helps keep your food free from contamination in shared toasters and grills.
Thanks to citizen science, there are portable tech devices that can test for anything over 20 PPM of gluten. Peanut sensors are also available.
Anxiety is not a great travel companion, especially when experiencing a reaction. Meditation can help you to focus on your breath and stay calm.
Christina P. Kantzavelos, LCSW, BuenQamino, [email protected]