sluggish Archives - Amazing Health Advances

“Rev Up” Naturally with Herbs for Energy and Mental Focus

AHA Publisher — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 08:12:55 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365– Whether we call it exhaustion, burnout, tiredness, or fatigue, most of us experience low levels of energy from time to time. Many people turn to high-sugar, caffeine-laden foods and drinks to fight fatigue, but unpleasant side effects – such as the well-known “sugar crash” or jangled nerves from too much coffee – make these remedies far from ideal. Fortunately, studies suggest that certain herbs and nutrients can spur flagging concentration and boost energy. For instance, a recent review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology highlights the ability of Panax ginseng to increase fatigue resistance. The following natural solutions may help you restore mental sharpness and physical stamina – and turn your energy from “fizzling” to “sizzling.” Adaptogenic and Antioxidant Herbs Like Ginseng, Sage, & Goldenroot Can Improve Energy & Attention A time-honored herbal remedy for fatigue, ginseng contains antioxidant compounds called ginsenosides, which have been shown to improve exercise performance, boost mental alertness and lift mood. A 2020 scientific review showed that ginseng helped decrease fatigue and reduce malondialdehyde levels (a marker of oxidative stress) while increasing antioxidants such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase. The scientists concluded that ginseng could be recommended for “routine use” against fatigue. To bolster concentration, increase energy and brighten outlook, natural healers typically advise amounts from 200 mg to 1,000 mg of ginseng a day. Check with your integrative doctor before supplementing with ginseng. Botanically known as Salvia, sage is packed with potent antioxidants, including luteolin, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, and apigenin. This fragrant garden herb and cooking spice has long been associated with knowledge and learning. In fact, the word “sage” literally means “wise.” Studies have suggested that sage inhibits a compound known as acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down acetylcholine, a brain chemical important for healthy cognitive function. Researchers believe that this allows sage to help improve concentration, promote alertness and even enhance word recall. Natural health experts typically advise dried, powdered sage leaf in amounts of 300 to 600 mg a day – but get the thumbs-up from a physician before supplementing. Rhodiola rosea, also known as goldenroot and artic root, is classified as an adaptogen or substance acknowledged as helping the body adapt to physical and emotional stress. Native to Siberia, northern Europe, and Asia, rhodiola is treasured in herbal healing for its ability to improve physical stamina and improve alertness. In fact, it has traditionally been used by mountaineers in the Himalayas to enhance physical stamina and sharpen reflexes. Nowadays, rhodiola is believed to be particularly helpful against fatigue and “burnout” (emotional and/or physical exhaustion resulting from chronic occupational stress). In one study, 400 mg of rhodiola rosea a day significantly improved energy level, concentration, and mood. Consult with your integrative doctor before supplementing. Other herbs believed to have an energizing effect include gotu kola, maca, Siberian ginseng, and ashwagandha. Renew Energy with Essential Oils For many, the warm, spicy fragrance of peppermint is linked with a sense of increased well-being and renewed energy. Studies show that using this essential oil through aromatherapy can brighten mood, spark better athletic performance and increase alertness. A hybrid of spearmint – botanically known as Mentha spicata – and water mint, or Mentha aquatica, peppermint essential oil can be ingested by way of a diffuser. You can also use peppermint oil topically by mixing a few drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil, such as olive or coconut oil, and massaging it into the skin. Peppermint oil shouldn’t be taken internally and is not for use on children. Check with your doctor before using peppermint oil. (Pro tip: Other essential oils thought to boost energy include rosemary, lemon, cinnamon, and lavender). Boost Energy with Common-Sense Solutions Although it may seem counterintuitive, the truth is that sometimes you have to expend energy to boost energy. Taking a brisk stroll promotes healthy blood flow, which can help to restore a sense of vitality. In addition, an appropriate exercise program also supports a calm, stable mood, helping to reduce the anxiety that can drain energy. Restful sleep is also a “must.” The act of sleeping increases levels of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, also known as the “energy” molecule. Between 7 and 9 hours of sleep, a night appears to be the sweet spot for optimal energy for most adults. Sleep hygiene experts advise sleeping in a totally darkened room, free of intrusive outdoor light and “blue” light from computer screens and cell phones. Being dehydrated can cause energy to plummet. Most authorities recommend that a 150-lb person consume about 75 ounces of water a day. Pure, filtered water flavored with lemon is a great choice for staying hydrated. Remember, liquid-rich fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, can also help you reach your fluid quotient for the day. Keep sweetened and caffeinated beverages to a minimum. Of course, maintaining a healthy blood sugar level is the key by eating nutritious, organic meals with good quality fats and protein. Stay away from processed sugars – especially if you suffer with blood sugar problems. If you need help, seek the advice of an experienced health coach. Hopefully, you can enlist these solutions to help you fight “the blahs,” banish brain fog – and refresh and restore your energy levels naturally. Sources for this article include: GaiaHerbs.com WTHN.com Healthline.com Healthline.com TheHealthy.com To read the original article click here.

The post “Rev Up” Naturally with Herbs for Energy and Mental Focus appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Feel Sluggish? Here’s How to Get Your Energy Back

AHA Publisher — Wed, 26 May 2021 07:00:28 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN News – Do you feel tired all the time? If so, you’re not alone. Too many of us feel sluggish because we consume too many unhealthy foods and drinks. Other lifestyle choices can add to the problem. Over time the problem has gotten worse, according to best-selling author Dr. Steven Gundry who says certain energy traps rob of us our vitality and cause us to feel sick and tired most days, which is a threat to our health. “Fatigue and tiredness is an epidemic in this country,” he told CBN News, “Well over fifty percent of people actually complain of chronic tiredness and that includes Millennials. And that’s certainly not our experience in years past.” In his book The Energy Paradox: What to Do When Your Get-Up-and-Go Has Got Up and Gone, Dr. Gundry describes the changes to our modern lifestyle that have led to increased tiredness, moodiness, brain fog, or weight gain. “Two o’clock in the afternoon all systems seem to go on pause,” he explained, “You don’t feel like working or doing anything with the kids, want to lie down or reach for an energy bar or some other type of pick me up like a cup of coffee.” Unhealthy Gut Dr. Gundry says the primary cause of our low energy stems from an unhealthy gut. He said too many of us lack the good bacteria, called probiotics, that are necessary to adequately power our bodies. Probiotics can be consumed in a number of ways, such as in supplements, foods like yogurt and kimchi as well as beverages like kombucha. Additionally, those bacteria need to flourish by eating fiber-rich foods called prebiotics. Prebiotics can be consumed in supplement form and in many fiber-rich foods like fresh vegetables such as asparagus, onions, dandelion greens, and broccoli. The good bacteria “Actually actually communicate to the energy-producing organelles in all our cells called the mitochondria to make more energy, Dr. Gundry said, “So the probiotics that you manufacture by eating prebiotics literally turbocharges your energy.” Dr. Gundry went on to explain that an unhealthy gut often leaks, thereby further depleting our body’s energy reserves. “If you’re tired and fatigued you have leaky gut,” he said. That’s the condition where holes develop in the thin lining of the gut, allowing food and proteins to escape. When that happens, it causes an immune reaction, which triggers inflammation, a process that drains huge amounts of our precious energy. “Inflammation is actually our white blood cells, our immune system, our foot soldiers, if you will, attacking threats that come into our body primarily through the lining of our gut,” he said. Dr. Gundry says unhealthy foods such as sugar and processed foods can harm the gut. Don’t Overmedicate Dr. Gundry says too many medications can also harm the gut, particularly antibiotics. “Please, please, please try to avoid taking antibiotics for simple things like runny noses or scratchy throats,” he said, adding that antibiotics kill virtually all of the bacteria in the gut. Sometimes antibiotics are life-saving drugs that effectively treat deadly bacterial infections. However, too often they are used to treat viral infections and therefore have no effect at all except to destroy the good gut bacteria. Furthermore, Dr. Gundry warns about eating foods that have been given these drugs. “Try to avoid eating animals that have been raised with antibiotics with factory farms,” he said, “It turns out antibiotics kill off most of the good bugs in our intestines that actually protect us from leaky gut.” “We actually produce ATP, energy, from sunlight exposure,” he said. In order to feel energetic during the day, we need a good night’s sleep. However, blue light coming from our electronics can keep us from falling asleep. Dr. Gundry recommends turning them off hours before bedtime or at night, wearing glasses that block the blue light. Dr. Gundry warns against taking certain heartburn and acid indigestion medications longer than two weeks. “We now know that these actually stop the energy-producing organelles the mitochondria from working because they interrupt how mitochondria produce energy which is called proton pumping,” he said. More Vitamin D, Better Sleep Dr. Gundry says people suffering from low energy usually need more Vitamin D. He recommends a 5,000 IU daily supplement and more time outside. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

The post Feel Sluggish? Here’s How to Get Your Energy Back appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Lack of Sleep and Stress Can Lead to Symptoms Resembling Concussion

AHA Publisher — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 08:00:12 +0000

Ohio State University via EurekAlert – COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new study suggests that a lot of people might be going through life with symptoms that resemble concussion – a finding supporting researchers’ argument that athletes recovering from a brain injury should be assessed and treated on a highly individualized basis. In the national study, between 11% and 27% of healthy college athletes with no history of a recent concussion reported combinations of symptoms that met criteria for post-concussion syndrome (PCS) as defined by an international classification system. Among the nearly 31,000 student-athletes surveyed, three factors stood out as the most likely to predict PCS-like symptoms: lack of sleep, pre-existing mental health problems and stress. The participants were cadets from four U.S. military service academies – who undergo rigorous training and are required to participate in athletics – and students who competed in NCAA sports at 26 U.S. higher education institutions. Beyond the substantial numbers of students who reported clusters of PCS-like symptoms, between one-half and three-quarters of all of the athletes surveyed reported one or more symptoms commonly experienced by people who’ve had a concussion, the most common being fatigue or low energy and drowsiness. “The numbers were high, and were consistent with previous research in this area, but it is quite shocking,” said study lead author Jaclyn Caccese, assistant professor in The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. “These are elite athletes who are physically fit, and they are experiencing that many symptoms commonly reported following concussion. So looking across the general population, they’d probably have even more.” It’s important to understand that there are multiple sources of these symptoms, researchers say, so that student-athletes’ post-concussion care zeroes in on symptoms caused by the injury. In addition, knowing athletes’ medical history and baseline symptom status may help clinicians predict which pre-existing factors could contribute to a slower recovery from a concussion. “When a patient comes into a clinic and they are a month or more out from their most recent concussion, we need to know what symptoms they were experiencing before their concussion to know if their symptoms are attributable to their concussion or something else. Then we can start treating the concussion-related symptoms to hopefully help people recover more quickly,” Caccese said. This study, published last week in the journal Sports Medicine, was conducted by the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium established by the NCAA and U.S. Department of Defense. Caccese completed the research while she was a PhD student and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware, a consortium member institution. The initiative is designed to fill gaps in knowledge about concussion effects and recovery among student-athletes at colleges, universities and military service academies by collecting and analyzing data on men and women who compete in a range of sports and undergo military training. Participants in this study included 12,039 military service academy cadets and 18,548 NCAA student-athletes who completed the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool symptom evaluation as part of the consortium’s baseline testing. The consortium also collected demographic data and personal and family medical histories from participants. Statistical analyses showed which factors in athletes’ medical histories were most closely associated with reports of symptoms that aligned with PCS criteria. Among cadets, 17.8% of men and 27.6% of women reported a cluster of symptoms that met PCS criteria. Among NCAA athletes, 11.4% of men and 20% of women reported combined symptoms that mimicked the PCS criteria. (Caccese said the varied timing of data collection at military service academies compared to NCAA preseason testing likely contributed to the symptoms reported by a higher percentage of cadets.) For both groups, sleep problems – and particularly insufficient sleep the night before the test – and pre-existing psychiatric disorders were the most predictive conditions, and a history of migraines also contributed to symptoms that met PCS criteria. In cadets, academic problems and being a first-year student increased odds of having symptoms that met PCS criteria, and in NCAA athletes, a history of ADHD or depression contributed to meeting PCS criteria. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision uses the term post-concussion syndrome for persistent symptoms following concussion, although the cause or causes of these symptoms can be difficult to determine. Symptoms range from persistent headaches, dizziness and fatigue to anxiety, insomnia and loss of concentration and memory. A complicating factor with high symptom reporting is that recognizing concussion and determining return to play is based on reported symptoms. And while some symptoms may be more closely connected to concussion than others – such as dizziness, pressure in the head, or sensitivity to light or noise – others, like fatigue, drowsiness and even headaches, can be linked to a variety of causes. “Perhaps we can create a battery of symptoms more specific to concussion,” Caccese said. “That is another project in this series – trying to see if there are groups of symptoms or specific symptoms that may be more able to identify individuals with concussion.” The CARE Consortium also aims to identify factors that will help predict outcomes in student-athletes and cadets who suffer concussions. “This hopefully not only shows clinicians that we need to consider how people would have presented before injury, but also provides some normative data so they can interpret other patients’ data,” Caccese said. “We really don’t know a lot about why people have persistent symptoms, and it seems to be very variable. So we’re trying to understand this better to help predict who will have a prolonged recovery, and who will not.” To read the original article click here.

The post Lack of Sleep and Stress Can Lead to Symptoms Resembling Concussion appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.