Most of us tend to be more tired and lose energy early in the afternoon and could use some natural energy boosters. This is the time of day that our bodies go into the resting phase of our circadian rhythm cycle. It is also right after lunch and what we eat can have an effect too on our energy level. Running out for fast food or eating a lot of carb and sugar foods just adds to our energy slump. Since most of us can’t stop our day to go take a nap, we usually just have to struggle through the day. There are solutions however we can use as natural energy boosters.
Digestive Enzymes As Natural Energy Boosters
Digestive enzymes are produced by the pancreas. The pancreas also produces insulin which regulates the amount of sugar that goes into the bloodstream. Eating foods with lots of sugars and simple carbs causes the blood sugar levels to rise and thus causes the pancreas to have to produce more insulin. This then creates an increase in tryptophan in the brain and in the bloodstream. Tryptophan aids in the regulation of serotonin and melatonin levels. These neurotransmitters are linked to mood and make us relax. For more energy, eat healthy, alkalizing foods like fruits and vegetables. This will lighten the load for the pancreas and reduce the amount of tryptophan produced. Taking digestive enzyme supplements with meals can also lighten the load put on the pancreas, liver and spleen as well as aid in the absorption of nutrients from foods so that the body gets the most energy it can from what we eat. Taking digestive enzymes between meals can help clean up toxins and undigested food in your system which also helps boost energy.
CoQ10 As A Natural Energy Booster
In 1978, Peter D. Mitchell won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his work on discovering the importance of CoQ10 in producing energy. This coenzyme is responsible for 95% of the energy needed by the body. The good news is that our bodies produce this coenzyme naturally, but the bad news is that the older we get, the less we do produce. Stress also affects our CoQ10 production. If we don’t have enough CoQ10 in the body our energy levels are hard to maintain. This is a case where supplementation can help as a natural energy booster. One supplement I find helpful on various levels is this ubiquinol and algae supplement. Ubiquinol is an active and bioavailable form of Coenzyme Q10 that is very important in stress relief and increased energy. This supplement also has the super nutrition of AFA bluegreen algae and organic reishi and oyster mushrooms giving me lots of antioxidants my body can use to repair cellular damage from free radicals and boost energy.
More Natural Energy Boosters
It is tempting when we feel that afternoon drag coming on to reach for coffee, a soda, or a sugary snack. Caffeine and sugar can help provide a short term energy boost, but this type of energy creates a short-lived blood sugar spike which soon causes us to crash when the blood sugar level goes back down. Drinking too much caffeine is not a good solution anyway since it can add stress to the heart rate, respiration, muscle coordination and cognitive functions. Drinking coffee in the afternoon hours can also interfere with getting to sleep at night. Before turning to sugar or coffee when you start to drag in the afternoon, give some of these tips a try.
Movement – When you find yourself getting drowsy, get up and move. That means physically move. You don’t have to go for a complete exercise workout, just walk around a bit or go to the kitchen for a drink of water. You don’t have to go far or for very long. Just enough to get your brain and body moving and “wake-up”.
Energy Boosting Foods – Eat foods during the day that will keep your blood sugar levels stable. Eating processed foods, fast foods and foods with lots of sugar or simple carbohydrates, does not create the type of fuel that will sustain the energy levels we need to last all day. Add complex carbohydrates with fiber from whole grains and healthy protein foods to your diet to help maintain stable blood sugar levels which will give you sustained energy levels.
Plan Your Day – If you know you start getting drowsy or fatigued in the afternoon, plan your day around it. Get things done in the morning that are high priority for the day, need more attention to detail, accuracy or creativity and save the more mundane, not as mentally engaging or routine type tasks for the afternoon.
Rest to Recharge – Take 10 – 20 minutes to close your eyes and lie down. This could be in the form of meditation or just a mini-nap. Many people find that just this short amount of rest allows them to refresh themselves and regain enough energy to get through the afternoon slump period.
Supplement to Stay Active – This supplement was created with people living active lifestyles in mind. The combination of AFA bluegreen algae, wheatgrass juice, cordyceps mushrooms, bee pollen, turmeric, noni, and green tea provides a nutrient rich, whole food source of nutrition for physical energy and drive.
You now have several natural energy boosters to try out that can help you get through your day in a much healthier way than grabbing a candy bar or several cups of coffee. Try some of these out and see what works for you. Boosting your energy level in a healthy way can help you stay productive and get everything done without stressing your body out.
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Sources:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/want-more-energy-heres-what-really-helps
https://office.newearth.com/ProductDetail.aspx?item=21621
http://www.wellnessresources.com/tips/articles/q10_boosts_energy_nerves_muscles_metabolism/
http://www.naturalnews.com/024833_CoQ10_energy_supplement.html
http://www.healthalkaline.com/healthy-foods-pancreas-disease-symptoms-pancreas-function/
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/20/business/worldbusiness/20iht-workcol21.4.7188541.html?_r=2&