Thursday, August 29, 2019

Five Simple and Cheap Ways to Recover from Stress

We live in a stressed out society. According to an annual "Attitudes In The American Workplace VI" Gallup Poll, 80% of workers feel stress on the job, nearly half say they need help in learning how to manage stress. Stress has become one the largest problems in our society, and regularly costs US industries more than $300 billion per year.

With today's uncertain economy, more and more people are feeling stress, even if they don't acknowledge it. The good news is that you don't have to be stressed out, even if everyone else is. Here are five simple and cheap ways to recover from stress:

Move Your Body
Taking a brisk 5 minute walk outside can release endorphins (those make you feel happy), increase circulation to the brain so you can think more clearly, and reduce the adrenalin and cortisol produced by stress (adrenalin and cortisol cause your body to store lots of fat). Moving your body also tends to move your mind, according to the spiritual principle of "as above, so below," so you tend to feel more relaxed and creative afterward. Taking a quick walk could result in some unexpected inspiration!

Vent for Five Minutes
If you're really stressed and you need to vent your frustration or anger, set aside five minutes and write everything down. Set a timer for five minutes and go. Write down everything you're angry, sad, frustrated, grieving, or generally stressed about. This is your five minutes to cut loose. When the timer goes off, you'll feel better and be able to think more clearly. The key to making this technique work is to stay disciplined. Don't allow yourself to get frustrated outside of those 5 minutes, and don't let yourself vent for more than 5 minutes.

Feed Your Brain and Body
When you're under stress, your brain and body need more nutrients to function. Taking in whole food nutrients can actually get rid of stress. Try blue-green algae, chlorella, or another chlorophyll-rich source. Fruits and vegetables, especially if freshly-juiced, also make a great source of nutrient-dense food that your body can use without a lot of digestive effort.

Breathe
When you're under stress, you stop breathing deeply and regularly. Studies show that when you take conscious control of your breathing, your level of stress decreases. If you're breathing consciously, you won't be stressed. Take three minutes and just breathe. You'll be glad you did!

Take Action
If you're stressed because you've been procrastinating about something, get moving and take some action. Procrastination is one of the biggest sources of stress--and it's also one of the easiest to take care of. Taking action and completing tasks can radically reduce stress!

The last thing you need to do when you're stressed is add more items to your to-do list. Instead, make stress relief simple. Take 5 minutes out of your day, here and there, to de-stress your life. You don't need to pay for an expensive gym membership or visit a shrink. Just take a little time to decompress and you'll be surprised at the positive results.

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Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Sighing, Groaning, and Yelling Your Way Out of Stress

Are you stressed! If so, I have good news for you! Did you know that you can sigh and groan your way out of stress? Really. Sighing is a way of vocalizing the stress we feel, and releasing the pent up energies of the heart. Contrary to popular opinion, sighing is not always the sound of self-pity. Sighing actually releases excess energies and can be very uplifting.

Groaning is the primary sound of the kidneys, so groaning releases the pent up energies of the kidneys. Keeping the kidneys free of excess energies actually prevents kidney problems such as kidney stones, since the kidney reflects fear and the wrong use of will in our lives. An example of the wrong use of will is pushing yourself to do something even if it doesn't feel right.

The primary sound of the liver is shouting. Vocalizing by shouting in an upbeat sound like "Haazzaaa" (pronounced with the same intonation as Hooray) can release the pent up energies of the liver. Excess liver energy is the primary cause of infections as well as a source of anger, so releasing liver energies promotes peace. Wheat sprouts are also beneficial in releasing excess liver energies, and can promote the rapid healing of infections.

Generally these sounds also clear the lungs because of the expelling of the air from the lungs and movement of sound through the lungs. So, you can really sigh and groan your way out of stress right now!

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Thursday, August 22, 2019

Healthy Aging and Brain Health

Healthy aging is not just about taking care of our physical bodies as we get older. Healthy aging can be starting to develop lifestyle changes when we are young that will insure we reach old age with our bodies, minds and spirits being at their optimally healthy level. We all know that as we age our bodies can't do the same things as when we were younger. We have all also experienced the memory lapses and changes related to cognitive functioning. Just as there are natural solutions to keep our bodies supported through healthy aging, there are also natural solutions that can help with brain health as we age.

We start noticing many of our physical and mental limitations in midlife, but studies have shown that many of the memory problems we start experiencing in midlife are due more to distraction and interrupted attention. This is due to changes in the frontal lobe that start in midlife. This is also the time of life when we start experiencing the mind only being able to handle so much information before it becomes overwhelmed and blocks out anything new trying to come in, trouble remembering things that have to be done at specific times, and a decline in being able to retrieve information as fast as we once could. In fact there is a study that shows elderly people are more able to remember to take medications on time than middle aged people because middle aged people are more likely to get distracted by other life factors. Cognitive dysfunctions don't just happen all of a sudden when we reach old age, so the time to start improving brain health is as early as possible.

Natural Solutions for Healthy Aging and Brain Health
It's hard when you start realizing your mind and body can't perform they way they once could. There are natural solutions you can use to support brain health and cognitive functioning and as aids to coping with memory problems. You can be creative when coming up with things that will spark the memory. Here are some basics that can work.


  • Challenge your brain by learning new things, use the internet to search for information on things you've always wanted to learn about, do mental puzzles and games. An active brain continues to develop. Studies at UCLA have shown that internet searching uses neural circuitry that is different from that used in reading.
  • Write notes to yourself not just at home or your desk, but for in the car when doing errands or anytime. Don't tell yourself you'll write the note later; get in the habit of writing things down as soon as you think of them.
  • Use index cards with key phrases as reminders during meetings or social functions.
  • Find time to relax as stress can be counterproductive to brain health. Meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga are all good for stress management. Meditation has also been shown to create growth in the cortex area of the brain which is responsible for memory.
  • Use a calendar, write specific information about appointments in it, always put appointments in immediately and don't agree to anything without being able to schedule it in your calendar.
  • Use alarms as reminders.
  • Aerobic exercise can keep the mind sharp and has also been shown to increase brain tissue.
  • Some new studies are starting to indicate that taking probiotics to support gut health can have an effect on brain health. These studies indicate there may be a connection between the health of the friendly bacteria in the gut and a reduction of brain activity associated with stress, anxiety and depression.
  • Assign a particular place for needed items such as keys, wallet, and glasses and ALWAYS put them there. Avoid going on auto pilot when dealing with items and consciously put them in their assigned place.
  • A new study shows cocoa drinks with antioxidant flavanols may help boost brain health in older people.
  • Create a list of stalling tactics or phrases you can use in situations to give you time to think of the word you want to say or to retrieve information not coming to mind immediately.


Another supplement to the diet that can be supportive of brain health is a blue green algae supplement that also supports an active lifestyle. Besides the blue green algae that is a good source of whole food nutrition, it has the added ingredients of bee pollen, vitamin A, enzymes, antioxidants, gluten-free wheatgrass juice, Hawaiin noni, eleuthero, ginkgo, and turmeric. Bee pollen is reported to have a high amino acid content useful for stimulating memory and concentration. Wheatgrass juice has been found to provide nutrients that support brain health and clearer thinking. Gingko has been used for a long time to promote increased memory and mental concentration by increasing circulation and providing increased oxygenation of brain cells. Curcumin, found in turmeric, has been the basis of much research and found to have benefit for enhancing memory, as an anti-inflammatory, for enhancing nerve growth in areas of the brain and as an antidepressant. It is also being studied and used in relation to treating Alzheimer's.

Start a Brain Health Program Early
New studies show that healthy aging in the brain could be tied to blood pressure levels. In midlife those with higher blood pressure levels are found to have cognitive and memory problems as they get older. The bad news is that elevated blood pressure levels occur in around 50 million Americans and less than 60% of them know that they do and get treatment. (http://ow.ly/jpayq) The good news is that this information indicates that using natural solutions for balancing blood pressure is also a natural solution for brain health. The first step is knowing what your blood pressure is. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. If you find you have blood pressure higher than normal, your brain health and physical health could benefit from treatment to lower the blood pressure. Natural solutions could include reducing saturated fat and sugar from the diet, taking supplements with coenzyme Q10, garlic, hawthorn and folic acid.

Research also shows that those who stay active and socially connected are emotionally and mentally healthy which has an effect on physical health too. Being active physically produces body chemicals that promote positive emotions whereas inactivity can lead to depression, anxiety and stress. Sure there will be activities our bodies just won't still do as we get older, but finding alternative activities to replace them are important. If you can no longer run, then walk.

Don't wait to start practicing some of the healthy aging tips mentioned here to support brain health. Whatever age you are, now is the time to start working towards being a mentally sharp elder.


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Thursday, August 15, 2019

Want Flat Abs and Less Belly Fat? Natural Tips that Work

You may think getting flat abs and slimming down that belly fat is about appearance and how you'll look when bikini season rolls around, but there are more important reasons for losing belly fat. This kind of fat is visceral fat which means it wraps around organs unlike subcutaneous fat that is just under the skin. Visceral fat can lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes, insulin resistance and even some types of cancer. This is particularly a problem for women after menopause according to Michael Jensen, MD, professor of medicine in the Mayo Clinic's endocrinology division. The hormone changes that occur during menopause affect metabolism and lead to belly fat. While storing fat can be related to age and genetics there are still things you can do to get those flat abs and in losing belly fat.

Exercises For Losing Belly Fat
Getting flat abs requires exercise. Whereas all exercise has health benefits, there are certain types of exercise that work better than others for losing belly fat. According to Kate Patton, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic and other experts, since muscle uses up more calories than fat does, strength training exercises are good for preparing your body to burn off fat. You may think exercises like sit-ups that work your abs are good for losing belly fat, but that isn't necessarily so. These type exercises are good weight loss exercises but they don't specifically target belly fat. Aerobic exercises on the other hand are good weight loss exercises that fight belly fat. According to a study at Duke University, aerobic exercise burns off 67% more calories than resistance training does. This would include running, swimming and bicycling. Here are some specific exercises for losing belly fat offered by experts.
  • Risa Sheppard, creator of The Sheppard Method, offers an exercise where you lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor with hips level, shoulders back and down. Then inhale as your arms are facing up towards the sky in line with shoulders and exhale while moving arms to the floor while counting to six. Once arms are at your sides, do another count of six while moving them back to the starting position.
  • Zip Up: This pilates exercise requires you to stand heels together with toes turned a bit outwards. Then holding hands together, raise arms up to under your chin. Exhale as you move arms downwards and raise up on tiptoes. Hold this position for two seconds, then inhale and return to the starting position.
  • Windshield Wiper: This exercise starts you out lying on the floor with your arms palm down out from your sides, shoulders on the floor and legs bent 90 degrees. Keeping legs bent and together, slowly move legs to the left and towards the floor as far as you can while shoulders stay back. Hold and then move back to the starting positions and do the same move to the right.
Besides exercises like these, you can work in some moves that will work on flat abs just as you go about your day. Working on your posture can help your belly look thinner. Stand straight with body in good alignment, exhale moving belly button towards the spine and keep weight balanced evenly on heels and balls of feet. You can do this throughout the day just about anywhere, anytime. Another way to kill two birds with one stone, is by getting in a weight loss exercise that will flatten abs and getting your house clean at the same time through vacuuming. As you move the machine back and forth, hold your abs tight to turn your house cleaning chore into a way to lose belly fat.

Nutrition For Losing Belly Fat
Eating a diet of lean protein, vegetables, low fat dairy products, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains and fruits give you antioxidants that according to Cleveland Clinic registered dietitian Kate Patton and other nutrition experts, help keep belly fat away. Fiber in your diet, from fruit, vegetables, beans and grain sources can help reduce belly fat by 4% for every 10 grams you eat. Just as important as what you do eat to help in losing belly fat is what you don't eat. In working towards flat abs, avoid foods with refined grains, refined sugars, processed foods, and trans fats. In fact, Wake Forest University research has shown that not only do trans fats increase belly fat, but they also move fat from other places in the body to the belly. Reducing calories also helps in weight loss. Pennsylvania State University researchers report that starting off a meal with a low-cal soup can cut down the amount of calories you consume by 20%. Starting off a meal with a salad with a low-cal dressing can also help cut down the amount you eat at a meal. Add half of a grapefruit to your meal and the acidity will slow digestion down making you feel full for a longer amount of time and give you 64% of the vitamin C recommended daily.

Don't forget to look too at what you are drinking in addition to what you are eating. The American Heart Association reports that soda and other sugar filled drinks are the biggest source of added sugar in our diets. These type of drinks really pack on the calories and lead to extra weight gain. Water is of course the best alternative for staying hydrated and quenching thirst without adding calories, but if you need something with a little more flavor, opt for adding in herbs or fruits to your water. Avoid commercial made flavored waters though as many of them have sugar and chemicals. Green tea is another low-cal drink alternative and a study in the Journal of Nutrition reports the catechins found in it helps burn more calories for losing belly fat.

Improve Digestion for Losing Belly Fat
When we don't get enough enzymes from food sources, the food we eat literally rots in our guts, adding to weight gain and the appearance of a beer belly. 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. Because so many of our foods are cooked, genetically engineered or poisoned with pesticides and fertilizers, it's essential to add enzymes to our diet. Adding probiotics, such as acidophilus, bifidus, or a full-spectrum probiotic, to the diet work along with digestive enzymes helps your body process and digest the foods you eat, moving them through the digestive system so that they don't become stuck there. A great way to get your enzymes, probiotics and the extra nutrition of AFA bluegreen algae and 8 other algae types, antioxidants from sprouts, and the anti-inflammatory power of 5 medicinal mushrooms is with this whole food supplement program with packets of all these important components.

Even if you haven't had success with losing belly fat in the past, don't give up. Take a look at your weight loss strategies and find changes you can make that will specifically target that hard to lose belly fat. Flat abs aren't just about looking good. Your health depends on it. Make the commitment to give some of these natural tips a try and work them into your weight loss plan along with any other strategies you are already using that are working for you. Just that little bit of extra effort could make all the difference.

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.
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20807507,00.html?xid=healthyliving09102014
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/ss/slideshow-9-tips-flat-abs?ecd=wnl_wmhC_090814_tempC&ctr=wnl-wmh-090814-tempC_ld-stry&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3D
http://www.webmd.com/diet/rm-quiz-best-worst-foods-belly-fat?ecd=wnl_wmhA_082414&ctr=wnl-wmh-082414_nsl-promo_1&mb=Xenvmz6dAtHtkRjp7Is6CeHnVev1imbCfXusP2Lh3sM%3D

http://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/50-ways-get-flat-belly

http://www.prevention.com/food/cook/25-flat-belly-sassy-water-recipes



Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Better Vision: Natural Solutions to See the World More Clearly

If I could have three wishes as I age they would be to remain mobile, stay mentally alert and fit, and to retain my vision with healthy eyes. I think most people would agree that keeping these abilities in our senior years would make life more enjoyable. The problem is that losing these are a valid concern as our bodies' age. I have recently written about the first two concerns so today I am looking at natural solutions for healthy eyes and vision. The number of seniors affected by conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration runs in the millions. To keep from joining this growing population of statistics here are some natural solution tips to help you see the world more clearly.

Natural Solutions For Healthy Vision
Protection from UV rays – Ultraviolet rays from the sun can increase your risk not only for skin cancer, but also for cataracts and macular degeneration. Wearing sunglasses when outside made to block out the UVA and UVB rays can help you protect your eyes.

Have your eyes checked – Having regular eye exams is important since many eye diseases can be caught and treated early. It is recommended that you see an eye specialist every one to two years.

Guard against too much computer time – Spending too much time at the computer can lead to straining your eyes, blurry vision, dry eyes and cause you to have trouble with distance vision. Special computer glasses or setting the computer monitor so that your own prescription glasses work to see the screen can help you avoid these problems. Taking short breaks from the computer every so often or at least looking away from the screen periodically can also help. Be aware too of staring too much and make yourself blink often.

Protect your eyes from damage – If you are doing tasks such as woodworking, yardwork or any activity or sport where there is a chance of getting something in your eyes or hit in the eyes, be sure to wear protective safety glasses. Even if it's never happened before; better safe than sorry since this is such an easy thing to do and it only takes one time to really do damage to your eyes.

Foods For Healthy Eyes
According to the National Eye Institute, you can decrease your risk of certain eye conditions that are associated with aging such as cataracts and macular degeneration by making sure you include foods in your diet that have omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin. Eating a healthy diet that helps you keep a good weight for your body size also can help reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes which is the number one cause of adult blindness.

Omega- Fatty Acids – Without enough of DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids in particular diabetic retinopathy or damaged blood vessels to the eye are more likely which can lead to blindness. Your retinas in particular need DHA some of which they have naturally, but not having enough can cause dry eye syndrome according to the director of refractive surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, in New York City, Jimmy Lee, MD. For good health, you need 3 to 4 times as many omega-3's as omega-6's, but most Americans get a lot more omega-6's than omega-3's. To get more omega-3's in your diet start eating fatty fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel and trout, peanuts and walnuts which also have vitamin E that is good for eye health, AFA bluegreen algae which has the exact ratio of fatty acids the body needs, avocado, Brussels sprouts, flaxseeds, olive oil, edamame, and chia seeds.

Zinc – Zinc is an important mineral for protecting healthy eyes by aiding in the production of melanin which can also help with night vision. Foods to add to your diet to get more zinc include oysters, beef, beans, nuts, fortified cereals, sesame seeds, milk, yogurt, and miso.

Vitamin C – The American Optometric Association advises adding vitamin C in your diet to keep blood vessels to the eye healthy and lessen your risk for cataracts. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study reported those who are at high risk for macular degeneration or loss of vision acuity can reduce their risk significantly with the addition of 500 mg of vitamin C a day. This means adding foods to your diet such as orange juice, citrus fruits, berries, sweet potatoes, kiwi, Bell pepper, spinach which also has vitamin E and lutein, and broccoli.

Vitamin A – Vitamin A is an antioxidant nutrient that comes from foods with beta-carotene. The body takes beta-carotene from foods and converts it into Vitamin A. Fruits and veggies that are orange colored like pumpkin, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash, are good sources for vitamin A as are prunes, spinach, liver, and eggs.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin – Both these antioxidants exist in the eyes to help protect them and fight off damage from free radicals. Having enough helps reduce the risk of macular degeneration and is important for healthy retinas according to nutritionist Joy Bauer. Good food sources for these include leafy green veggies like kale, collard or turnip greens, and spinach, egg yolks which also have zinc, oranges, corn, green peas, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and green beans.

Can't Get Eye Nutrition In Your Diet? No Worries!
With our busy lifestyles it isn't always easy to eat the way we know we should. Cutting up salad greens and veggies and fruits ahead of time or on the weekends to munch on all week can help out, but you can also consider adding wholefood supplements to get the extra nutrition you need. When it comes to eye health as well as gut health, immune system support and overall nutrition in general it's hard to beat this AFA bluegreen algae program of convenient packets. With this program you get a month's worth of two types of daily packets of capsules. One gives you the nutritional value of two kinds of AFA bluegreen algae, acidophilus, bifidus, and digestive enzymes. The other packet provides wholefood nutrition that gives you the omega-3's, omega-6's, amino acids, beta glucans, and antioxidants you need from sprouted grasses and grains, marine and freshwater algae, and tonic muschrooms as well as over 60 micronutrients and 130 triterpenoids. It is also a product that is Organic, Kosher, Halal, Vegan, Dairy Free, and GMO Free. Besides giving you the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3 fatty acids that our bodies cannot make themselves and we have to get from foods, this supplement program also has ingredients specifically found beneficial for eye health such as bladderwrack which is a brown ocean algae with fucoidan and kale sprouts high in lutein and zeaxanthin.

Don't wait until your vision starts to suffer to take care of your eyes. Healthy eyes are one of the things that will let you enjoy your senior years and way too important to take for granted. Make getting your eyes examined regularly, protecting your eyes from damage and adding the nutrition to your diet that will help your eyes stay healthy a part of your retirement plan to get started on now. It will pay off big time in the 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.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20680738,00.html
http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/good-eyesight
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/16/foods-for-vision_n_3280781.html

Thursday, August 8, 2019

Are You Taking the Right Probiotics?

I'm sure you have heard by now of probiotics as the media is full of information and the store shelves full of products claiming probiotic benefits. While the basic information may be true that foods with probiotics and supplements help support digestive health and re-populate the friendly or good bacteria or flora naturally found in the intestines, this doesn't tell you which products give you the best probiotic boost.

Sources of Probiotics
Probiotics can be found in fermented foods such as yogurt, buttermilk, some types of cheese, milk, kefir, drinks made from soy, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sauerkraut and some types of pickles. There are also probiotic supplements available in tablet, capsule, powder or liquid forms. Whether you choose foods or supplements, make sure you read the label and look for products that say they contain live active cultures. Don't just assume that a product, even yogurt, has these because not all do. And frozen yogurt doesn't have any at all. If choosing a probiotic supplement, also read the label or check on the company to see if they list any special certifications or manufacturing processes that insure safety. Since the FDA oversees these type products as foods not medications, the company itself is responsible for overseeing safety and labeling. For example, the company I choose for probiotic supplements manufactures its products on-site in its own NSF Good Manufacturing Practice registered and GMP for Sports registered facilities. GMP insures that these products contain exactly what the label says they do and that each ingredient is thoroughly tested for possible pollutants or contaminants and verified 100% pure.

What To Look For in a Probiotic Supplement
According to Brenda Watson, host of Road To Perfect Health television special, when choosing a probiotic supplement, you need to look at how many live good bacteria cultures are in a serving, look for products that contain a variety of bacterial strains that start with words like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, capsules that are delayed release so they can make it through the stomach acid, and how potent the cultures are when they reach expiration, not just at manufacture. You also need to be sure you are getting a product that has a high enough culture count for your particular age or health conditions for it to make an impact. For example, if you are between the age of 15 and 49 years, you need at least 15 billion active cultures whereas people over the age of 50 need more like 30 billion. If you have digestive problems like diarrhea or constipation that are ongoing, then you'll need more like 50 billion and some conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome make take 80 billion. It is also a good idea to choose products from a long standing, reputable company since they are more likely to have testing and research over a long period showing the benefits of their products.

My Favorite Probiotic Supplements
The probiotic supplements I have chosen and used myself for over 25 years come from a company that not only uses NSF Good Manufacturing Practice registered and GMP for Sports registered manufacturing, but also produces probiotic products that hold certifications for being Kosher, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and GMO Free. These products also contain inulin, which is a prebiotic to enhance the activity of the probiotic, made from all-natural, non-GMO chicory root, is certified kosher and halal, contains no allergens or gluten, and provides soluble fiber. They are also freeze-dried and manufactured in powder rather than liquid form to preserve and retain the effectiveness of the bacterial organisms. Two of these probiotic products contain a single bacteria strain, acidophilus and bifidus, as these are two of the most desirable. The third product contains twelve key "good bacteria" and all three products are microblended with wild organic AFA bluegreen algae for extra nutrition.

Probiotics are essential to good digestive health and immune system health so make sure you have enough of these good bacteria working for you. You may not be able to eat enough foods with probiotics to get the culture count you need. If this is the case, know that there are high quality probiotic supplements that can help you build up your supply.

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://blog.brendawatson.com/forum/frequently-asked-questions/what-should-you-look-for-in-a-probiotic/
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/best-probiotics-use
http://www.livestrong.com/article/383282-how-to-choose-a-good-probiotic/

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Ready to Get a Daily Energy Boost and Fight Fatigue?

Are you among the 14% to 27% of people who suffer from chronic fatigue? Or are you among the women who are 3 times as likely to have fatigue as men?

If so, then you'll be interested to know that a study in the "Canadian Medical Association Journal" showed that taking an oral iron supplement reduced fatigue in almost 50% of women who were low in iron but not anemic. In case you're wondering, if you have anemia it means you have a low level of red blood cells, which causes a lack of oxygen reaching your cells. Anemia can definitely cause a drop in your daily energy. Apparently, so can a deficiency of iron.

Boosting Daily Energy with Iron Supplements
In this study, women who were iron-deficient but not anemic took 80 milligrams of prolonged-release iron (ferrous sulfate) for 12 weeks. The study was double blind and placebo-controlled, which is among the highest quality types of studies. The fact that almost 50% of the women receiving the iron supplement felt decreased fatigue led researchers to conclude that iron-deficiency could cause fatigue in women. Thus taking an oral iron supplement or eating iron-rich foods can provide daily energy to women with fatigue due to low iron.

But ...
There's always a but to every supplement, right? The "but" in this case is that some people have difficulty absorbing iron, so taking iron supplements can lead to iron toxicity rather than providing the needed daily energy boost. The main way to discover whether you have a problem absorbing iron is with hair analysis. Hair analysis can reveal high levels of iron in the body, even toxic levels, which means your body isn't using the iron you take.

One other way to get a daily energy boost without the possible poor-absorption problem is to look at other sources of physical energy. CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is one of the nutrients your body naturally makes that helps with steady daily energy. CoQ10 is used by every cell in your body, yet your body produces decreasing amounts of this enzyme around mid-life. Taking CoQ10 can help with your daily energy.

But even then your body can have a problem with making use of CoQ10, although less so than with iron. If you have poor digestion, absorption of any nutrients can be a problem. To get the most bang from your buck spent on supplemental nutrients, consider taking probiotics like acidophilus and bifidus, both of which increase your body's ability to absorb nutrients, from both supplements and the food you eat.

Happy eating for good nutrition!

For natural tips on how to have improved energy, get a free copy of our ebook “Have High Energy Every Day” 

Sources:
National Center for Biotechnology Information   


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.