Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Daily Energy – Get Yours from 3 Simple Sources

Did you know that according to a study published in "USA Today" 26% of Americans claim to get a good nights sleep only a few days a month? A further 24% of those surveyed claim to get a good nights sleep only a few days a week. Many sources report that Americans are sleep-deprived and lacking in daily energy. Most of those Americans reach for coffee in the morning and energy drinks in the afternoon. If you do the same, then you know all about the crash that happens in the late afternoon or evening. It's not a pretty picture.

Luckily there are simple and natural supplement sources you can use to boost your daily energy that can help you avoid an energy crash by the end of the day. Most people don't know about these sources or overlook them as they reach for the caffeine. These sources include Coenzyme Q10, DHEA, and glycogen.

** Coenzyme Q10 **
Most scientists estimate that you have about 100 trillion cells in your body, and every one of those cells needs to be fed if you want to have a high level of daily energy. To feed your cells you need Coenzyme Q10. According to an article in "M. D. News," Coenzyme Q10 works with our cells to produce 95% of the energy our bodies use. So when you don't have enough Coenzyme Q10 in your body, which happens as you age, you feel tired. The same article points out that when you buy Coenzyme Q10 make sure you are getting Q10 and not the lesser versions, such as Coenzyme Q1 through Q9 (which are often found at your local drugstore). Finally, most people need 10 to 30 mg of Coenzyme Q10 daily to get benefit.

** DHEA **
Most people associate DHEA, which is dehydro-epiandrosterone, with menopausal women since it is the precursor of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. But recent research (and there have been more than 5,000 articles published on the positive health effects of supplemental DHEA in the last 5 years) indicates that DHEA plays a vital part in cellular energy production. As we age, our bodies produce less and less DHEA, which means that we feel less and less energetic. Translation? If you need more daily energy, don't reach for the caffeine. Instead, reach for a bottle of DHEA. Most adults feel an increase in energy with just 100 mg per day.

** Glycogen **
Last but not least on the list of daily energy supplements is glycogen. Glycogen is the fuel that is stored in our livers and converted to glucose when we need a quick burst of energy. In a cave man, the liver would use glycogen any time the "fight or flight" response was triggered. In modern times our bodies need glycogen any time we are under stress or need a quick energy fix. The best sources of glycogen are meats including liver and most cuts of meat available in your grocery store. Another alternative is properly processed blue-green algae from Klamath Lake. This algae's cell wall is made up of glycogen that your body can use right away. So if you're on the run and don't have time to stop by the cafeteria for liver and onions, pop a couple of capsules of blue-green algae and you'll have daily energy to spare!

You don't have to give yourself the caffeine jitters or sleep around the clock to get more daily energy. The natural sources of daily energy described in this article are simple and effective ways you can use to help you make it through your day. When adding any of these items to your daily regimen, always start with a small quantity first and increase the amount as necessary until you get the desired results. With any of the pill-based supplements, taking them with food may decrease the effect but may also help you gauge the effects gradually and safely.

Cheers,
Alan