Category Archives: Energy boosters

Digestive Enzyme, Digestive Enzyme Supplements, Energy boosters

Shake off that wintry sluggishness through good diet, rest, exercise and probiotics

Let’s face it; it’s not unusual this time of year to feel a little lacking in energy; a wee bit done in; rather sluggish. But is it normal? Should you shrug your shoulders and put up with it? Scientifically speaking, there’s no reason why you should accept having less energy at one time of the year (when it’s colder and the days are shorter) compared to another (when it’s warmer and the days are longer) – and that’s not to mention it’s not healthy either.

Why might you feel sluggish? Well, maybe you’re working hard, not getting as satisfactory a work-life-rest balance as you might and perhaps you’re not eating as healthily or getting as much exercise as you could – the latter being very common this time of year. The following are all specific reasons you might feel sluggish – and alongside them are ideas to boost your energy.

Low hormone levels

Low levels of certain hormones can play a big role in keeping energy levels low. Why? Well, your ability to think clearly and act effectively is compromised when your body isn’t producing and, thus, not using enough testosterone, oestrogen, thyroid hormones and human-growth hormones1. To ensure your body’s creating a sufficient amount of hormones then to keep you full of beans, you should aim to live a healthy lifestyle. What does this mean? Steer clear of pesticide-affected fruit and vegetables, boost your Vitamin D intake and get exercise (yes, in the winter months), but remember to take the time to rest too.

The thyroid effect

Of all hormone deficiencies that can leave you feeling sluggish, an imbalanced thyroid may be most significant. The hormones this gland produces are necessary for almost every organ in the body. Moreover, one of the major hormones it creates and supplies is Triiodothyronine (or T3), which is directly responsible for metabolic rate and influences modest changes in energy levels and body weight. Getting enough iodine (either through diet or supplementation) is crucial to ensure the work your thyroid does is balanced effectively2, but again, so too is getting enough exercise and sleep.

Too little exercise

Wait a minute; the more we exercise the more tired we’ll get, right? Well, more physically tired for a brief time, yes; more sluggish, no. The reality is that throwing yourself into either vigorous or light exercise on a daily basis encourages body functions (not least digestion), increases the acceptance of glucose (food) by cells throughout the body and activates significant parts of the brain – those that enable us to feel better psychologically, especially when it comes to us feeling more or less energised3.

Not enough B12?

Speaking of glucose-conversion in cells, Vitamin B12 is of critical importance for this to take place in our bodies effectively. Also referred to as cobalamin, B12 plays a crucial role in the creation of red blood cells, which carry glucose (potential energy, if you will) and other nutrients to organs via the bloodstream. Unless they’re careful to manage an entirely balanced diet, vegans may find they’re not getting enough B12 from food alone (as the vitamin tends to be derived mostly from animals), thus energy supplements could prove a decisive option for sluggishness linked to B12 deficiency.

Gut matters

It’s not unusual to feel lethargic when you haven’t passed waste and feel like you need to but can’t (that is, when you’re suffering from constipation), yet if you haven’t properly digested the food you’ve eaten there’s a more specific biological reason why you might feel sluggish. Basically, it’s likely you aren’t absorbing as many energy-supplying nutrients as you need to. If your gastrointestinal system is deficient in the enzymes that help you digest food then you simply won’t get the vitamins, minerals and glucose your body requires to function as it should – inevitably then, you’ll experience low energy levels. Digestive enzyme supplements could help here4.

Reducing stress can also aid efficient digestion – when you’re in a stressed out, ‘flight or fight’ state, digestion automatically stops as your brain deems it a low priority. Rest and exercise can help lower stress levels and aid your body in reaching the opposite state, the parasympathetic (or relaxed) state that supports digestion.

Energy-boosting tips

So to reiterate, there are many things you can do to boost your energy and reduce the opportunity for you to become overly sluggish; even exhausted:

  • Diet – introduce into your daily intake organic raw vegetables, organic berries and nuts, herbs and seeds; aim to reduce the sugars you eat, but don’t cut down on calories altogether as you’ll need enough of them to burn to provide you energy
  • Exercise and sleep – try to exercise vigorously or lightly every day and look to get least 7-8 hours of sleep a night
  • Vitamin D – in addition to getting your fill of Vitamin B12, try to boost your levels of the  all-important Vitamin D by getting out in the sun (but not too much in the summer), the point being that sunlight provides Vitamin D, which can help to balance the serotonin and melatonin levels in your body, thus stabilising its circadian rhythms; in turn ensuring your energy levels are in tune with your sleep-wake cycle
  • Supplements – as noted above, supplements may help a great deal to banish that sluggish feeling; in their different ways the following (all available through The Finchley Clinic) are highly advised to augment the other lifestyle adjustments suggested:

detoxadine

Detoxadine (Iodine) (1floz) – a high-quality nascent iodine supplement (made ​​from dietary transformative iodine) that helps balance the body’s iodine levels and thus supports thyroid health.

Sublingual Unique B12 (90 veg tablets and powder) – provides an infusion of B vitamins directly into the bloodstream to nutritionally support the nervous system and aid cardiovascular function; also contains folic acid and Vitamins B6 and B7 (biotin).

veganzyme-180-capsules

VeganZyme (120 capsules) – a popular digestive enzymes supplement that can help enhance the body’s digestive process and increase the nutritional value of your food.

References

1. Tuin J., Sanders J. S., Buhl B. M., van Beek A. P. and Stegeman C. A. ‘Androgen deficiency in male patients diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis: a cause of fatigue and reduced health-related quality of life?’. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013; 15 (5): R117.

2. Laurberg P., Cerqueira C. and Ovesen L. ‘Iodine intake as a determinant of thyroid disorders in populations’. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Feb; 24 (1): 13-27. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2009.08.013.

3. Sharma A., Madaan V., and Petty F. D. ‘Exercise for Mental Health’. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2006; 8 (2): 106.

4. Balakrishnan M. and Floch M. H. ‘Prebiotics, probiotics and digestive health’. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2012 Nov; 15 (6): 580-5. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e328359684f.

Awake Food 60s, Body Balance, Drive!, Energy boosters, Green Magma, Vitamins & Minerals

Exercise, cleansing and supplements: tips on boosting your energy

Surely all of us know when we’re done in at the end of the day and it’s time for bed. But what if a good night’s sleep isn’t enough? What if, despite however many hours’ slumber you get several nights in a row, you still feel shattered? Well, if that’s the case, you’ll be suffering from chronic fatigue – and there’s definitely something wrong.

That’s because the production and use of energy in the body depends on cellular function – which, in turn, requires the consumption, absorption and transformation of vitamins and minerals – thus suggesting all’s not well in your cells. In fact, when your cells are struggling to produce the energy they ought to be, they can become damaged and die, leaving you low on energy yourself.

So what’s causing the problem? There can be several reasons for constant depleted energy – anything from thyroid or adrenal issues to parasites in your digestive system or candida overgrowth to deficiencies in Vitamin B12, chromium, magnesium or iron.

There is hope, however. The following body-enriching activities are highly advised. They’re all excellent – and, many of them, necessary for – boosting energy and helping to keep your mind sharp:

  • Exercise
  • Maintaining a natural, organic diet
  • Hydration through drinking water
  • Regular cleansing of the colon and liver
  • Keeping your hormones balanced
  • Massaging your muscles and body.

Not the best ideas for boosting energy

Conversely, they are a few died-in-the-wool, not so good methods many of us fall back on to supposedly boost our energy levels. Yes, we’re talking the ‘essential’ morning coffee and energy drinks here. Now, while the caffeine and sugar of coffee and energy drinks work as stimulants to ‘wake you up’, the effect is always short-term and will eventually lead to an energy crash. Moreover, caffeine is a powerful drug that results in dependence and puts stresses on the body’s adrenal glands and its endocrine system. When it comes down to it both these so-called energy boosters are mostly nutritionally deficient.

Better ideas for boosting energy

So, for a more effective, less harmful dietary-based energy boost, you’d do better focusing on getting more of these nutrients:

Vitamin B12

You really can’t overstate how much the body needs Vitamin B12. Without it, cellular energy creation (alternatively referred to as the ‘citric acid cycle’ or ‘Kreb’s cycle’) simply wouldn’t take place. The drawback for the body, though, is that it can’t create the vitamin itself – it must draw it from dietary intake. To wit, great natural sources for B12 are red meat, dairy, mussels and clams.

Chromium

Especially helpful in the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream to cells in order to transform proteins, carbohydrates and fats into energy, chromium occurs in a variety of different foods including fresh fruits and vegetables, potatoes (not least their skins), whole-grain breads and cereals, meats, cheeses and spices. Moreover, consuming hard tap water and using stainless-steel cookware can increase your chromium intake.

Iodine

Important in the body’s regulation of hormones, iodine is used by the thyroid to form triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), a pair of hormones that are crucial in normalising the levels of other hormones. In general, hormones are critical for keeping the body’s metabolism working efficiently and ensuring energy creation. For dietary sources of iodine, look to seafood and sea vegetables like dulse seaweed and wakame, as well as dark leafy greens.

Iron

Essential for the transportation of oxygen in your blood to tissues and organs, iron helps cells make energy by ensuring the oxygen they need reaches them. Traditionally, red meat was considered a good source for iron, but many people tend to consume less of it nowadays owing to its negative effect on cholesterol levels and heart-health. It’s true that certain fruits and vegetables (including broccoli, spinach, prunes and beans) also comprise iron, but at lower levels, hence why vegetarians can sometimes suffer from iron deficiency without realising it – as well as non-vegetarians who don’t eat red meat, of course.

Magnesium

Necessary to ensure cells activate adenosine triphosphate (ATP – the so-called ‘molecular unit of currency of intracellular energy transfer’), magnesium’s another hugely important mineral.Indeed, it was discovered in a recent study that for postmenopausal women, low magnesium levels directly correlate with low energy and can make completing basic physical tasks difficult1. When it comes to your diet it’s best to get your magnesium fill from spinach, almonds, sesame and pumpkin seeds, avocados and quinoa.

Supplements

Unfortunately, for different reasons, people aren’t always able to get the above minerals from their diets alone (in the manner of non-red-meat-eaters missing out on iron). In which case, a good substitute for energy boosters can be supplementation – and the following supplements are all available via The Finchley Clinic:

Awake_Food_60_Capsules

Awake Food 60s (60 capsules) – designed specifically to drive up the body’s energy levels and improve the mind’s alertness, this supplement’s formula contains B Complex vitamins (not just B12, but also B3, B5 and B6), three forms of ginseng and reishi mushroom

body-balance-powder

Body Balance (powder/ 420g) – supports a healthy metabolism by combining chromium, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), L-carnitine and high-quality whey protein to boost blood glucose and energy levels

Drive-180-capsules

Drive! (180, 90 and 30 capsules) – provides a combination of different nutrients to increase energy levels and help balance brain chemistry, including Vitamins B12, B3 and C, tyrosine, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese and folic acid

Green Magma (Barley Grass Powder) – a staple food of several different civilisations for thousands of years, green barley grass has been popular for so long because of its energising and anti-ageing properties, which isn’t surprising given it contains Vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12, as well as at least 50 minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium; available as a 10-day trial pack in 300g, 150g and 80g packs and in tablet form (250).

Reference:

  1. Garrido-Maraver J., Cordero M. D., Oropesa-Avila M. et al. ‘Clinical applications of coenzyme Q10’. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). Jan 1 2014. 19: 619-33.
Energy boosters, General Health & Nutrition, Heart health, Vitamin B12

Brilliant B12: why Vitamin B12 is so crucial to your body

Vitamins. We’re constantly bombarded in the media and on the Internet by calls to boost our vitamin levels, aren’t we? Let’s be honest, only a fool wouldn’t take heed of them and not recognise the importance of all those A-Z multivitamins’ importance in seeing our bodies work as they should. But while many people are good at making sure they get enough of the likes of Vitamins A, C and D, one nutrient in particular they may not pay as much attention to – and, thus, not get enough of – is Vitamin B12.

In fact, in just the United States alone, it’s estimated that nearly one in four people suffer from Vitamin B12 deficiency1. What are they missing out on then? What are they putting themselves at risk from? And what can taking more B12 do for them? Well, don’t doubt it, this is one vitamin that plays an enormous role in ensuring our bodies function as they should – it’s involved in a whole host of different good things that go on in our bodies. Here’s just a taster…

Heart protection

Surely nobody needs convincing of the importance to your body of a healthy heart. In which case, you shouldn’t take lightly the fact B12 plays a prominent role in maintaining the health of your heart and whole cardiovascular system. One of the reasons for this is that the vitamin’s excellent at removing from your blood a threatening protein named homocysteine which, left alone, can damage your arteries resulting in inflammation and, potentially, heart disease.

Nerve damage prevention

Should your nerves become so damaged they die, thus signals to and from the brain become disrupted, you could develop a nerve-related condition which would likely seriously affect your health. The answer? Preserving the protective covering of your nerves – otherwise known as myelin sheaths – which ensures they’re not harmed by free radicals and toxins in your blood. Don’t doubt it; B12 is massively important in maintaining the health of your nerves’ myelin sheaths.

Bone strengthening

It’s also believed that consuming B12 may be good news for preserving or building up the strength of your bones. Research has suggested that those who suffer from osteoporosis – the bone-debilitating condition – may well have higher levels of homocysteine and lower levels of B12 in their bodies than those with healthy bones2.

Energy release

Taking time to rest and maintain a good diet are, of course, highly advised in order to remain well and full of beans, but making sure you’re not deficient in certain vitamins is also well known to be important. And one of these vitamins is, yes, B12. It’s one of the nutrients that, once consumed, actively releases energy into your body’s cells, ensuring they don’t go hungry and make you feel tired and weak.

Good for positive mood

Mental health is, of course, as important as physical health. And here lies another of the benefits of Vitamin B12. If you’re experiencing ‘the blues’ and feeling down, again it could well be you’re not getting enough B12; its existence in the brain can help provide a chemical called serotonin, which plays a critical role in regulating your mood. Indeed, a study of diabetic patients who’ve experienced a side effect of depression from the treatment drug Metformin revealed that those who took B12 to combat this reported a more positive outlook3.

Enhances physical health of the brain

In addition to being good news for your mental health, B12’s also important for maintaining your brain’s physical health – because it protects nerve cells. Indeed, Alzheimer’s sufferers, contrasted with those of a certain age whose memories are still sharp, tend to have lower levels of B12. The vitamin then, it’s believed, is important in protecting brain cells’ myelin sheaths, which Alzeheimer’s patients often lack. Research has also suggested that via targeted nutritional intervention (including upping B12 levels), cobalamin deficiency – which may play a role in the onset of dementia – could well be reversed4.

How to boost your B12 intake

So, no question then, B12 is one very crucial vitamin. If you feel you may be deficient in it and could benefit from upping your levels of intake, you’ll be pleased to discover it’s readily available via The Finchley Clinic as a supplement. Through us, you can purchase Vitamin B12 in:

Vitamin-B12-Sublingual-Powder

So whichever way is easiest and best for you, we can help you get the Vitamin B12 you need.

 

References:

1 McBride, J. (2016). B12 Deficiency May Be More Widespread Than Thought. usdagov. Retrieved 27 May, 2016, from http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2000/000802.htm

2 Ebesunun M. O., Umahoin K. O., Alonge T. O., Adebusoye L. A.. Plasma homocysteine, B vitamins and bone mineral density in osteoporosis: a possible risk for bone fracture. Afr J Med Med Sci. 2014 Mar; 43 (1): 41-7.

3 Biemans E., Hart H. E., Rutten G. E., Cuellar Renteria V. G., Kooijman-Buiting A. M., Beulens JW. Cobalamin status and its relation with depression, cognition and neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using metformin. Acta Diabetol. 2014 Oct 15.

4 Osimani A., Berger A., Friedman J., Porat-Katz B. S., Abarbanel J. M. Neuropsychology of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly demential patients and control subjects. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2005 Mar; 18 (1): 33-8.