Dr. Curtis McElroy

Category: Healthy Eating

  • How To Increase Your Energy Naturally

    How To Increase Your Energy Naturally

    Different ways that we can quickly boost our energy levels and be supermen (and women) scream at us from every nook and cranny – pharmacies, supermarkets, media and any other method that might catch our attention.

    The energy market is huge – so many companies are capitalizing on the trend. Simply pop a pill or drink a drink and work or dance into the night. The problem is, that from these artificial highs, we have to eventually come down – and sometimes, it’s not a pretty sight.

    These vitamins, herbs and supplements in the form of pills or drinks come in pretty packages with lightning bolts and photos of six-pack abs and arm muscles on the labels to indicate how powerful you’ll be when you try this product.

    Products that promise quick energy boosts may increase your energy levels temporarily, but there are choices that you can make in your daily lifestyle that can provide enhancement to your everyday energy levels on a permanent basis.

    The following are a few ways to naturally boost your energy:

    Give up foods with chemicals and those that are processed or artificial.

    Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.

    Cleanse your digestive system, including the colon. A slow-moving colon can cause health problems and fatigue.

    Reduce stress in your life by paring down your lifestyle to a manageable level.

    Eat several small meals per day.

    Streamline your life. Get rid of clutter and other things in your life that do nothing for you.

    Get enough sleep – but not too much. Too much sleep leaves you feeling lethargic.

    Drink juice – especially carrot and apple juice for energy.

    Check your thyroid level. A low thyroid reading could cause fatigue and depression.

    Exercise. If you can’t exercise, practice deep breathing routines to get your blood flowing and your brain more active.

     Surround yourself with motivating and happy people.

    If a long commute to work is making you tired, talk to your boss about working from home.

    We all tend to suffer from energy slumps at some time or other, but if you follow the simple tips above you’ll soon feel more energetic during the times you need it most. Remember to keep your body hydrated, especially during exercise and stressful times.

    The first symptom of dehydration is fatigue. Your body just isn’t getting what it needs to function properly when you don’t get enough water. You can also limit your intake of caffeine and substitute herbal teas and drinks instead. There are a wide variety of flavorful and healthy herbal teas that can give you the lift you need without the down feeling you get from caffeinated drinks.

  • Best Vitamins For Boosting Your Energy

    Which vitamins are best for boosting your energy?

    Vitamins can help your health in many ways and some can provide that boost of energy you need to accomplish more during the day when you need it. There are energy drinks, but most of them are loaded with caffeine to keep you awake and to stimulate the nerves.

    Energy vitamin supplements have experienced a boost of growth in the world of vitamins and the reason might be that our diets and lifestyles have become so much more limited and stressful.

    People are finding it more and more appealing to be able to take energy pills to give them the energy they need and still be good for their health. Supplements that supply a source of energy to your body work in three different ways:

    1.) Stimulant – Stimulant supplements can range from chocolate and caffeine to the energy-boosting Co-Q-10. These types of supplements add a boost to your metabolism quickly and let you get quick bursts of energy.

    2.) Nutrients – Your body’s cells use the energy supplied in nutrients gained from supplements such as Co-Q-10, some B- vitamins and amino acids. You can get the nutrients you need by eating a well-balanced diet, but most people don’t get enough.

    3.) Calories – Calories don’t have to be the villain in every diet. Used wisely, the energy elements contained in energy drinks, bars and some foods can help you rev up your blood sugar and gain boosts of energy.

    Vitamin B-12 is a good supplemental choice for those who are suffering from an excessive loss of energy, memory problems and mood changes. Many women lack Vitamin B-12 no matter how well they plan their diet.

    Long-term, taking Vitamin B-12 supplements can help you renew red blood cells and help convert the food you eat into energy that can boost your metabolism. Your health care provider can perform a simple blood test to see if you’re lacking in Vitamin B-12 and determine how much you need to take to make a difference in your energy level.

    There are many reasons why you may need to take certain vitamins to boost your energy level. One is if you’re taking certain medications that might zap your Vitamin B-12 levels. Medications that may make you at risk are proton pump inhibitors that reduce acid in your stomach. Daily doses of aspirin can also reduce Vitamin B-12 levels.

    To determine the types of supplemental vitamins you should be taking for energy, you should consult with your health care professional. Going through menopause, stressful experiences, athletic endeavors and a number of other lifestyle issues might make a difference in which vitamin you should be taking to restore the energy levels you once had.

  • 10 Best Foods To Eat For Optimal Energy

    Top 10 Energy Boosting Foods You Can Eat

    The top complaint of those attempting to balance work and personal life in this fast-paced, stressful world in which we live is not having enough energy to do it all.

    Energy doesn’t come in the form of a magic pill that you can take and immediately escape your feeling of fatigue.

    The main way you can get that energy and maintain it is by eating the right foods several times per day.

    The following are the top 10 healthy foods that can help boost your energy:

    1. Bananas – Adding more fruits to your diet can provide lasting benefits. One of the most important fruits you can add to boost energy are bananas – a powerhouse of potassium and electrolytes that help stimulate the nerves and muscles.

    2. Almonds – These little nuts are chock full of monounsaturated fats that can help your mental clarity and provide Omega-3 oils, essential to combat fatigue and low energy levels.

    3. Oats – Eating oatmeal for breakfast can set you up to have energy throughout the day. Oats provide B vitamins that can turn carbohydrates into energy and give you the fiber you need for nutritional value and a healthy colon.

    4. Lentils (Beans) – A source of fiber, beans also provide B-vitamins, calcium, carbohydrates and protein and can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol.

    5. Chocolate – This incredible source of quick energy has been used for eons to provide antioxidants (dark chocolate) and improve red blood cells. It increases your energy level with the compounds known as tyramind and phenlethylamine. Eat dark chocolate in moderation.

    6. Whole Grains – Whole grain products contain complex carbohydrates, which can increase your energy levels. If you combine the whole grain food (such as bread) with a high-protein food such as peanut butter, you will sustain the energy boost for a longer period of time.

    7. Fruit Juice – Just make sure the juice is 100% pure. Otherwise, you’ll get sugars and other elements that you don’t need and can bring you down from the temporary high you get from the sugar.

    8. Coffee or Tea – If you drink coffee or tea without the sugar and cream, you’ll get the perk you need to stay awake and keep on going. Just don’t drink too much.

    9. Water – Without the benefit of water you won’t be able to absorb the nutrients you do receive from healthy foods. Lack of water intake could cause fatigue because of dehydration.

    10. Salmon – This type of fish can decrease your risk of heart disease by providing you with the Omega 3 acids that you need to be alert and maintain a constant energy level.

    Rather than eating three large meals a day, eating energy-rich foods several times a day lets you pace your energy boosts to accomplish everything you need to do and still get a good nights rest. This strategy can also help in reducing stress and boost your metabolism which will promote weight loss.

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy