The Energy Drink Blog

Virtually everyone has suffered from a headache at one point or another. There are some that experience them frequently due to lifestyle factors such as high stress, poor diet, a decline in health, or lack of sleep. Whatever the cause, there may be a resolution for ending them once and for all. There are several types of headaches one can experience but generally categorized into four groups.

Tension headaches are generally brought on by stress and caused by tight muscles in the shoulders, neck, or jaw. They are usually the least offensive pain wise and generally go away in a short amount of time.

Migraine headaches are an unbearable type of pain that can make a person extremely sensitive to light and sound, or cause severe nausea. They can be debilitating and persist for more than a few hours. They are associated with high stress or hormonal changes and are more common in women than men.

Cluster headaches can mimic similar symptoms of a migraine but are considered to be more of a sudden piercing pain rather than a constant throbbing. Cluster headaches last as little as 15 minutes or up to 3 hours. They are extremely painful and generally persist in one area of the head. They are very much like clock work and often strike at the same time when they occur. Lack of sleep, poor diet, or too much alcohol can trigger these headaches.

Sinus headaches usually occur when the sinuses become congested and infected from an allergy attack or a cold. Common symptoms include pressure around the eyes, cheeks, or forehead. Generally the symptoms of a sinus headache can be treated by medication for the sinus infection itself.

Although some people are affected on a regular basis by headaches there are easy solutions to help prevent the onset of one. For instance, one of the easiest ways to limit the occurrence of a headache is to simply get adequate sleep. Studies show that while you sleep the body releases specific hormones that support immunity and well being. Lack of sleep puts you at risk for unwanted pain and a decline in overall health.

Diet is another factor that should be addressed because consuming too much alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, or sugar can trigger headaches. Staying properly hydrated is very important because the body is about 70 percent water and requires adequate fluid intake in order to keep all bodily functions working properly.  A headache can be the direct result of inadequate fluid consumption. Steer clear of certain preservatives or additives such as MSG which is a food additive commonly found in Chinese dishes. Artificial sweeteners such as splenda or aspartame should also be avoided as these are chemically altered sugars that are not digestible. The end result of consuming either is generally upset stomach or headaches as the body tries to process and eliminate them.

Chronic stress and anxiety can often trigger the onset of a headache. Engaging in calming activities such as meditating, hot baths, regular exercise, massages, or eliminating noisy activities can reduce regular episodes.

On rare occasions you should seek medical attention if you experience a headache that is out of the ordinary from trauma to the head, loss of consciousness, or if it comes on sudden and severe leaving you unable to function. For some people the use of over the counter pain relievers may sub side mild pain. The use of these pain relievers should be used on an occasional basis as they may cause stomach bleeding when ingested frequently.

Your metabolism is the key to burning fat and calories efficiently. As we age weight-loss can become difficult for a number of reasons but one of the most common reasons is due to a sluggish metabolism. Here are some changes you can make to help kick your fat burning furnace into high gear and keep it there.

Begin your day first thing in the morning with an intense workout of cardio.  It’s best to do this upon waking because you burn calories from stored body fat rather than calories consumed over the course of the day.  It’s also a great way to get energized for the day and keep your metabolism revved for hours.

Eat a healthy breakfast shortly after you workout but don’t eat a heavy meal. Choose sources of food that are high in fiber and protein as they will keep you satisfied longer and take longer to digest.

Eat small portions or snacks instead of sitting down to large meals. Eating frequently in smaller amounts is easier on the digestive system and prevents the stomach from being stretched. It also prevents binge eating later in the day.

Try to consume only complex carbohydrates such as slow cooked oatmeal, brown rice, or whole grain bread instead of refined starchy carbs. Complex carbs offer a high source of fiber and satisfy hunger longer because they take longer to digest. The key with consuming carbohydrates is to eat them earlier in the day when your metabolism is at its highest so they are easily converted to energy and burned off. This means that a couple servings during the day would be ok while omitting them at dinner would be a better option.

Proper elimination is very important when it comes to having a healthy metabolism. If you are not going to the bathroom daily you may want to think about doing a colon cleanse. By cleansing the body you are eliminating toxins and chemicals that can slow your metabolism down. This is also a great way to increase your energy naturally, and clear up your skin. It allows the liver to process waste more efficiently which can help boost metabolism and weight-loss.

Make sure you are drinking enough water everyday because it is required for just about every bodily function. Water is also important for proper elimination and helps with regularity by drawing fluid to the colon for waste removal.

Get adequate sleep each night and you will continue to burn calories at a rapid rate. Studies show that lack of sleep not only attributes to weight gain, but it also slows the metabolism down and inhibits the lack of growth hormone which is necessary for  rejuvenating the body and burning fat more effectively.

As we get older it becomes harder to lose weight for various reasons. Keep these healthy tips in mind and you can burn calories effectively at any age.

Antioxidants are nutrients naturally found in the foods we eat. They offer protection to our cells from oxidative damage. They also slow the aging process and prevent various illnesses and diseases. Some of the most common health problems associated with oxidative damage can be cancer, heart disease, eye problems, or diabetes. This is why eating a diet loaded in antioxidants is so essential. Although there are various sources of food that contain them, they can also be found in supplement form as well. Here are some common antioxidants found in the foods we eat.

Vitamin A is found in many orange or brightly colored vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, peaches, squash, tomatoes, apricots, kale, or broccoli as well as a variety of sources of protein. These sources contain what is known as beta-carotene which is a nutrient that converts to vitamin A as the body needs it. Vitamin A is beneficial for eye health, skin, cancer prevention, strong bone health, and protection from bacterial and viral infections. Since beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body, you should try to get it from your diet first because it is a fat soluble vitamin is not excreted daily.

Vitamin C is commonly found in all citrus fruits, leafy greens, strawberries, and tomatoes. It is an antioxidant that can prevent and protect the body from illness, increase immunity and energy, protect cells from cancer, and stimulate collagen production. Vitamin C can also be supplemented daily because it is a water soluble vitamin that is not stored in the body. The recommended daily requirement can range from 500-2000mg depending on individual needs.

Vitamin E is generally found in most nuts, various greens, and fruits such as kiwis or mangos. It is vital for protecting the skin from any kind of ultra violet light or skin damage. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, and stretch marks when applied topically. When taken internally it can help prevent muscle cramping, asthma, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, prostate, and breast cancer. A general recommended daily dose is 200-400mcg in supplement form deriving from a natural source. Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin so depending on how much you get from your diet can also determine how much to supplement.

Selenium is a trace mineral that is commonly known for protecting against various cancers. It can be found in nuts and almost all animal proteins. The recommended daily intake is about 200mcg and can be taken in supplement form.

Although antioxidants may be supplemented, it is best to attain them from a diet with a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and protein to gain the benefits of their protection.

Scales can be really vague and a serious compulsion for some people. The need to constantly step on one can be a daily battle because we have such high expectations and base our self worth on a number. It can literally make some people spiral into depression and use food as a coping mechanism or turn exercise into a neurosis in hopes that a new number will magically appear and make everything ok.

Here’s what’s wrong with that foolish device. First, they are everywhere so that doesn’t help. We see them at the doctor’s office, on the bathroom floor, or pass one in the gym on the way to the elliptical machine. In any case, our society is obsessed with body image and we put too much emphasis on unhealthy thinking instead of teaching the fundamentals of good health. Here’s how it should be. A scale should be used on an occasion to get a general idea of how much you weigh or as a tool to track your progress for a weight-loss program. The need to jump on one every morning is simply out of compulsion and the habitual practice needs to be broken. So what does that number really represent? Here are some significant things to remember the next time you want to torment yourself.

The figure you see when you look between you feet signifies a few things. A portion of it is comprised of fat, muscle tissue, water and fluid, and bone mass. Imagine taking all 206 bones out of your body and laying them on a scale, you would be amazed at the portion of body weight they make up. Also take into consideration that the body is about 70 percent water and that you are constantly excreting and replenishing fluid so there will be a fluctuation in weight on a daily basis depending on hydration levels.  Muscle tissue is also very dense so the more muscle mass you have the higher the number you will see. This is not a bad thing however because muscle weighs more than fat and it also speeds up metabolism and helps burn calories more effectively. This should help to put things into perspective a little better.

If you are ready to begin a weight-loss program, step on the scale to track your initial starting point. Don’t make this a daily habit though as it may sabotage your efforts. Instead, pick one day a week like first thing Monday mornings to check your progress. For anyone maintaining their weight or just plain curious, don’t check obsessively, try weekly as well. There is no need to start a fixation on a gadget that is inconclusive in my opinion. When you wait longer in between weighing yourself you will notice better results and motivation will become second nature.

Having your fat percentage checked or your Body Mass Index (BMI) which is the ratio of fat versus lean body mass will tell you a lot more about your health than the total number on a scale. One thing I try to keep in mind is that if I like the way I feel in my clothes or that they are getting looser, then I know that my hard efforts are paying off and I’m on the right track. We all have good and bad days when it comes to losing or maintaining weight. The important thing is to make healthy lifestyle changes to achieve a sense of well-being instead of falling for trendy diets that don’t work. Taking care of your self should be a way of life and not a temporary solution. You won’t need to step on a scale everyday if your mind and body healthy are both healthy.

Many of us probably don’t get the recommended daily requirements when it comes to vegetables. For those that are opposed to eating them there is an easier way to consume the once boring broccoli, kale, or spinach and that technique is juicing. Juicing is quite popular in many areas of the country and has been around for years. In today’s society people are putting more emphasis on health and personal appearance. Juicing provides the body both internal and external benefits as well as an overall sense of well being.

Some of the obvious advantages of juicing are rapid absorption of nutrients such as raw enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. In fact, fresh juiced vegetables are digested and absorbed in as little as 30 minutes. This immediate assimilation can add a great deal of protection to the body and help out an unhealthy immune system. This is not the same case however when you purchase store bought juices as these may contain chemicals, preservatives and ungodly amounts of sugar.

Most fasting or cleansing programs suggest juicing as a way to detoxify the body. Green leafy vegetables are rich in a nutrient called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a natural occurring substance found in plants and algae, this is what gives the plant its natural green color. It is also chock-full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. Chlorophyll can safeguard the body from various cancers as well as provide protection to our cells from free radical damage. And, if that’s not enough when you drink one of these vitamin packed green drinks you will naturally boost your energy without experiencing crash like effects from caffeine. Juicing allows us to get more vegetables in our diet by condensing them into liquid and supplying the body with a substantial amount of nutrition.

So how easy is it to juice and how long should you do it for? Well if you purchase a high-quality juicer from a reputable retailer, juicing can be very easy for anyone. Not only will you get a lifetime of use out of it, you will also get a lifetime of proper nutrition. As for how long or how often, well you can do it periodically for cleansing purposes or for various health issues, or incorporate it as a daily part of your routine. Many health food stores are now offering juice bars for those that don’t have the time but still want the health benefits that it has to offer.  In fact, it’s just as easy to order fresh vegetable juice in some places as it is to order a cup of coffee.

The most common vegetables juiced are, spinach, kale, endive, cucumbers, parsley, bok choi, garlic, ginger, wheatgrass, watercress, broccoli, and various herbs. If these sounds a bit intense at first try adding in an apple or a pear to sweeten things up a little and you will be amazed at how delicious your once loathed vegetables taste. Another important thing to know is that you should always buy organically grown vegetables whenever possible. Organically grown vegetables and fruits are grown without the use of pesticides, chemicals, or genetically modified organisms and are much healthier for you and contain a higher nutrient content. If you can’t find organic produce in your grocery store make sure you sanitize your vegetables thoroughly to remove any residues before consuming.

Do you find that you run out of energy at the same time everyday? You get a respectable 8 hours of sleep each night and you feel fairly rejuvenated when you wake up. So why is afternoon fatigue a problem then?  Well, your body functions very much like a clock, in the sense that your brain can train itself to wake up at the same time each day and feel worn out at the same time as well. By implementing some changes in your day, you can prolong exhaustion until you are ready to hit the pillow at night.

One of the most significant ways to put off afternoon fatigue is to eat a healthy breakfast when you wake up. Studies show that the hormone leptin decreases while you sleep which in turn increases appetite. After sleeping for 8 hours the body’s natural response is to feel an increase in appetite when you get up. When you eat breakfast leptin increases which turns the hunger switch off and turns your energy switch on. By eating breakfast, you are fueling your body as well as your brain. Skipping this important meal can lead to overeating later in the day and increase afternoon fatigue very quickly.

Switching your workout program to the a.m. may provide better energy benefits than later in the day. One of the best times to partake in physical activity is first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Not only do you burn fat more effectively, but you keep your metabolism revved for hours when you finish. The energy that a good workout provides to the body is a natural way to increase vitality without the use of harsh stimulants. Early exercise also increases the hormones serotonin and dopamine, which enhance mood and motivation. These are 2 very important things to get through a long workday.

Natural sunlight is a great way to feel rejuvenated when your mind and body are run down. Working in a dark environment can trigger the body’s natural sleep response to begin earlier in the day. Take a break whenever you can and get out in natural daylight or get up from your work area and stretch for a few minutes. If you are given a lunch break each day, take it. Use this time to wake yourself up and get refreshed by moving around or getting outside and giving your brain a rest.

Lastly, try to get yourself into the habit of going to bed at the same time each night and your body will get itself into a natural rhythm. Lack of sleep is a sure way to feel completely wiped out the following day which may cause you to over do it on caffeine. If you are use to watching TV or doing any kind of stimulating activities in the bedroom, this may be a good time to curtail this tendency and designate the bedroom for sleep only. You may find it helpful to try a natural sleep aid if you have difficulty falling asleep. Supplementing melatonin can help support your body’s natural production of this sleep hormone and keep you sleeping soundly through the night.