absolute brighton

ABSOLUTE HEALTH
Do you find that throughout the day you
are reaching for caffeine and sugar to give
yourself a little boost, only to find that an hour
later you are tired again? Are you beginning to
wonder if there might be another way to increase
your energy? Grabbing a sugary snack to improve
your mental energy will not work in the long
run as it puts you on a roller coaster ride with
manic bursts and tired lows. It’s true that eating
sugar and caffeine will give you a quick peak. But
after the quick spike, your glucose level will then
drop dramatically and when this happens your
brain will lose its ability to concentrate and your
body will shut down and need yet another sweet,
chocolate bar or cup of coffee. So again we reach
for another treat trying to maintain the balance
we all desire.
The truth is that the balance we all desire lies in
eating things that create just that… balance. In
order to get off the roller coaster, we need to
give up sugar and caffeine, or at least have them
sparingly.
Remember that there are some important
vitamins for staying alert. Vitamin C and the all
essential B vitamins are incredibly important for
maintaining adrenal gland balance. The adrenal
glands are generally responsible for optimum
energy, and when they are imbalanced we feel
tired. Sugar and coffee get the adrenals working,
and then crashing. These vitamins will keep these
and all other glands in the body in balance.
Fortunately, there are many great snacks that will
allow us to maintain balance and vitality.
Raw chocolate is the new snickers… and it really
does satisfy you! Raw chocolate is generally
sweetened with natural sweeteners such as
stevia and agave nectar, and they don’t cause
the rush. Unheated chocolate does not have the
38 ABSOLUTE
TIME TO
WAKE UP
This month, our health expert Sheryl
Waters explores ways in which we
can increase our energy levels
overwhelming punch of caffeine that cooked
chocolate does. It also contains all of its natural
mineral content that gets destroyed in heating.
People who eat raw chocolate tend to feel
energized, without the dip. Raw chocolate is
making us all realize that we can in fact have our
cake and eat it too, without the dips!
Raw chocolate often comes with healing herbs
inside, or you can get the raw ingredients and
make it yourself, adding your own favorite energy
boosting herbs that work for you. Some of the
most popular include:
Maca- this is a nutritionally dense super-food that
contains high amounts of vitality giving minerals,
vitamins, enzymes and all of the essential amino
acids. Maca root is rich in B-vitamins, which are
the energy vitamins. To boot, maca is known as
nature’s Viagra and it balances the hormonal
system.
“Raw chocolate is making
us all realize that we can in
fact have our cake and
eat it too...”
Ginseng is an incredible performance enhancer
and pick-me-up tonic. Ginseng is an ancient
Chinese herb that is well known for its ability to
give energy and make you feel alive and well.
Guarana is a great herb from Brazil that is similar
to caffeine, but without the negative effect on
your adrenal glands. It is a great party herb and
mid afternoon wake up booster.
Some other easy keys for staying alert: Start your
day by eating a fiber-rich breakfast like oatmeal.
This will deliver glucose over a longer period of
time without the energy spike so you will have
more energy and less fatigue throughout the day.
You may also have fewer memory problems, fall
asleep faster and suffer less depression. Instead
of energy drinks that typically contain 8 teaspoons
of sugar or coffee that gets you boosted, switch
to green tea. Green tea is great for the adrenal
glands and the body, but still gives you a hit of
caffeine. Bananas are a great pick-me-up because
they are high in potassium. Potassium is a mineral
your body needs to convert sugar in your
blood into energy. Peppermint not only freshens
your breath, it freshens your brain. The smell of
peppermint has been shown to lower fatigue,
increase alertness, and decrease frustration.
Peppermint oil increases alertness by stimulating
the trigeminal nerve (this is the same nerve that is
activated by smelling salts). Try taking a long whiff
of peppermint oil the next time you need a boost.
Peppermint tea is also effective. Sometimes a
boost is as simple as a drink of water. Dehydration
is a significant factor in fatigue. A recent study
found that even a 2% dip in one’s hydration level
(this would be the point where you would start
to feel a bit thirsty) contributes to a decrease in
short-term memory and even the ability to add
and subtract. And remember, your body needs
movement to feel alive and alert. Exercise creates
more energy. If time is a problem, even a miniwork
out can be effective.
Your body and brain will thank you for stepping
off the rollercoaster that sugary food and caffeine
produce. Try some of these natural ways to
improve your energy levels and maintain harmony
and balance in your body and mind!