Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
InVite® Health is excited to announce that we will be opening a new location at the Westfield Brandon Mall in Brandon, Florida this summer! What other vitamin company has certified nutritionist’s in-store and an AM radio program broadcast across eight stations from New York to …
Photo by Bewakoof.com Official on Unsplash Mental health is a term that includes conditions that affect a person’s thinking, feeling, mood or behavior. Conditions like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder fall into the mental health category. But it doesn’t have to always have to be …
If there is one thing that we face daily, it is stress. Whether it’s rushing to get the kids to school on time in the morning, rushing through traffic to make it to your morning meeting or cramming for that big exam next week, stress is something that both women and men experience daily.
Feeling ‘everyday stress’ is natural, but when you are plagued with high levels of stress on a recurring, daily basis, you may need to reevaluate your daily stessors, as they can lead to poor quality of sleep, muscle tension, and headaches to name a few.
The word adaptogen in herbal medicine refers to an herb or plant extract that helps the body adapt to stress and fatigue. Nutritionists, herbalists and integrative doctors agree that they have the ability to help “adapt” our bodies to the demands of modern day stressors. Two major players in the adaptogen game are Rhodiola and Ashwaghanda. Here’s why.
Rhodiola is the ancient energy and well-being herb. This potent adrenal adaptogen has been used in European and Asian medicine for hundreds of years. “What makes Rhodiola Rosea (also known as the golden root) such a unique adaptogen is its ability to not only modulate the body’s response to stress, but unlike other adaptogenic herbs, Rhodiola is a cellular energy generator. This allows for, not only a means to offset the negative effects that cortisol (the main stress hormone) can have on us, but also allows for an alternative means to generate energy,” reports Amanda Williams, MPH, Director of Nutrition for InVite® Health.†
When we’re under chronic stress, our bodies will begin to lose the ability to produce antioxidants effectively which can weaken our immunity, depress our mood, and create an opening for chronic diseases to take over. In the setting of daily stress, fatigue, and lack of physical energy, Rhodiola has become one of the most well-researched and scientifically validated herbs to promote well-being and restore energy, which makes Rhodiola ideal to support healthy energy production and mood.†
Click here for more information on Rhodiola!
Ashwaganda is a classic Ayurvedic herb used for stress relief, positive mood and healthy brain function. “Ashwaganda has been shown to significantly protect brain cells from the harmful oxidative effects of stress, which otherwise disrupts nerve communication, amps up inflammatory responses and causes physical damage to the brain,” reports Nicole Crane, BS, NTP, former Director of Nutrition for InVite® Health. Research also shows that this powerful feel-good herb supports memory, relaxation, and overall cognitive function by regenerating the brains nerve cells.†
Click here for more information on Ashwaganda!
Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, and it’s not just a skin disorder that plagues teenagers. Breakouts can occur at any age. In a study published in …
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash It is normal to lose about 50-100 hairs every day. But when you begin to see bald patches or lots of thinning, you may be experiencing hair loss. When this happens, many people turn to the products to help them …
Working out is really tough on its own, but if you’re also trying to do it first thing in the morning like before work or class, it could be even more difficult for you. You idolize those people who get up to run miles before the sun rises. But what if you could be one of those people who actually like working out in the morning? Here’s what you need to do to get started.
A new pair of shoes or new workout gear, like a funky exercise bra or breathable top, may be what you need to get excited about your workout. You may also want to invite a friend, as motivation from someone else may be the driving factor that gets you out of bed in the morning. Lace up your new sneakers, grab your fitness buddy, and head outside or to the gym! You should be excited about your workout as just think about what your end results will look like.
If you’re one of those people that hit snooze multiple times to catch a few more minutes of rest, you’ll want to turn off the snooze option on your phone or alarm. As soon as your alarm goes off, physically get yourself up. You may also want to put your alarm or cell phone further away from you so that you will have no other choice but to get up and turn it off. Remind yourself that an extra 5 minutes of rest won’t do anything but make you late.
Do your research! Well, in this case, we’ve done it for you. Numerous studies have shown that morning workouts have great benefits for your body, mood and mind. Researchers from Brigham Young University found that exercising in the morning can actually make food seem less appealing throughout the rest of the day. They also found in the same study that people who work out in the morning end up being more active in general for the rest of the day.
In a study out of Appalachian State University, researchers found that a 7am workout reduced participants blood pressure by 10%, a dip that continued all day and lowered even more (to 25%) at night, compared to participants who did their workout at 1pm and 7pm. The National Institute for Fitness & Sport found that when you wake up, testosterone levels are at their peak, making it an ideal time for strength-training workouts since your body is in prime muscle-building mode.
A study published in Health Psychology found that setting an early-morning alarm helps you be consistent, which means you’ll tap into benefits that include increased immunity, longevity and a better mood, that go along with regular exercise. The National Sleep Foundation also reports, that while evening workouts can boost the body’s temperature and stimulate the body, which can make falling asleep more difficult, working out in the morning leads to deeper, longer, and higher-quality sleep.
Nothing is worse than actually waking up the next morning, excited for your workout only to see that there is a thunder storm outside. Plan everything the night before! Check the weather, lay out your workout attire, grab your headphones and Fitbit™, and set your alarm. Check with your gym for any workout classes they have, like a boot camp class or boxing class. The thought of missing a class and disappointing your instructor or classmates might give you more motivation to make it to the class and give it all you’ve got.
Before you even think about heading outside in the morning or to the gym, you have to make sure you are feeding your body with the fuel it needs to keep moving. Ditch the high carbs and grab your protein! Research shows that eating protein in the morning has multiple benefits. According to Patricia Pimentel Selassie, ND, CNS, protein in the morning helps our bodies build and repair muscle tissue more effectively throughout the day. “It can also slow carbohydrate cravings later in the day by affecting hormone and brain signaling that controls food regulation, leaving a more satiated and nutritionally nourished individual.”
Before grabbing a piece of toast and heading out the door, consider making a protein shake for breakfast! ” If you are really in a rush, place a scoop of one of the protein powders in a shaker bottle with some unsweetened chocolate almond milk and fly out the door knowing you will be maintaining your muscle and using your fat as fuel, all while feeling like a champion – more satiated, focused, and even-tempered – throughout your day.”