Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Have you been taking care of your immune system? There are important nutrients that the body needs to properly defend itself from invading cells. Learn about the factors that can help or harm the immune system.
If you’re interested in a superior pre-workout routine, you need to turn to beets! Beets are a powerful superfood that offer support for nitric oxide and lactic acid build up.
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey. Ph
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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. Panax Ginseng is a helpful herb for energy and endurance when you are fatigued. But if you use it daily, it is good for your memory and overall brain health.
The Benefits of Panax Ginseng
It is native to Eastern Asia and is widely used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Many people take Panax Ginseng to help restore their strength and stamina and to help stimulate the immune system. Ginsenosides (ingredients in the ginseng) seem to be the most responsible agents in the ginseng for its activities.
Ginseng has been used for a wide variety of benefits, including for erectile dysfunction and even type 2 diabetes. It has been shown in studies to help improve insulin sensitivity and reduces insulin resistance. This is very important because if you eat a meal, the insulin is supposed to be released from a gland called the pancreas. It is supposed to pack away the excess sugar to get it out of your blood. Then you can release the excess sugar as needed in between meals so that you have a consistent source of energy. In people with diabetes, they have resistance to the effects of insulin and their sugar stays high after a meal. In studies, when researchers gave Panax Ginseng to people with diabetes, it reduced their insulin resistance. Separate research has also found that it helps people who low grade high blood pressure or high blood pressure (pre-hypertension).
Research has found that in post-menopausal women, ginseng also improved their cardiovascular health. It has also been used in women who’s hands and feet get cold easily. A number of randomized clinical trials shown that Ginseng helps alleviate idiopathic chronic fatigue, or individuals who are always fatigued but no one can find out why.
Ginsenosides, especially called RB1, has been shown to improve the release of acetyl-choline. This is fantastic! Acetyl-choline levels vary from person to person and drops with age. It does incredibly important things in the brain. For instance, acetyl-choline hard wires brain connectivity – the neural networks and pathways between brain cells. The synaptic region of the brain is where inflammation flows from cell to cell. It also plays a role in cognition function, specifically with memory and learning. It also helps GABA work better.
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It is normal to have a little bit of muscle soreness after your workout. But once you hit about 35 years old, it takes longer to recover from physical activity. Here are some tips on preventing muscle soreness.
With so much fitness technology on the market it may be difficult for you to decide which is worth it. The one thing many experts can agree on? Monitoring your heart rate is one of the most important parts of your workout.
Think about all that you do in one day. You wake up early to hit the gym, have to meet numerous deadlines each day at work while sitting and staring at a computer screen all day, and still have to make a healthy meal for dinner when you finally get home. If you’re a student, you’re likely cramming for this weeks exam. If you’re a parent, you have to make it through the work day on little sleep after trying to put the kids to bed. It’s no wonder why you’re experiencing burn out more than ever before.
The good news is that there are natural options that can help keep you focused throughout the day to get all of your tasks done, products called Nootropics.
Nootropics are products that have been shown to enhance your cognitive capacity, from supporting memory to concentration. We’re not talking about those jitter-inducing, sugar-filled energy drinks! These are products that combine science-based ingredients to work synergistically to provide you with the mental benefits your brain is craving after a long day.
A significant amount of research has been done on nootropics, specifically with dietary supplements for supporting cognitive function, memory, focus and productity. One ingredient, Alpha-GPC, stands out above the rest.
Choline is a fatty B-vitamin or nutrient, which is required by all cells in the body. You can obtain Choline from foods like shrimp and eggs, but it can also be obtained by supplementation.
Here’s how it works – choline plays an important part in many processes in your body, including cell structure, cell messaging, fat transport, metabolism, DNA synthesis and your nervous system. L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine (Alpha-GPC) is a very efficient source of choline. It is a high-potency precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is essential for learning and memory. It has been shown to raise the body’s levels of acetylcholine faster and keep them elevated for longer, as it contains a high amount of choline in its molecules and it easily passes through the blood-brain barrier (making it more bioavailable).
Cognitive Benefits
In terms of cognition, Alpha-GPC has been shown to support memory, learning and thinking skins. It does this by increasing acetylcholine in the brain. In a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, Alpha-GPC supplementation was found to be beneficial for certain physical and mental performance tasks when used by young adults. Serial Subtraction Test scores were 18% faster in those receiving 400mg of Alpha-GPC, compared to those receiving 200mg of caffeine. Plus, the group consuming caffeine had significantly higher scores for jitteriness, compared to those in the Alpha-GPC group.
Physical Performance
In terms of physical performance, Alpha-GPC has been down to promote the synthesis of the human growth hormone, especially when combined with exercise. Some studies show it can boost physical performance even more than caffeine. One 2017 study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found Alpha-GPC to be effective at increasing lower body force production after 6 days of supplementation. Researchers of the study noted that sport performance coaches can consider adding Alpha-GPC to the diet of speed and power athletes to enhance muscle performance.