Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Got Allergies? Get These Simple Fixes

Allergy symptoms are basically a reaction from your immune system to a specific trigger that is treated as a foreign invader. Once the immune system labels something as a foreign invader it produces antibodies to attack it just as it does for a virus or bacteria. The antibodies locate the allergen in your body and inform blood cells to release histamine into the bloodstream. The releasing of histamine creates inflammation causing tissues around blood vessels to tighten and fluid to escape. The escaping fluid becomes the symptoms you experience such as a runny nose, itchy watery eyes, and sneezing.

Boosting Immune System
Having a healthy immune system is your best protection from the misery of allergy symptoms. By adding certain foods to your diet you can strengthen your immune system and help ward off future allergy attacks.

Probiotics, or the friendly bacteria in a healthy digestive system, also help keep the immune system strong since 80% of the immune system is actually in the gut. When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Research indicates that the levels of the good bacteria or probiotics that live in your gut can affect how much IgE your body produces, and how severe your allergy symptoms. Studies show that having a healthy population of acidophilus in your small intestine can reduce the amount of IgE that your body produces in response to ingesting allergens. Probiotics can be taken as supplements or can be found in foods such as yogurt, miso, raw sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi and microalgae. Make sure when choosing probiotic foods such as yogurt that you get one with live and active cultures. Be sure when looking for a probiotic supplement that you choose one with a variety of bacteria and that requires refrigeration such as this full spectrum probiotic supplement. Taking an enzyme supplement between meals can support your body's immune response because your body uses the extra enzymes to surround, break down and remove pollen grains from your system, reducing the amount of overreaction from your body's immune system by creating an excess of histamine.

Your immune system needs vitamins A, C, D and E as well as omega-3 fatty acids and the minerals selenium, zinc, and magnesium to stay healthy. Whole foods with lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables are the best ways to get a variety of these nutrients. More specifically, nutritional therapist Nina Omotoso recommends pumpkin seeds for zinc which is vital for the immune system as it supports the thymus gland which controls the immune system. For magnesium, food such as spinach, brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, bran, peas, beans, peanuts, lentils bananas, figs, almonds and halibut are great food sources. Vitamin C is especially important for the immune system and can be obtained by eating citrus fruits, berries, kiwi, bell peppers and dark green veggies. Broccoli is a good choice since it not only has vitamin C but also A and E. Vitamin C is known to boost white blood cell production to help fight off infections. The body doesn't produce vitamin C itself though so you have to get it from foods or supplements.

There are a variety of other nutrients from foods that can help boost immune system function. Adding onions, garlic, ginger, black peppercorn, cayenne pepper, allspice, curry, and turmeric when preparing meals can help make the immune system stronger. Beta carotene and other carotenoid compounds such as found in AFA bluegreen algae give an immune system boost by protecting the thymus gland and providing antioxidant protection for immune cells according to chemistry professor Karl Abrams. Once the body converts beta carotene to vitamin A it helps white blood cells kill off invading viruses better, increases B-cell activity and antibody production such as IgA. Add astragulus, beta glucan and wild medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, cordyceps, maitake, shiitake, Turkey Tail, and Agaricus blazei to the powerful immune supporting nutrition found in AFA such as in this algae mushroom supplement and you have even more immune boosting nutrition on your side when fighting allergy symptoms. Or you can choose to supplement with this algae and mushroom combination containing reishi, maitake, cordyceps, wild black trumpet, and Poria cocos mushrooms.

You don't have to be at the mercy of your allergies. There are ways to help reduce or eliminate your allergy symptoms nutritionally. Not only will boosting your immune system help with allergies now, but once cold and flu season come around you'll be better prepared to fight those off. Start working now on improving your immune system to have it working for you all year round whenever you need it.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.


Sources:
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11433/winter-is-coming-10-ways-to-strengthen-your-immune-system-now.html
http://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/foods-that-boost-the-immune-system#ImmuneBoosters1
http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/544575/5-foods-to-help-boost-your-immune-system.html
Bruno, PhD, Jeffrey, Eat Light & Feel Bright: Microalgae Solutions for Individual and Planetary Health

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Long Term Nutrition: Easy Does It

Choosing to start eating healthy is one of the smartest decisions you'll ever make and can pay off in more ways than improving your health. Along with getting enough good quality sleep and exercise, feeding your body the nutrition it needs to perform well can give you benefits in a variety of areas.

Good Nutrition
Good nutrition includes making sure your body gets the nutrients it needs to perform its best. When you are energetic and feel your best, you are more productive. This is backed up by research studies such as one found in Population Health Management in 2012 that reported a 66% risked increase of productivity loss by people eating a diet of unhealthy foods. According to registered dietician Debra Nessel, eating healthy means following a diet with lean meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and dairy along with cutting out foods with lots of added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. If your diet consists of lots of processed foods, junk food, fast food and unhealthy snacking it won't change overnight and will be challenging. Just remember easy does it and that slow and steady wins the race. Start by picking small goals that you can be successful at changing eating habits one at a time. You might start substituting water or tea drinks for sodas or sugary fruit juices or start doubling the amount of veggies on your plate. Whatever you choose, making eating habits that will last far into the future and taking that first step is what counts. Besides paying off in being more productive you'll have more stable mood, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels, reduced stress, maintain a healthy weight and increase your longevity. Science backs up these claims as according to the Obesity Action Coalition, a reduction in body weight of just 5 to 10 percent can improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as lower your risk for Type 2 diabetes and studies like one in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported women in their 70's increased their longevity by eating a diet full of vegetables and fruits combined with exercise. And don't discount the toll stress takes not just on your mental state, but on your body that healthy eating can help reduce. Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol and breaks down protein. Adding omega-3 fatty acid foods and magnesium to your diet can help lower cortisol and adding lean protein like fish and dairy not only builds your protein levels back up, but also helps lower cortisol levels.

Boost Nutrition Through Supplementation
While making changes to your diet towards eating healthy, you can jumpstart your good nutrition with whole food nutritional supplements. AFA bluegreen algae is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet with all 20 amino acids, a complete source of protein in an amino acid profile nearly identical to human breast milk, essential fatty acids including Omega-3 and Omega-6 in the right balance humans need, phenylethylamine (PEA) the mental energy activator, powerful antioxidants such as chlorophyll, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and phycocyanin, dozens of essential vitamins including B12, minerals, trace elements, and an ideal balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, complex sugars, and fiber. Add probiotics and digestive enzymes to that nutritional combination with these convenient packets to make sure you are digesting foods well and getting the most use out of the nutrients you eat and you'll have a winning combination. This same plan can be used with animals too and if swallowing capsules is too difficult with your pets then this powdered algae blend with AFA bluegreen algae, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and antioxidant-rich wheat sprouts is another option.

My knowledge of how nutritional supplementation can affect the lives of people and animals comes from real life. My 94 year old grandmother took the algae, probiotic, enzymes packets daily for over 15 years and never caught a cold, had a great memory, and was healthy until the day she died. One of my horses, Johnny, lived a healthy active life reaching the age of 36 and was active in horse shows until he was 32, which I attribute to the 1 teaspoon a day of the powdered algae blend I fed him for more than 15 years. On a less personal note, consider a study done with malnourished children in Nicaragua where more than half of the deaths of children there are due to malnourishment. Malnourishment also affects school performance indicated by lack of ability to focus, poor attendance, and poor participation. The Nicaragua Report from 1995 reports that children receiving one gram of an AFA supplement every day for 6 months showed significant improvement in all areas of school performance while the children in the control group continued to show worsened conditions.

If you are still existing on junk food, processed food and fast food then not only is your health at risk, so is your wallet as it puts you at risk for higher life insurance premiums, high medical bills, and poor work performance that can affect your paycheck. There's no time like the present to start turning all this around. Start making simple changes in the types of foods you eat now and supplementing your diet with high quality whole food supplements to boost your healthy nutrient consumption while expanding on your nutritional changes.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.



Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/432601-the-long-term-benefits-of-exercise-nutrition-and-sleep/
http://blog.downlinens.com/long-term-benefits-of-exercise-nutrition-and-sleep/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/health/benefits-of-eating-healthy/

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

3 Steps for Better Memory

Feelings about memory loss can range from annoyance to dread. And as we age our feelings about memory loss become even stronger wondering whether we will be one of the 10 million baby boomers predicted will get Alzheimer's. As we head toward our senior years there are steps we can take to improve memory with activities and supplements that science has shown can help memory. At the head of the list are exercise and keeping a strong social network. Not only do these two things help with memory, but help with healthy aging in a variety of ways. Exercise helps with balance, weight control, heart health, maintaining strong bones, and much more. Staying social helps us keep a positive attitude, gives us a reason to get up in the morning, a reason to laugh which relieves stress, and the motivation and incentive to keep going. On a more scientific level, one study at the University of Pittsburgh found older people walking 40 minutes three times weekly for a year showed an increase in their brain volume for parts concerned with memory. And many studies have given evidence of how maintaining a good social network is linked to a reduced risk of dementia and memory loss associated with aging.

Supplement Your Memory
There are many supplements and herbs that research has found can help improve your memory and even some that have a positive effect on Alzheimer's. Here are a few of the most well-known.

Ginkgo Biloba – Traditional Chinese Medicine has used this herb for many thousands of years and research shows that it can help increase blood flow to the brain and is as effective as certain drugs used for the early stages of Alzheimer's. According to assistant clinical professor in medicine at Duke University Medical Center, Evangeline Lausier, MD, it is used frequently in Europe for dementia caused by decreased blood flow to the brain and Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD at Georgetown University School of Medicine adds that although it won't prevent dementia, it can keep symptoms from getting worse. As with any supplement, you do need to check with your healthcare provider before using ginkgo especially if you are on blood thinners, have diabetes or hypoglycemia.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid – This essential fatty acid has been found to possibly help reduce the likelihood of getting Alzheimer's. The brain especially needs two kinds of omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA to stay healthy. Not getting enough DHA for your brain can cause your brain to shrink and cause cognitive problems. You can get omega-3 from food sources such as coldwater fatty fish like salmon and tuna, walnuts, olive oil, and flaxseeds or flaxseed oil. You can also get it from fish oil supplements or in just the right balance human's need in AFA bluegreen algae.

Acetyl-L-carnitine – This is an amino acid that many studies have shown can improve memory, focus, clarity, and staying alert. It produces acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter needed for brain functions such as memory and learning. It also works like a powerful antioxidant to help prevent damage from free radical damage to brain cells. If you decide to use this as a supplement, be sure to get the right form as there is another supplement of just l-carnitine that doesn't cross the blood brain barrier like the acetyl-L form does.

Citicoline – Your body takes choline found in foods such as eggs and meat and makes citicoline. Used as a supplement it has been found to improve memory, concentration, and focus and possibly work better than certain drugs used for memory improvement. It has also been found successful in the treatment of memory loss due to aging, stroke, brain injury, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. It increases acetylcholine production and gives you more brain energy and protection.

Ginseng – This herb, long used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and by Native Americans, has been found to improve memory, mental sharpness and clarity. It is often used in conjunction with ginkgo biloba for maximum benefit. It has been used with stroke patients who have suffered memory loss due to damaged blood vessels going to the brain.

EGCG – EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate is an antioxidant flavonoid found in green and black tea. In Asia green tea has been used for ages for mental clarity and longevity. EGCG has been found to reduce chances of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's as it supports the growth of new brain cells in parts of the brain that both these diseases affect.

Algae Supplements – AFA bluegreen algae is loaded with nutrients and this form with the cell wall removed is especially beneficial for nourishing the brain as the nutrients can cross the blood brain barrier easier. On top of that this algae and ginkgo biloba supplement has the ginkgo and other ingredients found to promote mental clarity and if you prefer a liquid supplement, this 2 ounce shot of nutrition has ingredients we've mentioned earlier such as green tea.

Memory loss is often associated with aging, but you can take steps to improve your memory and stay sharp longer into old age. Just remember these three steps: exercise, stay social, and memory enhancing supplements.  By remembering some of these nutrition and lifestyle tips and putting them into practice now you'll set the stage for a more enjoyable future.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/fortifying-your-memory-with-supplements
http://bebrainfit.com/choosing-memory-supplements/
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400921/Best-Bets-for-Memory-Sharpening.html

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Avoid Summer Colds

The majority of adults come down with about three colds every year and summer colds are not at all unusual. Consider that each of the colds you contract take from one to two weeks to get over and that's a lot of down time each year. If you get more than three colds a year, you possibly need to take some boosting immune system steps. Even if you get less than three colds each year, your immune system can benefit from some of these tips to avoid colds.

Preventing Colds and Reducing Down Time
The best solutions to summer colds are to avoid them in the first place and that means keeping the germs that cause them from getting into your body. Hand washing and keeping kitchen and bath surfaces clean are a good place to start with this. Too much handwashing however can cause skin to dry out and even crack leaving an extra way for germs to enter your system. Integrative and functional medicine physician Frank Lipman, MD, offers a great solution for this – carry some lavender essential oil with you. It can help with sanitizing and soothe cracked, dry skin naturally. You can also cut down on your chances of getting colds or shorten the duration of colds using meditation, exercise and Qigong. A study from the University of Wisconsin in 2012 reported meditation can reduce the likelihood of contracting colds by as much as 50%, practicing Qigong was found in a study from the University of Virginia to reduce respiratory infections by 70%, and a study at Appalachian State University reported exercising at least 5 days weekly allowed participants to reduce down time with upper respiratory infections by 43 days.

Many experts including professor of exercise biochemistry at Loughborough University in England, Mike Gleeson, PhD and founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City, Frank Lipman, MD, recommend probiotics for boosting immune system function. One study supporting the use of probiotics to avoid colds is from 2011 that reported participants taking probiotics had a 42% reduced chance of getting colds. You possibly know that probiotics help support digestion, but you may not know that they also play a role in regulation of metabolism and immune system function. In fact, at least 70% of your immune system is in the gut. Knowing that it makes sense that a healthy gut equals a healthy immune system.

Immune Boosting Foods
According to Anita Mirchandani, MS, RD, CDN, and other experts there are immune boosting foods that can help you reduce cold symptoms and feel better quicker.

Leafy Greens – Full of vitamin C, foods like spinach, kale, Swiss chard and arugula can help you fight off and reduce the duration of colds. The darker green your leafy green vegetables, the better. Vitamin C not only boosts immune system function especially neutrophils and macrophages cells, but also has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Some doctors advise taking as much as 1000 to 2000 mg. of a vitamin C supplement three times daily at the first sign of cold symptoms can help fight it off. You should of course check with your healthcare provider to make sure taking these high doses is safe for your particular situation. Others like Dr. Richard Nahas, assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Ottawa, who reviewed multiple studies report that 1 gram daily can help reduce cold symptoms by 8% which equals a day or two less of being sick.

Chicken Soup – No this isn't just an old wives' tale; chicken soup actually can help you get over colds faster for many reasons. First hot soup can make your scratchy or sore throat feel better. Second, being a liquid, chicken soup adds to your hydration and being hot liquid increases your body and airway temperatures which loosens up mucus according to Alissa Rumsey, RD, CDN, CNSC, CSCS and gives you cysteine, an amino acid, from cooked chicken containing similar properties to a bronchitis treatment drug.

Garlic – Dr. Rumsey also finds garlic useful in reducing cold symptoms as it has allicin with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Garlic also helps boost probiotics giving you that extra immune support edge. Many experts believe supplements of garlic can do as much good as eating garlic. In fact one British study found participants taking garlic supplements for 12 weeks were 63% less likely to catch a cold. Like with any alternative treatments, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before taking garlic supplements especially if you are on blood thinners.

Beef – If you eat meat, beef is an excellent source of zinc needed to build white blood cells that are part of the immune system. It also gives you extra protein to help your body build antibodies. If you are vegetarian or vegan, zinc is available in lozenge form or can be found in pumpkin seeds, spinach, nuts, and beans.

Herbs and Spices – There are several herbs and spices found to relieve cold symptoms. Turmeric, commonly found in curry, is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and has been found to reduce the chances of colds, coughs and congestion. According to Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, member of Prevention's advisory board, oregano, thyme, and mustard are also great at boosting immune system function.

Algae – AFA bluegreen algae is loaded with many of the nutrients we've talked about here and more. It's a great source for antioxidant vitamins C, A, and E, amino acids, and other nutrients that protect immune cells, help produce more antiviral thymus helper cells, increase their activity, increase their circulation and increase B-cell activity that gives us more antibodies like IgA. For added immune system support, this mushroom algae supplement also has 6 of the most extensively researched mushrooms that show positive immune system support and that are useful in killing off bacteria, viruses, and yeast: reishi, cordyceps, maitake, shiitake, Turkey Tail, and Agaricus blazei as well as astragalus, and beta glucan also known for their immune system support abilities.

Don't let a cold ruin your summer plans. Be prepared with starting some of these lifestyle changes now to beef up your immune system and prevent colds in the first place and stock up on some of these immune system boosting foods to be ready to relieve cold symptoms if you do catch a cold. Less sick time, less suffering.... sounds good to me.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.


Sources:
http://dailyburn.com/life/health/immune-system-foods-colds-flu/
http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/cold-and-flu/4-supplements-to-treat-cold-and-flu-symptoms/
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFlu/15-ways-prevent-colds-flu/story?id=18005129
http://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/boost-your-immune-system-cold-flu-season/


Thursday, May 12, 2016

Trouble Staying Focused? Simple Solutions

We all have trouble staying focused sometimes. Stress, hectic schedules, multi-tasking, lack of sleep, fatigue, depleted energy, social distractions, and lots of other conditions can contribute to a lack of brain power. There are simple solutions however that can help give you a brain boost and keep your brain working its best for you. Making sure your brain is nourished with the nutrients it needs to promote cognitive functions is one of the easiest simple solutions to start with.

Brain Food
The brain in particular needs glucose, amino acids, and essential fatty acids to be healthy. Glucose is the sugars your body makes by digesting carbohydrates. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Healthy fats are also essential as brain food since the brain is around 60% fat. While these three types of nutrients in general are necessary for healthy brain function, there are some that are especially important.

Fat For Brain Power
The omega-3 essential fatty acid, Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, is vital for the cerebral cortex that is concerned with memory, language, creativity, emotion, attention, and communication between brain cells. Supplementing the diet with DHA has been found to help improve memory loss, ADD, depression, Alzheimer's, dementia, and mood swings and since around 70% of people don't get enough omega-3, adding additional DHA can help give you additional brain power.

Amino Acid for Brain Power
The amino acid acetyl-l-carnitine or ALC works like an antioxidant for the brain by providing protection from the damage free radicals do. This amino acid has been found particularly useful for improvement of focus, clarity, memory, mood, being able to think fast, and for energy production. It also boosts the sensitivity brain cells have to insulin so that they can use glucose for fuel. It is also in small enough molecules to be able to cross the blood brain barrier which some other amino acids like l-carnitine can't do. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Of the United States Of America reported results from a study showing that acetyl-l-carnitine supplementation boosted mitochondria functioning causing improved memory.

More Brain Power Nutrition
A healthy, well-nourished brain is obviously going to be able to work at its best. You know AFA bluegreen algae is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet and that it has the omega-3s and amino acids the brain craves. The form of AFA that is the heart of the algae with the cell wall removed provides nutrients in a form that can easily cross through the blood brain barrier.

Turmeric is a spice that contains curcumin that works as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory for the brain. Curcumin can help improve the blood flow to the brain, boost serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, and help with some types of memory loss. Ginkgo extract that comes from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree also works as an antioxidant for the brain, helps improve blood flow, and balance chemicals in the brain and has been found useful in improving memory. A great way to add ginkgo biloba to your diet and get the great nutrition of AFA bluegreen algae is with this supplement that has a combination of organic wild bluegreen algae, eleuthero, Ginkgo biloba, Lion's Mane, bee pollen, wheatgrass juice, and noni. And if you prefer drinking your nutrition, this liquid shot of nutrients for renewing mind and body gives you ingredients like organic wild microalgae, Cognizin(R), Sustamine(R), green tea, vitamin D, carnosine, and blueberry extract.

As important to the brain as what you feed it is, avoiding certain foods can also help keep you focused. One of the worst things we do to our brains is choosing sugary, fatty, preservative filled snacks. If you are looking for more brain power, choose foods and snacks instead that give you healthy proteins, healthy fats, and antioxidants. Nuts like almonds and walnuts make great brain food snacks as they give you protein and healthy fats. Other healthy snack options include smoothies made with antioxidant providing fruits and protein from milk or a powder supplement like this one with 22 grams of whey protein or this snack bar with sprouted grains, greens, bluegreen algae and almonds. Foods with zinc, iron and magnesium help you stay focused better, so when you start finding yourself distracted or having trouble concentrating make sure you have foods in your diet like lean beef, pork, oysters, poultry, sesame seeds, milk, yogurt, miso, whole grains, seaweed, and maca root powder.

If you need to be able to focus better, help your brain out by avoiding eating those foods that work against it and adding in the nutrients that help it work better. Take good care of your brain and it will pay you back with the brain power you need.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.


Sources:
http://bebrainfit.com/brain-supplements-mental-edge/
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/brain-boosters-5-supplements-for-maximum-mental-acuity.html
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/6102.html
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/20-foods-to-snack-on-for-enhanced-productivity.html

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Weight Loss Tips for Busy People: Part 3

See part 1 of "Weight Loss Tips for Busy People"
See part 2 of "Weight Loss Tips for Busy People"
 

In parts 1 and 2 of this series on weight loss for busy people, we've talked mostly about types of foods that can facilitate losing weight. Now let's look at behavioral tactics and food substitutions that are quick and easy and fit in with any lifestyle.

Quick Mealtime Do's and Don'ts
Do start taking a serious look at what you eat and drink and dump the sodas and sugary juice drinks right away. That's a quick way to start cutting some serious calories. Go with green tea that also adds extra antioxidant protection or water maybe flavored with fruits or herbs. Do start out meals with a veggie appetizer like raw carrots, cherry tomatoes, or celery or a salad to help you fill up and help you avoid overeating more high calorie foods. This is also a good idea before going grocery shopping as research shows it makes you less likely to even buy junk food. Also do eat breakfast within half an hour of getting up in the morning to set your metabolism for the day. Do carry healthy snacks with you or have some stashed in your car or at work. This prevents you from reaching for unhealthy, fattening foods out of hunger. A couple of easy options to take with you are this snack bar with organic sprouted grains, greens, almonds, and bluegreen algae and this powdered drink mix with pure organic whey protein and AFA. Whey protein is also good for building muscle which can help burn fat. On the Don't list include not eating fast. I know when you don't have a lot of time to eat it's tempting to scarf down as much as you can, but resist the urge and chew your food slowly. This not only gets a better start on the digestion process, but gives you time to check in with your stomach as to when it is satiated and can stop eating. Also, don't give in to unhealthy food cravings especially when stressed. Recognize that stress triggers a cortisol release that your brain and body are programmed to believe can be calmed by sugary and fatty foods. Learn to recognize this trigger and go for a quick walk, take a 5 minute meditation break or find some other stress reducing healthier option. For a nutritional boost with whole foods known to increase your concentration like organic wild bluegreen algae, eleuthero, Ginkgo biloba, Lion's Mane, bee pollen, wheatgrass juice, and noni, this algae supplement and this form of algae that allows nutrients to cross the blood brain barrier easier can give you those nutrients that make it easier to stay on task and avoid snacking.

More Weight Loss Tips for Busy People
Busy people can also use certain "tricks" that research has found can cut down on the amount of calories you eat without your body feeling deprived. One of these is to use a smaller plate. Your brain sees a full plate and believes there is an adequate amount of food without nearly the same amount as a larger plate would hold. The color of the plate you use can also make a difference. Research has found that if the plate color is a contrasting color to the food on it, we eat less. Since there are not a lot of high calorie blue foods, the color blue is suggested as a good choice. The type of people you have in your social circle can also make a difference. Supportive, positive people and especially those with lots of self-control in your corner can have a positive effect on your weight loss. Having a friend involved in your weight loss goals also gives you accountability and support so you don't have to go it alone. And finally, take workout clothes and shoes with you. Keep an outfit at work, in your car, or pack one when you travel. That way you'll be prepared if the opportunity to workout, go for a run or a walk comes up.

Are you getting the message yet? No matter how busy you are, you don't have to give up on losing weight. There are plenty of ways you can take control of your weight loss without investing a lot of time or hassle. Most of these are just a tweak to things you would ordinarily be doing anyway. Just a little pre-planning and thinking ahead and you can still drop some of those unwanted pounds.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader. Also, check out the free health resources or order blue-green algae products  on our website.


Sources:
http://www.howdoesshe.com/17-natural-weight-loss-hacks-that-can-help-you-lose-faster/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/13/lose-weight-do-nothing-without-diet-exercise_n_7260710.html
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mackenziekruvant/17-ways-to-lose-weight-without-changing-your-schedule#.faPrmorb
http://www.mensfitness.com/weight-loss/burn-fat-fast/10-reasons-your-body-craves-junk-food

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Weight Loss Tips for Busy People: Part 2

See part 1 of Weight Loss Tips for Busy People



In part one of this article series we talked about how wild foods like mushrooms, sprouts and algae can help busy people with losing weight not only in how their nutrients affect the body, but also in increasing stamina for having the energy to get in exercise. If you are on the go with a busy schedule there are other easy ways you can facilitate weight loss.

Healthy Snacking
Busy people often end up skipping meals and snacking throughout the day or driving through a fast food window to pick up a quick meal. Neither of these options is conducive to losing weight unless you are choosing healthy snacks and drive through options. Instead of going for a burger and fries, many fast food restaurants are offering salads or grilled chicken so look for these on the menu. Order any sauces or salad dressing on the side so that you can limit how much you use and opt for olive oil and vinegar dressings if you can. Snacking throughout the day can actually be a good weight loss strategy instead of eating larger meals several times a day if you choose to bring a variety of cut up fruits and veggies or a healthy snack bar like this algae bar. Apples are a particularly good choice for snacking on as they have pectin which is a soluble fiber that helps keep blood sugar levels stable and prevents fat from being stored in the body. It may surprise you to find out that nuts such as almonds, peanuts, and walnuts are a good snack when working towards losing weight. They do contain fat, but it's the good kind of fat that we need and they also have protein. Ayurvedic medicine recommends soaking almonds overnight and eating them in the morning for a fat burning boost. Just stay with small quanitites to avoid adding on too many extra calories.

Enzyme Therapy For Weight Loss
Enzymes are necessary to aid digestion by metabolizing fat, proteins and carbohydrates and to be absorbed into the blood to clean long-term residual food particles. We don't get the enzymes we need straight from our foods with all the fast food, processed foods and foods cooked with no active enzymes that we consume. Our bodies require enzymes to properly digest food, and when we don't have enough enzymes, the food we eat literally rots in our guts, adding to weight gain and the appearance of a beer belly. Taking a high quality enzyme supplement with meals will help your body digest the food you eat and extract the maximum nutrients from the food. Taking enzymes between meals will "scavenge" throughout your body and help flush toxins, which can help with losing weight. Enzyme therapy adds enzymes back into your system faster than you deplete them, thus building up your reserve. When your body has more enzymes than it needs for digestion, it uses the extra enzymes for healing, repair and renewal.

More Weight Loss Tips for Busy People
Here's a weight loss tip one bit of research found for busy people  - try envisioning yourself eating as much as you want before you start eating. Yep, this study found that participants who spent some time seeing themselves eating candy before actually doing it ate much less than those that didn't engage in this exercise first. And you know that eating more vegetables is good for losing weight so when you make a dish with veggies in it put twice as many as the recipe calls for. That's something that doesn't take any extra time. Keeping a water bottle with you throughout the day is another good weight loss strategy for those without a lot of time to spend. Drink water before you start eating and you'll feel fuller helping you eat less. Finally, you might give Carb-Cycling a try. This is a technique in which you alternate days with eating carbohydrates on a high-carb day then have a low low-carb day the next day where you don't eat carbs. On high-carb days do exercises like weight lifting and high intensity exercising, then on low-carb days either skip the exercise or go with cardio type exercise. Cycling your carbs can help the body use up fat for fuel rather than letting carbs go into stored fat or using carbs and muscle for fuel.

There you have it. A few more simple weight loss tips you can use no matter how busy you are. None of these take any extra time and can pay off in helping you for losing weight. Stay tuned for more tips for busy people with the next installment in this series – part 3.

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Sources:
http://www.thevibrantwriter.com/6-super-foods-for-weight-loss-and-much-more/
http://lifehacker.com/top-10-simple-weight-loss-hacks-you-can-implement-right-1695542566
http://www.mensfitness.com/weight-loss/burn-fat-fast/4-ways-accelerate-your-fat-loss/slide/2