Looking for balance? Fighting fatigue? Your diet might be a place to start

(BPT) – Adults today are constantly searching for balance in life. While balance can be broadly defined, in simple terms it is rooted in equal proportions. The human body demands an equilibrium in order to sustain proper mental, physical and spiritual health. But, achieving balance can be difficult when everyday personal and environmental stresses (such as work, poor diet, harsh sunlight and pollution) expose the body to cell-damaging oxidative stress.

The obstacles to reaching balance are only growing due to shifting lifestyle choices. Today’s adults are active and trying to cram more into a 24-hour day than ever before. In fact, fatigue is a common issue for working adults.

Meanwhile, an increasing number of adults are not getting the nutrients they need to keep their bodies properly fueled to meet the demands faced in a single day. In fact, according to a survey from Instantly, more than 53 percent of Americans skip breakfast at least once a week, while 12 percent never have breakfast at all. The World Health Organization recommends eating at least 400 grams, or five servings, of fruits and vegetables per day, but approximately 75 percent of people worldwide fail to meet that minimum recommendation, creating significant nutrient gaps.

Let’s face it, it can be tough to eat a healthy and well-balanced meal morning, noon and night. For that reason alone, supplements, which fill in nutrient gaps, can ensure you get the right quantities and varieties of nutrients your body needs. Supplements are becoming a critical part of the everyday routine for those looking to do it all and still ensure optimal nutrition. When you incorporate the adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals into your diet, particularly plant-based supplements that add phytonutrients, you can easily fill nutrient gaps and achieve optimal nutrition. By following a few easy steps, you can be on the path to achieving balance.

Educate yourself on your body’s needs

The first step in achieving nutritional balance is understanding the nutrients your body needs to function properly. Knowing what phytonutrients are, and the health benefits associated with them, is key. Phytonutrients are nutrients found in fruits, vegetables and other sources. They are associated with a variety of health benefits, such as eye, bone, joint and heart health, as well as supporting the immune system and brain health. Many phytonutrients are also powerful antioxidants that help fight cell-damaging free radicals.

Taking a multivitamin or multi-mineral supplement each day is a great way to fill in nutrient gaps. Amway’s Nutrilite Double X, for example, is a supplement that delivers a comprehensive and balanced range of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients to help your body’s natural antioxidant defense mechanisms fight cell-damaging free radicals and support whole body health. Nutrilite Double X contains 12 essential vitamins, 10 essential minerals and phytonutrients from 22 fruits, vegetables and herbs sourced from plants grown on Nutrilite-certified organic farms and Nutricert-certified supplier farms.

The vitamin B family is made up of eight B vitamins, each of which helps your body form energy. Your body requires a regular supply of B vitamins in order to support energy-yielding metabolism. Most importantly, B vitamins need to be taken in the right amounts and at the right times. Amway’s Nutrilite Vitamin B Dual-Action supplement provides your body with an instant and extended release of B vitamins to create and sustain energy within the body. Knowing when to take vitamins and supplements and the right quantities you need is critical to achieving optimal health.

‘Amway’s Nutrilite Double X supplement is strategically designed to provide key vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients your body needs,’ said Steve Missler, Principal Research Scientist at Amway. ‘Together with Vitamin B Dual-Action, these two products help provide the body with the quality nutrients needed to function properly and maintain a healthy balance. However, as with all nutrition plans, it is important to consult with a medical professional or health expert to determine your specific nutritional needs.’

Achieve nutrient balance

When it comes to finding the right supplement, another tip is to look for third-party verifications of product quality. Nutrilite Double X and Vitamin B Dual-Action supplements are certified by NSF International, an independent, accredited organization that conducts rigorous tests to assure consumers that products contain what is stated on the label.

It is important to ensure that the supplement you choose is also gentle on your stomach. Starting your day with a healthy breakfast along with a supplemental source of phytonutrients and B vitamins can help ensure you get optimal nutrition throughout the day.

Achieving nutrient balance and fighting fatigue do not need to be uphill battles. Coffee and energy drinks can be effective for short-term needs, but are not the solution. There are many ways to proactively supplement your diet with the nutrients you need and to help fight fatigue before it begins. Supplements are an easy, safe and effective way to ensure you get enough vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, while also ensuring you get the right B vitamins to help fight fatigue. Jump start your day with essential phytonutrients and B vitamins and help your body endure your active life.

Brandpoint – Free Online Content

http://www.youtube.com/v/w69PQYLUHTA?fs=1

* Cortisol: How to Balance Cortisol Levels to Burn Fat- Thomas DeLauer… The Good and the Bad of Cortisol – http://www.ThomasDeLauer.com
When you hear cortisol, you may automatically jump to stress and inflammation. There is more to cortisol than just functioning as a stress hormone. It is possible to have both too little and too much cortisol. So what exactly is cortisol and what does it do? Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced in the adrenal glands, with its secretion controlled by the adrenal glands, the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Most cells in the body have receptors for cortisol, so this hormone impacts much of your body in numerous ways.

Cortisol functions include:
Regulates blood sugar
Regulates metabolism
Plays a part in memory
Impacts inflammation, including decreasing inflammation
Blood pressure control
Water and salt balance
Supports a healthy pregnancy

Proper cortisol function is in fact part of maintaining a healthy weight and losing fat. Slight elevations in cortisol levels activate an enzyme called hormone sensitive lipase (HSL). Burning fat involves hormones – HSL releases stored fat from your body when queued by cortisol. Your body is then able to utilize this fat for fuel, thus leading to fat burning.If your cortisol levels remain elevated for too long, the opposite can happen and cortisol will trigger fat storage.

Excess cortisol causes:
Chronic stress
Cushing’s syndrome

Excess cortisol can lead to:
Weight gain, particularly around the core and face
Mood swings
Anxiety
Depression
High blood pressure
Labido change
Menstrual changes
Chronic inflammation

Too little cortisol causes (known as hypoadrenalism):
Iron deficiency
Long periods of excessive synthetic cortisol treatment (can reduce the natural release of cortisol)
Addison’s disease – an autoimmune disease that can lead to adrenal gland damage
Tuberculosis
Other rare medical conditions

Too little cortisol can lead to:
Muscle loss and muscle fatigue
Weight loss
Fatigue
Mood swings
Dizziness
Anxiety
Difficulty sleeping
Darkening of the skin

What Can You Do? Controlling stress can help with both high and low cortisol levels, so adding meditation and yoga to your daily routine can help. Adaptogens such as ashwagandha can help to balance your stress response and cortisol levels.
Research bomb: In a 2012 randomized, placebo-controlled study of 64 adults with chronic stress looked into the stress levels and serum cortisol levels following ashwagandha supplementation for 60 days. Those who took the Ashwagandha supplements were found to have lower serum cortisol levels when compared to the placebo group. Curcumin has also been shown to help reduce cortisol levels, so add turmeric to your foods. Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.

References:
1. What does cortisol do?
http://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/what-do-hormones-do/cortisol

2. Reduced cortisol secretion in patients with iron deficiency
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1651678

3. Low cortisol symptoms, causes and treatment
https://blog.udemy.com/low-cortisol/

4. Hormones and stress: cortisol

Hormones & Stress: Cortisol

5. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha…
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573577/

Cortisol: How to Balance Cortisol Levels to Burn Fat- Thomas DeLauer

---

You May Also Like These Topics...

---

Health & Vitality: the Way to Good Health

March 7, 2022 Health & Fitness No Comments

Start living a healthy life now: Here is your 7-day plan ==> Having sworn to yourself that you’ll go to the gym in the morning, how many times have you changed your mind after you woke up and did not feel like working out? We all have days when we lose our motivation to get […]

Science-based Suggestions for self-confidence

January 7, 2018 Health & Fitness No Comments

A recent study shows your perception of your own image has a profound effect on how you present yourself to the rest of the world. Those findings could be empowering since even small changes to your self-care routine can significantly boost your self-confidence. The study by researchers at the Stanford Graduate School of Business found […]

5 ways to feel good while getting fit

December 26, 2017 Health & Fitness 15 Comments

(BPT) – Setting intentions is a powerful thing. Then when you have that shiny new gym membership in hand, you feel like nothing stands between you and your goals to get in shape once and for all. Trouble is, lack of motivation, unpreparedness and busy schedules have a way of interfering with our plans. If […]

When buying hearing aids: 6 essential things to know

December 26, 2017 Health & Fitness No Comments

(BPT) – Being an informed health care consumer is hard work. There is information everywhere. But how do you sift through it and make sense of it all? And how do you know what is reliable and what isn’t? Sorting through the noise when buying hearing aids is no exception. In the past several months, […]