Tag: energy

Creatine: A Powerful Amino Acid for Brain & Brawn – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 157

Creatine: A Powerful Amino Acid for Brain & Brawn – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 157

The body requires 20 different amino acids in order to function properly. Creatine is one of those amino acids and has been studied for its benefit for both muscle and brain health.

Turn To Panax Ginseng For A Natural Energy Boost – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 151

Turn To Panax Ginseng For A Natural Energy Boost – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 151

If you are trying to power through your virtual classes or even trying to get in your evening workout after you put the kids to bed but do not have the energy, Panax Ginseng might be your answer.

Why You Need Copper If You Are Taking A Zinc Supplement – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 147

Why You Need Copper If You Are Taking A Zinc Supplement – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 147

Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey. Ph

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On today’s episode, we are going to be talking about the micronutrient Copper. Micronutrient means that you only need it in small amounts but it is an essential mineral that does many important things for the body, including being needed for proper immune system function. Here’s the issue – we are still in the Coronavirus Pandemic and many are realizing that zinc is extremely important for their immune system. But if you are taking a lot of Zinc for your immune system, you may need a little bit more copper. Let’s discuss!

The Link Between Zinc and Copper

Zinc is important for the immune system. You need zinc for many functions:

  • To create immune cells
  • For immune cell function
  • For cellular repair after an infection
  • To prevent your own immune system from damaging organs and tissues

The Importance of Zinc For Immunity During The Coronavirus. Listen Now >>

Many people are taking high doses of zinc to help reduce the risk of developing a severe infection, which I believe is a good idea. The problem is that Zinc interferes with the absorption of copper. 

Copper is an essential mineral and it is involved with:

  • Energy creation
  • Iron metabolism
  • Connective tissue
  • Bone formation
  • The formation of neurotransmitters in our brain.

Copper is also required as an antioxidant and importantly during the times of the Coronavirus, for immune system function. Normally, you get enough from your food and also in your multiple-vitamin. But if you take Zinc, you may need a little bit more to play it safe. Dietary sources of copper include shellfish, seeds and nuts, wheat bran, whole grains, chocolate, and organ meats.

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Important Functions of Copper In Your Body

Energy production

You need copper to create energy from the food you eat. Without it, you cannot create energy. A copper-dependent enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase plays a critical role in creating energy out of your food. It triggers the reduction of oxygen into water, generating an electrical gradient, which is an energy source used by the power plants called mitochondria of our cells to create the vital energy-storing molecule, ATP.†

Connective tissue formation

Another copper-containing enzyme, lysyl oxidase, is required for the formation of collagen and elastin. Collagen is required to build skin, hair, and nails, bone, joint tissue, ligaments and tendons and many other tissues. Elastin is needed for the elasticity and resilience of your skin. So, copper is essential for the formation of strong and flexible connective tissue. It also helps maintain the integrity of connective tissue in the heart and blood vessels and also plays a role in bone formation.†

Learn More About The Importance Of Collagen. Click Here >>

Iron metabolism

Four copper-containing enzymes, known as ferroxidases convert iron into its ferric iron form. This is the form that iron takes on to be transported to bone marrow to make red blood cells. Adequate copper is necessary for normal iron metabolism and red blood cell formation. Anemia is a clinical sign of copper deficiency. With this deficiency, it is difficult to transport iron and instead of creating red blood cells the iron tends to accumulate in the liver leading to hepatic iron overload and/or cirrhosis.†

Immune system function

Copper is known to play an important role in the development and maintenance of immune system function, but the exact mechanism of its action is not yet known. Neutropenia (abnormally low numbers of white blood cells called neutrophils) is a clinical sign of a deficiency in humans. It is also needed for phagocytosis; the ability of very large immune cells called macrophages to engulf and destroy infectious microbes. You don’t want to be low in Zinc or Copper during virus season.†

Other Key Functions:

  • Central nervous system
  • Neurotransmitter synthesis
  • Formation and maintenance of myelin
  • Melanin formation
  • Antioxidant functions

Thank you for tuning in to the Invite Health Podcast. You can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting www.invitehealth.com/podcast. Make sure you subscribe and leave us a review! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Invite Health today. We’ll see you next time on another episode of the Invite Health Podcast.

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The Many Brain Benefits of Alcar and ALA, Part 1 – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 134

The Many Brain Benefits of Alcar and ALA, Part 1 – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 134

Today we are discussing the many benefits that Alcar and ALA have on the brain. There is a huge impact on your brain when you use these two nutrients together. These nutrients are involved with energy production and so much more.

What You Need To Know About Vitamin C – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 127

What You Need To Know About Vitamin C – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 127

Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, which means you need it for multiple functions but your body does not make it. Here’s why adequate levels are so important, especially for the creation of Collagen and for healthy immunity.

Essential Nutrients for Attention and Focus – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 30

Essential Nutrients for Attention and Focus – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 30

Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey. Ph

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On today’s episode I am going to talk about different nutrients that are beneficial to supporting your brain, particularly for focus, productivity, and attention. You may feel like you have a hard time finishing tasks or staying focused in class, which could be because you are lacking certain brain health nutrients in your diet. Here’s what you need to know.

Essential Nutrients for Brain Support

Omega-3 Fatty acids like Fish or Krill Oil are essential brain health nutrients. These fatty acids work with vitamin D, vitamin B12, and Phosphatides to support memory function, a good mood, resisting the feeling of stress, for sleep/wake cycles, and for brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids are required by the brain in order to function properly.

Phosphatidylserine is a naturally occurring fat in your brain. It contributes to cell membrane integrity and supports mental energy and memory. It also positively interacts with Omega-3 fatty acids to offer extra support for memory, brain size and brain health. Your brain’s natural level of phosphatidylserine drops as you age. Phosphatidylserine supplements have been shown in recent studies to have great benefits for the aging brain. Your memory and cognitive abilities tend to decrease with age, resulting in forgetfulness, clouded thinking and other problems.

When you do not have enough choline and serine in these fat forms,you may start to develop issues like decreased memory, having a hard time paying attention and focusing. These Omega-3 Fatty Acids help neurons maintain memory function and neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganize itself and replace damaged neurons with new neural connections.

Following SAD (Standard American Diet), does not provide with you adequate nutrients to support a healthy brain. Without these nutrients, your neurons suffer.

Energy Production in the Brain

Cerebral Care and Mind Synergy provide a blend of key fats and amino acids that support the brain, so you can stay focused and stay productive. Inositol, Phosphatidylserine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier in order to generate energy production in your brain. Without enough nutrients, you will feel lackluster with normal brain function, like focus and finishing tasks. This is a powdered formulation that is perfect for any setting, including a work or class setting. Put a scoop in your yogurt or shake/smoothie and keep moving!

Blood Circulation in the Brain

Ginkgo Biloba is oftentimes overlooked, especially for memory concerns. It is able to facilitate neuronal-activity in the brain, support circulation and provide the normal function of your blood vessels and glucose metabolism.

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