Podcasts about deeper dive resources

Experts and other medical specialists provide evidence showing that prebiotics and probiotics are partners in improving our digestive health. Although probiotics and prebiotics both promote better digestive health, there are some differences between the two like how they work and their specific role in the digestive system. Tune in to learn more…   Our digestive system is responsible for breaking down nutrients from food consumed for growth, cell repair, and energy. Since digestive health is very important, individuals must take note of the ways on how to keep their digestive system as healthy as always. Experts and other medical specialist provide evidence showing that prebiotics and probiotics are partners in improving our digestive health. Although probiotics and prebiotics both promote better digestive health, there are some differences between the two like how they work and their specific role in the digestive system.   LET US TALK ABOUT PREBIOTICS. Prebiotics are a special type of carbohydrates found in foods and supplements. These naturally feed the good bacteria inside your gut like Bifidobacterium and lactobacilli. Its main role is to feed the good bacteria in your gut and avoid feeding the bad bacteria such as the pathogens. Good bacteria inside your gut plays a very vital role in the improvement of your immune system and keeping the overall digestive system healthy.   Prebiotics are resistant to acids, body enzymes and heat. They are not destroyed or absorbed the moment they travel into your digestive system. Once they reached the colon intact, they will feed the good bacteria which makes them grow and multiply. We already know that vegetables and fruits are rich in Prebiotics. Here is a list of foods with prebiotics: Banana Peas Beans Cherries Oats Raw onions Garlic Leeks Fresh herbs Eggplant Asparagus Kiwi   BENEFITS OF PREBIOTICS We tend to ignore prebiotics and we focus on probiotics as the most effective agent in promoting digestive health. If you opt to have a higher intake of prebiotics you can reap the benefits which include:   IMPROVEMENT OF DIGESTION Prebiotics help in the stimulation of the growth of the good bacteria in your gut. Since this Prebiotics act as food for the probiotics, they help balance all the harmful toxins and bacteria living your digestive tract. Prebiotics also make it possible for you to have great digestion. Studies show that higher intake of prebiotics increases the probiotic organisms such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria   ENHANCES IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTION Dietary consumption of prebiotics help improves the immune system. Prebiotics also improves the stool quality as well as reduces the risk of many infections and gastroenteritis. Prebiotics boost immunity because they enhance the ability of digestive system to absorb all the important nutrients from the food we eat. Another help of prebiotic is its ability to lower the pH level in the gut.   LOWER INFLAMMATION Inflammation is one of the main causes of disease such as heart disease. Luckily, prebiotics can lower the inflammation. It is also believed that prebiotics contributes to the improvement of our metabolism. This also helps the body for better absorption of nutrients entering your body.   REDUCE RISK OF HEART DISEASE Eating foods that are high in prebiotics can help your body reduce glycation which is the primary cause of trigger inflammation. This also lowers your body's insulin resistance.   HERE ARE OTHER BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF PREBIOTICS INTO OUR BODIES.  better gut health the lower stress response higher immune system lower risk of weight gain and obesity better hormonal balance healthy cholesterol level Recent studies also show the significant effect of prebiotics on the human's digestive system. Eating foods that are rich in prebiotics can help you have better health results especially in your digestive system.   HEALTH COACH TIP Please note many with SIBO cannot handle a prebiotic and do better consuming them in food form.   DEEPER DIVE RESOURCES  Bacterial metabolism and health-related effects of galacto-oligosaccharides and other prebiotics  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18215222/ Innate lymphoid cells regulate intestinal epithelial cell glycosylation  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25214634/ Foxp3(+) T cells regulate immunoglobulin a selection and facilitate diversification of bacterial species responsible for immune homeostasis  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25017466/ Recent Development of Prebiotic Research—Statement from an Expert Workshop  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5748826/ Developments in understanding and applying prebiotics in research and practice—an ISAPP conference paper  https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jam.14424 

Experts and other medical specialists provide evidence showing that prebiotics and probiotics are partners in improving our digestive health. Although probiotics and prebiotics both promote better digestive health, there are some differences between the two like how they work and their specific role in the digestive system. Tune in to learn more…   Our digestive system is responsible for breaking down nutrients from food consumed for growth, cell repair, and energy. Since digestive health is very important, individuals must take note of the ways on how to keep their digestive system as healthy as always. Experts and other medical specialist provide evidence showing that prebiotics and probiotics are partners in improving our digestive health. Although probiotics and prebiotics both promote better digestive health, there are some differences between the two like how they work and their specific role in the digestive system.   LET US TALK ABOUT PREBIOTICS. Prebiotics are a special type of carbohydrates found in foods and supplements. These naturally feed the good bacteria inside your gut like Bifidobacterium and lactobacilli. Its main role is to feed the good bacteria in your gut and avoid feeding the bad bacteria such as the pathogens. Good bacteria inside your gut plays a very vital role in the improvement of your immune system and keeping the overall digestive system healthy.   Prebiotics are resistant to acids, body enzymes and heat. They are not destroyed or absorbed the moment they travel into your digestive system. Once they reached the colon intact, they will feed the good bacteria which makes them grow and multiply. We already know that vegetables and fruits are rich in Prebiotics. Here is a list of foods with prebiotics: Banana Peas Beans Cherries Oats Raw onions Garlic Leeks Fresh herbs Eggplant Asparagus Kiwi   BENEFITS OF PREBIOTICS We tend to ignore prebiotics and we focus on probiotics as the most effective agent in promoting digestive health. If you opt to have a higher intake of prebiotics you can reap the benefits which include:   IMPROVEMENT OF DIGESTION Prebiotics help in the stimulation of the growth of the good bacteria in your gut. Since this Prebiotics act as food for the probiotics, they help balance all the harmful toxins and bacteria living your digestive tract. Prebiotics also make it possible for you to have great digestion. Studies show that higher intake of prebiotics increases the probiotic organisms such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria   ENHANCES IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTION Dietary consumption of prebiotics help improves the immune system. Prebiotics also improves the stool quality as well as reduces the risk of many infections and gastroenteritis. Prebiotics boost immunity because they enhance the ability of digestive system to absorb all the important nutrients from the food we eat. Another help of prebiotic is its ability to lower the pH level in the gut.   LOWER INFLAMMATION Inflammation is one of the main causes of disease such as heart disease. Luckily, prebiotics can lower the inflammation. It is also believed that prebiotics contributes to the improvement of our metabolism. This also helps the body for better absorption of nutrients entering your body.   REDUCE RISK OF HEART DISEASE Eating foods that are high in prebiotics can help your body reduce glycation which is the primary cause of trigger inflammation. This also lowers your body's insulin resistance.   HERE ARE OTHER BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF PREBIOTICS INTO OUR BODIES.  better gut health the lower stress response higher immune system lower risk of weight gain and obesity better hormonal balance healthy cholesterol level Recent studies also show the significant effect of prebiotics on the human's digestive system. Eating foods that are rich in prebiotics can help you have better health results especially in your digestive system.   HEALTH COACH TIP Please note many with SIBO cannot handle a prebiotic and do better consuming them in food form.   DEEPER DIVE RESOURCES  Bacterial metabolism and health-related effects of galacto-oligosaccharides and other prebiotics  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18215222/ Innate lymphoid cells regulate intestinal epithelial cell glycosylation  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25214634/ Foxp3(+) T cells regulate immunoglobulin a selection and facilitate diversification of bacterial species responsible for immune homeostasis  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25017466/ Recent Development of Prebiotic Research—Statement from an Expert Workshop  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5748826/ Developments in understanding and applying prebiotics in research and practice—an ISAPP conference paper  https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jam.14424 

In this week’s episode we’re talking about a very important subject, and that is aging! Telomeres have a direct impact on not only our appearance as we age but our overall longevity. Join us as we specifically discuss telomeres; understanding what telomeres are, understanding some of the different things we can do to keep them lengthened and healthy.     Understanding the Importance of Telomeres  Understanding the impact telomeres have on our aging will help us understand the positive health benefits of mushrooms.  The telomere is the "tail" of each chromosome in your cells. These tiny little segments of your DNA are critical for healthy, youthful living.    Think of them as the plastic tips of shoelaces that keep them together. Telomeres work the same way.    They prevent chromosomes from fraying or tangling with one another. When that happens, it can cause genetic information to get all mixed up or destroyed leading to health problems. Worst of all, damage to your telomeres can speed up your aging.    One study of 60 to 75-year-old people showed those with short Telomeres had a 300% higher death rate from heart-related problems. They also had an 800% higher death rate from infectious diseases.    Why? Because each time a cell divides, its telomeres become shorter.    As our telomeres wear down, so do we. That’s when we develop problems with hearing or age-related memory loss — things most of us consider natural parts of aging.      Can We Slow This Down?  Yes! As it turns out, age really is just a number.  You see, there’s a big difference between your biological age and your chronological age. And it’s your biological age that matters most.  Why? It all comes back to those pesky telomeres. They’re a primary reason some people age at different speeds than others. Or why some people always seem to be “coming down with something” and others have an impenetrable immune system.  While we can’t stop our telomeres from getting shorter, we can S-L-O-W the process down if we’re smart about it...    3 Ways to Increase the Length of Your Telomeres  Boost Micro-Nutrients - Vitamins A, D, C, and E have all been proven to slow down your telomeres. And data from one study (586 women, ages 35-74) showed those with a strong nutrient base had 5.1% longer telomeres than those who did not.  Reduce Inflammation - European study showed that those who had low levels of inflammation were able to maintain their telomeres at a ‘youthful’ level. Their telomeres matched those of a person who was 60 even when they were 80 years old  Anti-Oxidants - Studies show that your telomeres are extremely sensitive to oxidative stress. Not only that, but too much oxidation in your cells could hurt how your telomeres are meant to function. That’s why keeping powerful antioxidants like Nutritional Mushrooms in your diet is so crucial for healthy aging. Antioxidants combat the free radicals that may cause cell damage or cell death.    Gene Expression/Epigenetics  Epigenetics is the study of how we can affect our gene expression based off of lifestyle choices, whether that’s food, how much sun exposure you’re getting, the kind of toxins that are in your life, the working out that you do.  We can slow down the aging process if we understand aging, we understand telomeres, we understand the different things that we can do to keep them longer will ultimately slow down the aging.    7M+  7M+ contains seven main ingredients: Turkey Tail, Chaga, Shiitake, Maitake, Cordyceps, Lion’s Mane, and Reishi,   Powerful anti-aging, longevity, immune support  7 of nature’s most beneficial organic mushrooms  Fermented to maximize bioavailability  No artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors  Free of GMOs, yeast, soy protein, sodium, or starch  ONE-Year 100% Satisfaction, Money-Back Guarantee      Deeper Dive Resources    Telomere  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telomere    Telomeres shorten during ageing of human fibroblasts  https://www.nature.com/articles/345458a0    Structure and function of telomeres  https://www.nature.com/articles/350569a0    Telomeres and The Natural Lifespan Limit in Humans  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5425118/    Oxidative stress shortens telomeres  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0968000402021102    Gene Expression  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_expression    Epigenetics  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics           

Did you know that the nervous system is intimately connected with our immune system and our endocrine system? Any stressor that we introduce into the system, the body doesn’t really tell the difference. It reacts the same way to whatever stressor we’re talking about. That obviously affects the nervous system immediately, but that will have a knock-off effect on the immune function and the gut, and also, the endocrine, the hormonal function. When you’re thinking about hormonal imbalances, this has the obvious potential to just throw everything off. Tune in today and let Dr. Eva Detko educate us on how we can manage our autonomic nervous system for better health.   * * *    * * * About Dr. Eva Detko   Dr Eva Detko is a natural healthcare practitioner, author, and speaker. She has studied natural medicine and the human mind for over 20 years.   Dr Eva successfully recovered from chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, and reversed Hashimoto's thyroiditis. She now helps others recover their health.   Dr Eva has an extensive knowledge and experience in the field of human physiology, biochemistry, nutritional sciences, and bioenergetics. She also uses a wide range of mind-transforming modalities, including: Havening Techniques®, BrainWorking Recursive Therapy®, psychoanalysis, hypnotherapy, mindfulness, NLP, and applied psychoneuroimmunology.  Working with Dr. Eva “I just want to be able to work with a wide range of people, not just on the chronic illness side, from the physical point of view, because I do that also, but actually have that more rounded, complete approach and address the emotional factors as well. And the more tools I have, the more I’m able to tackle, and whatever people throw at me, I have some tool in my toolbox to be able to help them and direct them, and help them get through whatever they’re experiencing, get them through to the other side and teach them enough for them to be able to do their own work as well, because that’s how I like to work.”   Dr. Eva’s Journey My trauma started already in-utero, because my mom, when she was three months pregnant with me, had a trauma herself, and what happened was her sister died, her younger sister died as a result of a vaccine injury. This was obviously extremely traumatic for the entire family, but what that did to my mom, she wasn’t coping with that trauma particularly well. She just didn’t have the right tools. And she went into this complete state of shock. She was in such distress that her pregnancy became toxic. And as a result of that, obviously, it had a knock-on effect on myself and on my sibling. And I was the one who survived, but my baby brother or sister, in fact, we will never know, because when she came to give birth, the baby was decomposed to the point where they were not even able to tell. The birth was extremely traumatic, because she was so sick that she nearly died. In fact, there was a bit of a debate whether to focus on saving her or whether to focus on saving me. At some point, they were not sure whether they were able to save us both. As a result of this, I was actually quite a weak child. I would get a lot of infections. And I was also emotionally quite weak. So, I was bullied at school. And I also suffered sexual abuse when I was young as well. When I got sick, it was no longer an option. I knew there was just so much there that there was no way that I was going to recover, if I had any doubt with all of this, and I needed to dissect it. Tools Hypnotherapy Neurolinguistic programming Havening techniques It’s literally a psychosensory technique, so it’s about stimulating receptors on the skin to, like I said before, remodel the neurology. Brain working recursive therapy Mindfulness Meditation   Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)  Autonomic nervous system is part of the nervous system that supplies our internal organs. the blood vessels, stomach, in fact, the whole of the digestive system, kidneys, bladder, genital, and so on. And we used to describe the autonomic nervous system as the system that is just the fight or flight, the sympathetic, and then there is this parasympathetic relaxation response. As a result of the work of Stephen Porges and the polyvagal theory, we understand there are two branches of the ANS the sympathetic branch, which is the fight and flight response, the stress response the parasympathetic branch, which is basically synonymous with the vagus nerve However, the vagus nerve is not just one thing. If you activate your vagus nerve, that means you obviously are more relaxed, and your gut works better, and everything works better. But the vagus nerve has actually two branches as well. We’ve got the ventral vagus complex, which we know and refer to as the vagus nerve. We also have the other side of the vagus nerve, which is also the parasympathetic nervous system response, which is the freeze response. The nervous system is intimately connected with our immune system and our endocrine system. Any stressor that we introduce into the system, the body doesn’t really tell the difference. It reacts the same way to whatever stressor we’re talking about. That obviously affects the nervous system immediately, but that will have a knock-on effect on the immune function and the gut, and also, the endocrine, the hormonal function. When you’re thinking about the hormonal imbalances, that obviously just throws everything off. As humans, we’re supposed to operate in a relaxed state 90 percent of our days. What actually tends to happen for a lot of people is the other way around, 90 percent of the time, they will operate in the stress response, in that sympathetic nervous system Because most people live in this what we call a sympathetic dominant state, they burn this system out. Back in the 90s, the ACEs study, when they looked at the relationship between early exposure to stress and chronic illness later in life, we have correlation with just about every illness that we can think of.   Polyvagal Theory The ventral vagus complex is the relaxation, it’s the relax, heal, detoxify response. We don’t heal unless that is activated. We do not heal in sympathetic or freeze mode. We can only heal, the body can only heal if we activate the rest, digest, detoxify, and heal response, which is basically the vagus nerve. What Stephen Porges actually talks about is he actually named the ventral vagus complex, so the vagus nerve as we know it, he called it the social nervous system. If we have healthy vagus function, we can read other people’s expressions and we get it right. When we have poor vagal function, we will completely misinterpret the cues from other people. When that vagus nerve function is compromised, we just lose that ability to really tell what is what in our social connections. We actually also have difficulty self-regulating.   How can a parent understand if they’re giving their child enough nurturing without crossing the line of giving too much? You will screw your kids up. You will. You cannot possibly, no matter how wonderful a parent you are, how self-aware, how aware of your kids’ needs and everything else you are, you cannot satisfy those needs 24/7, constantly, constantly, constantly. There will be moments where the kid will just feel like they’re just not getting enough nurturing. Look a little bit more into the different stages of child development. You have your infancy stage, you’ve got your toddler stage, you’ve got your preschooler and so on, and then school stage. And at all of those stages, the needs of the child are different, and they will be learning different things. The first stage, the infancy stage, you cannot give them enough. You can’t give them too much in terms of cuddles and kisses. One of the things that I would recommend, John Bradshaw wrote a number of books. The book Homecoming explains actually, in a very simple way, the different stages of child development. Be aware of the personality type of your child. So, personality styles are really strategies, and a lot of it is as a result of what we experienced in childhood, but there will be certain tendencies already from the word “Go.” Perhaps you can then help them with some of the things that maybe still need to be developed but don’t come so naturally to them.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Dr. Eva Detko’s Website https://www.dr-eva.com/   Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child by John Bradshaw https://amzn.to/2zroBcj   Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many of the leading causes of death in adults. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9635069   Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Lifelong Consequences of Trauma https://www.aap.org/en-us/documents/ttb_aces_consequences.pdf   Havening Techniques https://www.havening.org/about-havening/faqs   Brain working recursive therapy https://www.topsante.co.uk/womens-health/bwrt-brain-working-recursive-therapy/3036/   Psychoanalysis https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychoanalysis.html   Hypnotherapy https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/hypnotherapy   Mindfulness https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/   NLP https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/neuro-linguistic-programming   Applied Psychoneuroimmunology https://www.apa.org/monitor/dec01/anewtake.html   Stephen Porges https://www.stephenporges.com/

Gratitude. It’s just not something to shine a light on in November each year. We’ve dug up some fascinating research on the positive benefits having an attitude of gratitude will make on your health and well-being. Tune in to hear the research and tips on starting your own daily gratitude practice.  This really is a “thing”! Universities have entire departments with focused research on happiness and gratitude. In fact, researchers from Berkeley identified how gratitude might actually work on our minds and bodies. And Robert Emmons, perhaps the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, argues that gratitude has two key components - tune in to hear the key components and the science of gratitude.    What Is Gratitude?   Robert Emmons, perhaps the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, argues that gratitude has two key components, which he describes in a Greater Good essay, “Why Gratitude Is Good.”   “First,” he writes, “it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.”   In the second part of gratitude, he explains, “we recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves. … We acknowledge that other people—or even higher powers, if you’re of a spiritual mindset—gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.”   Emmons and other researchers see the social dimension as being especially important to gratitude. “I see it as a relationship-strengthening emotion,“ writes Emmons, “because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people.”  Because gratitude encourages us not only to appreciate gifts but to repay them (or pay them forward), the sociologist Georg Simmel called it “the moral memory of mankind.” This is how gratitude may have evolved: by strengthening bonds between members of the same species who mutually helped each other out.    This really is a ‘thing’!   Universities have entire departments with focused research on happiness and gratitude. Researchers from Berkeley identified how gratitude might actually work on our minds and bodies. They provided four insights from their research suggesting what causes the psychological benefits of gratitude.  Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions  Gratitude helps even if you don’t share it  Gratitude’s benefits take time & practice. You might not feel it right away.  Gratitude has lasting effects on the brain     Breakdown of Benefits  Physical  • Stronger immune systems  • Less bothered by aches and pains  • Lower blood pressure  • Exercise more and take better care of their health  • Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking    Psychological  • Higher levels of positive emotions  • More alert, alive, and awake  • More joy and pleasure  • More optimism and happiness    Social  • More helpful, generous, and compassionate  • More forgiving  • More outgoing  • Feel less lonely and isolated.    The Key to Well-Being?  “Building the best life does not require fealty to feelings in the name of authenticity, but rather rebelling against negative impulses and acting right even when we don’t feel like it,” says Arthur C. Brooks, author of Gross National Happiness, in a column in the New York Times. In the article, from 2015, he argues that “acting grateful can actually make you grateful” and uses science to prove it.  A 2003 study compared the well-being of participants who kept a weekly list of things they were grateful for to participants who kept a list of things that irritated them or neutral things. The researchers showed that the gratitude-focused participants exhibited increased well-being and they concluded that “a conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits.”  Understand this…..The participants didn’t begin the study any more grateful or ungrateful than anyone else, and they didn’t change their lives during the study so that they’d have more to be thankful for. They just turned their outlook to one of gratitude, and they were happier for it.   How Do You Practice Gratitude?  Tony Robbins’ Guided Imagery – Gratitude Practice  He was on a podcast with Tim Farris, and he did like a seven-minute clip, and he walks you through how to feel gratitude from a way he's learned how to do it.      * * *    Deeper Dive Resources    Robert Emmons "Why Gratitude Is Good"  https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_gratitude_is_good    Greater Good Magazine – "What Is Gratitude?"  https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition    Psychology Today – "Happiness"  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/happiness    Arthur C. Brooks article in the New York Times  https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/opinion/sunday/choose-to-be-grateful-it-will-make-you-happier.html    2003 Study from Robert Emmons  https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/application_uploads/Emmons-CountingBlessings.pdf    Tony Robbins Gratitude Exercise  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-1mxzHlEKI   

Let’s talk synergy….the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.  At Organixx we believe in maximizing the strength of our blended supplements by sourcing high quality and clean ingredients. And then we take it to the next level by asking the question…”What ingredients can we blend to produce a combined benefit greater than the sum of their separate benefits?” Frankincense  Frankincense is the resinous extract from the trees of the genus boswellia, have been used for centuries in cultural ceremonies, as a cosmetic agent, as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, especially inflammatory diseases, which we just talked about, including asthma, arthritis, cerebral edema, chronic pain syndrome, chronic bowel diseases, cancer, and some other illnesses.  Boswellic acids are the active compounds of frankincense.  Some studies have shown that the use of frankincense can also improve the learning, enhance the memory in animals and human beings.    Two ways that you can get frankincense  Essential oil  Ingesting    Myrrh  Myrrh is a reddish-brown dried sap from a thorny tree.  Commiphora myrrha is the actual name for it, but it's native to Northeastern Africa and Southwest Asia.    Myrrh has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.  Scientists are now testing the oil's potential uses, including for pain, infection, and even skin sores.  Myrrh also can help combat pain and swelling, and it's also a very powerful antioxidant, which combats oxidative damage, which we know can be really bad for our health.    Oxidative damage from free radicals contributes to aging and even some diseases.    Turmeric  Turmeric is believed to be one of the most effective nutritional supplements in existence.    Many high-quality studies have shown that it has major benefits for your body and for your brain.    Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color and has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb.  Recently, scientists started to back up what Indians have known for a long time.  It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects.  It's a very strong antioxidant.  It is very, very, very powerful when it comes to brain health, when it comes to combatting disease.    Turmeric, in its raw form, it's not very bioavailable, again, which means it's hard for your body to absorb it and really to get the curcumin, which is the real active compound out of turmeric that's the big benefit, and I mean we're talking single digit percentage of curcumin that you absorb out of turmeric.  If you're looking at using turmeric on a daily basis, I think that you can use piperine if your body reacts well to it.    Piperine changes the enzymes in your stomach, which is what helps make it more bioavailable for the turmeric.  That same thing happens if you're on prescription medication.  So, I always warn people, if you're taking prescription meds, kind of stay away from the turmeric supplements that have piperine in them, or black pepper, because it can increase or decrease the efficacy of that prescription med, which also increases and decreases the efficacy of the side effects of it.  When you ferment it, that releases those enzymes so that when you ingest it into your body, now all of the enzymes that your body needs to break down that turmeric and absorb that curcumin is right there in your gut.    It can also support brain health.    It's been proven to improve brain function and lower risk of brain diseases.    It can lower your risk of heart disease.    Putting Them Together  They have a synergistic effect, having all three of these ingredients together.  So strong and so powerful, we actually created a supplement called Magi-Complexx.  What we found out is actually combining all three of these together, that synergistic effect is phenomenal.    Magi-Complexx  Comes in two forms: capsule and essential oil.    * * *    Deeper Dive Resources  Organixx Article on Frankincense  https://organixx.com/frankincense-tree/   Organixx Article on Myrrh  https://organixx.com/health-benefits-of-myrrh/   Organixx Articles on Turmeric  https://organixx.com/?s=turmeric   EYO Podcasts on Turmeric  https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/a-superhero-herb-for-body-brain-ksm-66-ashwagandha/  https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/paractin-potent-form-of-andrographis-paniculata-for-pain-support/ 

Let’s talk synergy…. the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.  At Organixx we believe in maximizing the strength of our blended supplements by sourcing high quality and clean ingredients. And then we take it to the next level by asking the question…” What ingredients can we blend to produce a combined benefit greater than the sum of their separate benefits?” Tune in to find out the outcome!  Frankincense  Frankincense is the resinous extract from the trees of the genus boswellia, have been used for centuries in cultural ceremonies, as a cosmetic agent, as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, especially inflammatory diseases, which we just talked about, including asthma, arthritis, cerebral edema, chronic pain syndrome, chronic bowel diseases, cancer, and some other illnesses.  Boswellic acids are the active compounds of frankincense.  Some studies have shown that the use of frankincense can also improve the learning, enhance the memory in animals and human beings.    Two ways that you can get frankincense  Essential oil  Ingesting    Myrrh  Myrrh is a reddish-brown dried sap from a thorny tree.  Commiphora myrrha is the actual name for it, but it's native to Northeastern Africa and Southwest Asia.    Myrrh has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine.  Scientists are now testing the oil's potential uses, including for pain, infection, and even skin sores.  Myrrh also can help combat pain and swelling, and it's also a very powerful antioxidant, which combats oxidative damage, which we know can be really bad for our health.    Oxidative damage from free radicals contributes to aging and even some diseases.    Turmeric  Turmeric is believed to be one of the most effective nutritional supplements in existence.    Many high-quality studies have shown that it has major benefits for your body and for your brain.    Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color and has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb.  Recently, scientists started to back up what Indians have known for a long time.  It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects.  It's a very strong antioxidant.  It is very, very, very powerful when it comes to brain health, when it comes to combatting disease.    Turmeric, in its raw form, it's not very bioavailable, again, which means it's hard for your body to absorb it and really to get the curcumin, which is the real active compound out of turmeric that's the big benefit, and I mean we're talking single digit percentage of curcumin that you absorb out of turmeric.  If you're looking at using turmeric on a daily basis, I think that you can use piperine if your body reacts well to it.    Piperine changes the enzymes in your stomach, which is what helps make it more bioavailable for the turmeric.  That same thing happens if you're on prescription medication.  So, I always warn people, if you're taking prescription meds, kind of stay away from the turmeric supplements that have piperine in them, or black pepper, because it can increase or decrease the efficacy of that prescription med, which also increases and decreases the efficacy of the side effects of it.  When you ferment it, that releases those enzymes so that when you ingest it into your body, now all of the enzymes that your body needs to break down that turmeric and absorb that curcumin is right there in your gut.    It can also support brain health.    It's been proven to improve brain function and lower risk of brain diseases.    It can lower your risk of heart disease.    Putting Them Together  They have a synergistic effect, having all three of these ingredients together.  So strong and so powerful, we actually created a supplement called Magi-Complexx.  What we found out is actually combining all three of these together, that synergistic effect is phenomenal.    Magi-Complexx    Comes in two forms: capsule and essential oil.    * * *    Deeper Dive Resources    Organixx Article on Frankincense  https://organixx.com/frankincense-tree/    Organixx Article on Myrrh  https://organixx.com/health-benefits-of-myrrh/     Organixx Articles on Turmeric  https://organixx.com/?s=turmeric    EYO Podcasts on Turmeric  https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/a-superhero-herb-for-body-brain-ksm-66-ashwagandha/  https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/paractin-potent-form-of-andrographis-paniculata-for-pain-support/ 

Ready for some FREE education? So, let's talk about iodine. Iodine is essential for every function in your body including immune function, cardiovascular health, and metabolism. Of course, it's instrumental for the thyroid. That's one of the big things we talk about in connection with iodine since iodine is the foundation for thyroid hormone production. So, it's super important. Do you ever think about iodine? Probably not. But you probably should!  We're going to talk about iodine deficiency. We're going to talk in general about iodine; where did it come from, why it’s important, and the different types or sources of iodine for your health. Tune in and get your learn on! Iodine The fact is that iodine is utilized for just about every function in your body. Yet many people are unaware of their body’s need for iodine, and that iodine deficiency has reached epidemic proportions worldwide.  History of Iodine Iodine was discovered in 1811 Iodine actually became the first modern medical treatment. It was the first time in medicine that one remedy was used to treat one disease, and that was when iodine was used to treat goiters. Iodine eventually became one of the primary antibiotics. It was used orally as an antibiotic—it was used topically as an antibiotic. Still today, we do use iodine in surgical rooms. We use it to paint over surgical wounds and things like that to make sure that they don’t get infected.   Why Optimal Levels of Iodine Matters Iodine deficiency has multiple adverse effects on growth and development, and is the most common cause of preventable mental retardation in the world. Iodine deficiency disorders result from inadequate thyroid hormone production secondary to insufficient iodine. During pregnancy and early infancy, iodine deficiency can cause irreversible effects. 10 Signs & Symptoms of an Iodine Deficiency Swelling in the Neck - Swelling in the front of the neck, or a goiter, is a common symptom of an iodine deficiency. It occurs when your thyroid gland is forced to make thyroid hormones when there is a low supply of iodine in the body. Unexpected Weight Gain – Low iodine levels may slow your metabolism and encourage food to be stored as fat, rather than be burned as energy. This may lead to weight gain. Fatigue and Weakness – Low iodine levels may leave you feeling tired, sluggish and weak. This is because your body needs the mineral to make energy. Hair Loss – An iodine deficiency may prevent hair follicles from regenerating. Fortunately, getting sufficient iodine can help correct hair loss that occurs due to an iodine deficiency. Dry, Flaky Skin – Dry, flaky skin may occur with an iodine deficiency, as the mineral helps your skin cells regenerate. It also helps your body sweat and hydrates your skin cells, so an iodine deficiency can cause you to sweat less. Feeling Colder Than Usual – Iodine helps generate body heat, so low levels of it may leave you feeling colder than usual. Changes in Heart Rate - An iodine deficiency may slow your heart rate, which may leave you feeling weak, fatigued, dizzy and at risk of fainting. Trouble Learning and Remembering – An iodine deficiency at any age may cause you to struggle to learn and remember things. One possible reason for this might be an underdeveloped brain. Problems During Pregnancy – Getting enough iodine is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as they have higher needs. An iodine deficiency may cause severe side effects, especially for the baby, such as stunted growth and brain development. Heavy or Irregular Periods –  Some women with an iodine deficiency may experience heavy or irregular periods. This is because low thyroid hormone levels may interfere with hormones that are involved in regulating the menstrual cycle.   Different Kinds/Sources of Iodine   Salt The addition of iodine to the U.S. salt supply started in the 1920s in response to a government health mandate. During that time, up to 40% of the population of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes region suffered from goiters and other thyroid diseases caused by extreme iodine deficiency . [Note: a goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that results in a swelling of the neck.] Adding iodine to table salt did help with the goiter epidemic, but that was about it. Nonetheless, it became the foundation upon which the U.S. RDA, or Recommended Daily Allowance (now called the Recommended Daily Intake, or RDI) was built. Today, the RDI for iodine is 150 mcg/day for an adult and 220 mcg/day for a pregnant woman. This amount may stop goiters, but it’s not enough for all the iodine needs of the body. In order to make salt white and help it last longer, most manufacturers use a bleaching process. This adds dangerous halides such as chlorine and bromide to the mix, which block the body’s absorption of iodine. In addition, other chemicals are often added to the salt, including manufactured iodide, sodium solo-co-aluminate, fluoride sodium bicarbonate, anti-caking agents, and aluminum derivatives. If you are going to sprinkle salt on your food, most health experts suggest Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt, which contains trace amounts of naturally-produced iodine as well as other essential minerals. Food - Some foods are… Seaweed, sea food, fish, eggs, spinach, dairy, strawberries, and cranberries. Food alone is not enough due to the depletion of nutrients in the soil, as well as an increasing toxic load, has changed the amount of essential nutrients available in the foods we eat. Potassium Iodine Tablet Potassium and sodium are often part of the picture because they act as carriers for iodine that the human body can safely absorb. Iodine in its natural state is unstable and even dangerous. Scientists discovered a while ago that combining potassium with iodine to form potassium iodide can create a more stable form, which can be absorbed by the body. The downside regarding potassium iodine for everyday use is that only about 20% of this kind of iodine can be assimilated by the body.   Alcohol-Based vs Glycerin-Based The advantage of using a liquid for iodine transport is that it becomes more bioavailable to the body.   Alcohol based, however, is not the preferred method of liquid transport for several reasons. Most alcohol used for supplements are simple ethanol or grain alcohols, the same kind that the bartender puts in your favorite martini – not appropriate for children, pets, and those with high blood pressure or recovering from alcoholism. almost all alcohols are made with genetically-modified corn acts as a drying agent Glycerin -  (also known as glycerine, glycerol, or glycerite) has many advantages – that is, if you can find the right kind. Most commercial glycerin-based products, like commercial soaps, are sourced through animal products. A better option is vegetable-based glycerin. And the best of all is organic, non-GMO glycerin that is not made from soy or corn. Retains moisture Is antiseptic – good for burn salve Won’t upset blood sugar levels Provides more stable shelf life  Nascent Iodine -  is also known as atomic iodine, monatomic iodine, Atomidine, or colloidal iodine. The term “nascent” refers to iodine that has an incomplete number of electrons. This gives it an electrical charge, according to a report conducted by the non-profit Weston Price Foundation and others. Many forms of dietary iodine break down into iodide in the digestive tract. In this state, iodine-dependent organs like the thyroid and reproductive organs cannot use it. The charge of nascent iodine helps it stay intact and absorb quickly and thoroughly into the organs that need it most.     Deeper Dive Resources   History of U.S. Iodine Fortification and Supplementation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509517/   NIH Fact Sheet for Professionals https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/   Iodine Deficiency - American Thyroid Association https://www.thyroid.org/iodine-deficiency/   The Great Iodine Debate - Weston Price Foundation https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/modern-diseases/the-great-iodine-debate/   Iodine Articles in Organixx’s INSPIRED Health Library https://organixx.com/?s=Iodine&selector=art   Organixx Iodine https://shop.organixx.com/products/iodine     Subscribe to Empowering You Organically Never miss an episode!

The search term collagen has increased 40% already just in this year alone! So, is all the hype trendy or true? We’ve done the research and that’s the question we answer this week!    Did you know that your body naturally produces collagen every day? We dig into why supplementation is even a consideration.    Did you know there are several different types of collagen? We’ve tracked them all down and explain the part each type plays in our body.    Is collagen all about less sagging skin? Actually, no it isn’t! Tune in to hear about the ways collagen benefits our health. We guarantee some will surprise you.    Tune in for more no-nonsense information on what collagens are, how they may benefit your health, and what you need to look for when it comes to the products and foods, you're consuming.   What is collagen?    Dictionary result for collagen  /ˈkäləjən/  noun  the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues, widely used in purified form for cosmetic surgical treatments.  "vitamin C plays a vital role in the formation of collagen"  Different collagen molecules make up about ⅓ of the total protein in a human body  Found in bone, skin, muscles, and tendons  The substance that connects cells and gives skin elasticity as well as strength    Collagen and Aging  Your body naturally produces collagen every day.   After the age of 25, we break down more collagen than we make.  Collagen supplements are an easy way to add more collagen to your diet.  Collagen has been shown to reduce wrinkles, keep joints strong and flexible, support strong bones, and increase skin hydration.    Why is collagen so good for you?  Collagen is vital for maintaining the structure and integrity of your entire body.    #1 – Strong Cartilage and Muscles   Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that is made up of collagen When you lack collagen, joint instability, stiffness, and pain can result. Likewise, muscles need cartilage to adhere themselves to the ends of bones. This is why muscle aches are one of the most common complaints of individuals with low collagen levels.    #2 – Healthy Teeth.   Collagen is needed to keep teeth in place in the gums. Loose teeth, toothache, sensitive teeth, and even tooth loss can result from a lack of collagen overall.    #3 – Thick Hair   Collagen plays an important part in hair growth since it fills in the spaces around each hair follicle. One way to tell if you are collagen deficient is to notice the quality and state of your hair. Dull, thin hair is a sign of low collagen levels. Collagen also helps fight free radicals that can damage hair.    #4 – Smooth Skin   Wrinkling and cellulite are other unfortunate results of low collagen in the body. Not enough collagen means skin begins to lose elasticity and sag, causing those pesky wrinkles as we age. Cellulite is another telltale sign of low collagen.    #5 – Good Gut Health.  Collagen helps heal the gut because of its ability to “seal the gut.” Leaky gut has been linked to autoimmune conditions and neurological conditions like autism.    Types of Collagens  There are over two dozen kinds of collagen, although roughly 85% of the collagen in the body is made up of Type I, II, or III (or a combination of these three types).  Type I collagen is the most prevalent type of collagen. It is the substance that makes up the skin, tendons, and bones as well as the structural framework of the organs. It should be your go-to for hair, skin, and nail health, especially for recouping lost collagen stores that occurs naturally as we age. It is also a “well-rounded generalist,” in that it is a good type for supporting overall health. Type I is also found in the digestive tract, which makes it (along with Type II) great for gut healing and repair.    Type II collagen is the structural component of cartilage in the body. Because of this, it is great for the joints and to rebuild cartilage in ligaments, tendons, skin, and bones. Type II collagen contains a variety of specific amino acids that are particularly helpful for the body. The first one, again, is glycine, which is beneficial for brain health and metabolism. The second one is proline, which helps clean artery walls. Type II may also be good for the respiratory system, detoxification pathways, and more because it contains arginine, another amino acid that is vital for nitric oxide production. [Note: Nitric oxide is produced in the body and is beneficial for supporting blood flow and lowering blood pressure.] For the most part, Type II collagen is where you want to turn for joint health and possibly even for arthritis support.     Type III collagen is typically found where ever Type 1 collagen can be found as well as some other unique places. It is housed in what are called reticular fibers, the substances that make up connective tissue. It is also found in the muscles, bone marrow, blood vessels, and reproductive organs such as the uterus. Type III collagen is also crucial for the healthy functioning of the cardiovascular system. Low Type III collagen has been linked to ruptured blood vessels and can be life-threatening.    Type IV collagen helps to strengthen endothelial cells that form the tissue protecting organs as well as muscles and fatty tissue. Endothelial cells also line the majority of the surfaces along the digestive tract and respiratory organs.    Type V collagen helps create the surface of cells while Type X helps with bone formation. There are at least a dozen others, all doing their job to keep your body lubricated, moving, and functioning at its best.    How to Help Your Body Create Collagen Naturally  Eat a diet and live a lifestyle that promotes the healthy synthesizing of your own natural healing and repair mechanisms  Avoid UV radiation exposure  Do not smoke cigarettes  Reduce/Manage stress levels    What To Look For In A Collagen Supplement  Look for multiple types of collagens  Clean sourced and organic  Bio-Availability - what is the delivery system - fermented, sprouted  Whole food and not synthetic ingredients  Contains Vitamin C - Without adequate amounts of dietary vitamin C, the body can’t actually form or store collagen  Be sure the manufacturer does consistent batch testing for heavy metals  Watch out for Natural Flavoring    Ingredient List for Organixx Clean Sourced Collagens, Multi-Collagen Blend:  Hydrolyzed  Grass Fed Pasture-Raised Bovine Collagen Peptides,   Bovine Bone Broth Hydrolyzed Protein,   Chicken Bone Broth Collagen Concentrate,   Clean Marine® Wild Caught Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen Peptides,  Eggshell Membrane Collagen,   Acerola Cherry (natural source of Vitamin C),   Camu Camu (natural source of Vitamin C),   Silica from Organic Horsetail,   Zinc Gluconate,   Fulvic Acid,   and Pyroxidine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6).                      Natural Flavors - Buyer Beware  Important to note, a governmental or independent agency does not approve or oversee the safety of the food flavors.      Deeper Dive Resources    INSPIRED Library:  All Collagen articles and recipes: https://organixx.com/?s=collagen&selector=art  https://organixx.com/what-is-collagen/  https://organixx.com/benefits-of-collagen/  https://organixx.com/collagen-benefits/  https://organixx.com/types-of-collagen/  https://organixx.com/collagen-gut-health/  https://organixx.com/benefits-of-zinc-collagen/  https://organixx.com/collagen-for-hair/  https://organixx.com/vitamin-c-collagen/  https://organixx.com/collagen-for-joints/  https://organixx.com/collagen-skin-health/    Food Babe - Vani Hari  https://foodbabe.com/the-differences-between-artificial-flavors-natural-flavors-organic-flavors-and-other-added-flavors/    The “Natural” vs. “Natural Flavors” Conflict in Food Labeling: A Regulatory Viewpoint.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29140655      Studies:    A randomized, double-blind, multicenter, controlled clinical trial of chicken type II collagen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.- To assess the efficacy and safety of chicken type II collagen (CCII) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with methotrexate (MTX).   CONCLUSION: CCII is effective in the treatment of RA. CCII is well tolerated, and the incidence of adverse events of CCII is lower than that of MTX.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18576295      Effect of Orally Administered Collagen Peptides from Bovine Bone on Skin Aging in Chronologically Aged Mice - In summary, the present study demonstrated oral administration of collagen peptides from bovine bone could improve the laxity of chronologically aged skin by increasing skin collagen content and ratio of type I to type III collagen, but it had no effect on moisture retention of skin.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707681/      An Overview of the Beneficial Effects of Hydrolysed Collagen as a Nutraceutical on Skin Properties: Scientific Background and Clinical Studies - Skin, the main barrier to the external environment, is subject to deterioration caused by dermatological disorders, environmental conditions and the intrinsic ageing process. This damage to both structure and function may be accelerated by smoking, alcohol consumption and chronic sun exposure (extrinsic components). All these factors may lead to the formation of wrinkles, the appearance of brown spots and skin thickening. One effective strategy to managing the skin ageing process is adopting a healthy nutritional approach to life, maintaining a balanced diet and a good supply of food supplements. This can restore the homeostasis of macro and micronutrients and support the physiology of cells and tissues in the skin. Hydrolysed collagen, an increasingly popular nutraceutical, is composed of low molecular weight small peptides, which are easily digestible, absorbed and distributed in the human body. Numerous clinical trials have now been performed showing the efficacy and benefits of collagen peptides on skin properties, such as hydration, elasticity and reduction of wrinkles. As a result, hydrolysed collagen can be considered an important weapon in the everyday fight against skin ageing.  https://benthamopen.com/ABSTRACT/TONUTRAJ-8-29      Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology - The results obtained in this study demonstrated that an oral supplementation with specific BCP over a period of 6 months led to a clear improvement of the skin appearance in women suffering from moderate cellulite. In addition, the data showed the marked potential of BCP to improve the skin morphology of cellulite-affected areas, providing new evidence of BCP's beneficial effects and postulating a new therapy strategy for cellulite treatment.  https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jmf.2015.0022      24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. - The results of this study have implications for the use of collagen hydrolysate to support joint health and possibly reduce the risk of joint deterioration in a high-risk group.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18416885         

The search term collagen has increased 40% already just in this year alone! So, is all the hype trendy or true? We’ve done the research and that’s the question we answer this week!    Did you know that your body naturally produces collagen every day? We dig into why supplementation is even a consideration.    Did you know there are several different types of collagen? We’ve tracked them all down and explain the part each type plays in our body.    Is collagen all about less sagging skin? Actually, no it isn’t! Tune in to hear about the ways collagen benefits our health. We guarantee some will surprise you.    Tune in for more no-nonsense information on what collagens are, how they may benefit your health, and what you need to look for when it comes to the products and foods, you're consuming.   Dictionary result for collagen  /ˈkäləjən/  noun  the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues, widely used in purified form for cosmetic surgical treatments.  "vitamin C plays a vital role in the formation of collagen"  Different collagen molecules make up about ⅓ of the total protein in a human body  Found in bone, skin, muscles, and tendons  The substance that connects cells and gives skin elasticity as well as strength    Collagen and Aging  Your body naturally produces collagen every day.   After the age of 25, we break down more collagen than we make.  Collagen supplements are an easy way to add more collagen to your diet.  Collagen has been shown to reduce wrinkles, keep joints strong and flexible, support strong bones, and increase skin hydration.    Why is collagen so good for you?  Collagen is vital for maintaining the structure and integrity of your entire body.    #1 – Strong Cartilage and Muscles   Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that is made up of collagen When you lack collagen, joint instability, stiffness, and pain can result. Likewise, muscles need cartilage to adhere themselves to the ends of bones. This is why muscle aches are one of the most common complaints of individuals with low collagen levels.    #2 – Healthy Teeth.   Collagen is needed to keep teeth in place in the gums. Loose teeth, toothache, sensitive teeth, and even tooth loss can result from a lack of collagen overall.    #3 – Thick Hair   Collagen plays an important part in hair growth since it fills in the spaces around each hair follicle. One way to tell if you are collagen deficient is to notice the quality and state of your hair. Dull, thin hair is a sign of low collagen levels. Collagen also helps fight free radicals that can damage hair.    #4 – Smooth Skin   Wrinkling and cellulite are other unfortunate results of low collagen in the body. Not enough collagen means skin begins to lose elasticity and sag, causing those pesky wrinkles as we age. Cellulite is another telltale sign of low collagen.    #5 – Good Gut Health.  Collagen helps heal the gut because of its ability to “seal the gut.” Leaky gut has been linked to autoimmune conditions and neurological conditions like autism.    Types of Collagens  There are over two dozen kinds of collagen, although roughly 85% of the collagen in the body is made up of Type I, II, or III (or a combination of these three types).  Type I collagen is the most prevalent type of collagen. It is the substance that makes up the skin, tendons, and bones as well as the structural framework of the organs. It should be your go-to for hair, skin, and nail health, especially for recouping lost collagen stores that occurs naturally as we age. It is also a “well-rounded generalist,” in that it is a good type for supporting overall health. Type I is also found in the digestive tract, which makes it (along with Type II) great for gut healing and repair.    Type II collagen is the structural component of cartilage in the body. Because of this, it is great for the joints and to rebuild cartilage in ligaments, tendons, skin, and bones. Type II collagen contains a variety of specific amino acids that are particularly helpful for the body. The first one, again, is glycine, which is beneficial for brain health and metabolism. The second one is proline, which helps clean artery walls. Type II may also be good for the respiratory system, detoxification pathways, and more because it contains arginine, another amino acid that is vital for nitric oxide production. [Note: Nitric oxide is produced in the body and is beneficial for supporting blood flow and lowering blood pressure.] For the most part, Type II collagen is where you want to turn for joint health and possibly even for arthritis support.     Type III collagen is typically found where ever Type 1 collagen can be found as well as some other unique places. It is housed in what are called reticular fibers, the substances that make up connective tissue. It is also found in the muscles, bone marrow, blood vessels, and reproductive organs such as the uterus. Type III collagen is also crucial for the healthy functioning of the cardiovascular system. Low Type III collagen has been linked to ruptured blood vessels and can be life-threatening.    Type IV collagen helps to strengthen endothelial cells that form the tissue protecting organs as well as muscles and fatty tissue. Endothelial cells also line the majority of the surfaces along the digestive tract and respiratory organs.    Type V collagen helps create the surface of cells while Type X helps with bone formation. There are at least a dozen others, all doing their job to keep your body lubricated, moving, and functioning at its best.    How to Help Your Body Create Collagen Naturally  Eat a diet and live a lifestyle that promotes the healthy synthesizing of your own natural healing and repair mechanisms  Avoid UV radiation exposure  Do not smoke cigarettes  Reduce/Manage stress levels    What To Look For In A Collagen Supplement  Look for multiple types of collagens  Clean sourced and organic  Bio-Availability - what is the delivery system - fermented, sprouted  Whole food and not synthetic ingredients  Contains Vitamin C - Without adequate amounts of dietary vitamin C, the body can’t actually form or store collagen  Be sure the manufacturer does consistent batch testing for heavy metals  Watch out for Natural Flavoring    Ingredient List for Organixx Clean Sourced Collagens, Multi-Collagen Blend:  Hydrolyzed  Grass Fed Pasture-Raised Bovine Collagen Peptides,   Bovine Bone Broth Hydrolyzed Protein,   Chicken Bone Broth Collagen Concentrate,   Clean Marine® Wild Caught Hydrolyzed Fish Collagen Peptides,  Eggshell Membrane Collagen,   Acerola Cherry (natural source of Vitamin C),   Camu Camu (natural source of Vitamin C),   Silica from Organic Horsetail,   Zinc Gluconate,   Fulvic Acid,   and Pyroxidine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6).                      Natural Flavors - Buyer Beware  Important to note, a governmental or independent agency does not approve or oversee the safety of the food flavors.      Deeper Dive Resources    INSPIRED Library:  All Collagen articles and recipes: https://organixx.com/?s=collagen&selector=art  https://organixx.com/what-is-collagen/  https://organixx.com/benefits-of-collagen/  https://organixx.com/collagen-benefits/  https://organixx.com/types-of-collagen/  https://organixx.com/collagen-gut-health/  https://organixx.com/benefits-of-zinc-collagen/  https://organixx.com/collagen-for-hair/  https://organixx.com/vitamin-c-collagen/  https://organixx.com/collagen-for-joints/  https://organixx.com/collagen-skin-health/    Food Babe - Vani Hari  https://foodbabe.com/the-differences-between-artificial-flavors-natural-flavors-organic-flavors-and-other-added-flavors/    The “Natural” vs. “Natural Flavors” Conflict in Food Labeling: A Regulatory Viewpoint.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29140655      Studies:    A randomized, double-blind, multicenter, controlled clinical trial of chicken type II collagen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.- To assess the efficacy and safety of chicken type II collagen (CCII) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with methotrexate (MTX).   CONCLUSION: CCII is effective in the treatment of RA. CCII is well tolerated, and the incidence of adverse events of CCII is lower than that of MTX.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18576295      Effect of Orally Administered Collagen Peptides from Bovine Bone on Skin Aging in Chronologically Aged Mice - In summary, the present study demonstrated oral administration of collagen peptides from bovine bone could improve the laxity of chronologically aged skin by increasing skin collagen content and ratio of type I to type III collagen, but it had no effect on moisture retention of skin.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5707681/      An Overview of the Beneficial Effects of Hydrolysed Collagen as a Nutraceutical on Skin Properties: Scientific Background and Clinical Studies - Skin, the main barrier to the external environment, is subject to deterioration caused by dermatological disorders, environmental conditions and the intrinsic ageing process. This damage to both structure and function may be accelerated by smoking, alcohol consumption and chronic sun exposure (extrinsic components). All these factors may lead to the formation of wrinkles, the appearance of brown spots and skin thickening. One effective strategy to managing the skin ageing process is adopting a healthy nutritional approach to life, maintaining a balanced diet and a good supply of food supplements. This can restore the homeostasis of macro and micronutrients and support the physiology of cells and tissues in the skin. Hydrolysed collagen, an increasingly popular nutraceutical, is composed of low molecular weight small peptides, which are easily digestible, absorbed and distributed in the human body. Numerous clinical trials have now been performed showing the efficacy and benefits of collagen peptides on skin properties, such as hydration, elasticity and reduction of wrinkles. As a result, hydrolysed collagen can be considered an important weapon in the everyday fight against skin ageing.  https://benthamopen.com/ABSTRACT/TONUTRAJ-8-29      Dietary Supplementation with Specific Collagen Peptides Has a Body Mass Index-Dependent Beneficial Effect on Cellulite Morphology - The results obtained in this study demonstrated that an oral supplementation with specific BCP over a period of 6 months led to a clear improvement of the skin appearance in women suffering from moderate cellulite. In addition, the data showed the marked potential of BCP to improve the skin morphology of cellulite-affected areas, providing new evidence of BCP's beneficial effects and postulating a new therapy strategy for cellulite treatment.  https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jmf.2015.0022      24-Week study on the use of collagen hydrolysate as a dietary supplement in athletes with activity-related joint pain. - The results of this study have implications for the use of collagen hydrolysate to support joint health and possibly reduce the risk of joint deterioration in a high-risk group.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18416885         

In this episode, we talk with John Malanca about Nature's most healing plant! We tackle topics like, what is cannabis, how it used medically, the difference between THC and CBD, and much more! Fact: Most cancer patients do not die from cancer, but malnutrition.  John’s Introduction into Medical Cannabis  In 2011, father-in-law was battling stage 4 lung cancer, couldn’t eat, and was on oxygen 24/7.  Doctor gave him two weeks to live.  Started using a coconut oil capsule infused with raw and heated cannabis.  Within 24 hours he was eating, by day 8 he was walking around the house.  At the 3 month mark, switched to a full extract cannabis oil - administering a minute amount in the evening.  Within 6 months he was walking, driving, and Hospice fired him as a patient!  By the 9th month he had the first scan to show, “No evidence of recurrent disease."  After 17 lung and brain scans showing no evidence of recurrent disease! He is still healthy and happy today - 8 years later!    United Patients Group  Founded by John and Corrine Malanca to fill the information void surrounding medical cannabis.  Don't sell products - strictly education and information.  Teach local, state, international governments, as well as local, state and international medical institutions about medical cannabis.  All courses are CME approved continuing medical education.    What is cannabis?  Cannabis (/ˈkænəbɪs/) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae.   Also known as Hemp if less than .03% THC in the composition of the plant  Three species may be recognized:   Cannabis Sativa – formulations that include more uplifting, “day time” feelings  Cannabis Indica - formulations that include more sedative and relaxing effects, including pain reduction   Cannabis Ruderalis - (not discussed in the interview) naturally low concentrations of THC occurring, more research is being done on this variation of the species   Cannabis Hybrid - formulations that are mixes of Sativa and Indica based plants made from crossbreeding    There are currently 483 known compounds in the plant.  The main psychoactive part of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although this is the main psychoactive components of the plant, it is also one of the main cannabinoids needed and used in medical treatments when Cannabis is on the protocol.   Contains at least 113 cannabinoids     Two Known Subtypes of Cannabinoid Receptors  First discovered in the 1980s. Located throughout the body. Part of the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory, and more that have since been researched. These receptors are all over our body, head to toe.  The CB1 receptor is expressed mainly in the brain (central nervous system or "CNS"), but also in the lungs, liver and kidneys.   These receptors are thought to be one of the most widely expressed Gαi protein-coupled receptors in the brain  The CB2 receptor is expressed mainly in the immune system and in hematopoietic cells.  These receptors are mainly expressed on T cells of the immune system, on macrophages and B cells, and in hematopoietic cells.   They also have a function in keratinocytes.   They are also expressed on peripheral nerve terminals. These receptors play a role in antinociception, or the relief of pain.    What are Cannabinoids?  A cannabinoid is one of a class of diverse chemical compounds that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain.   113 cannabinoids have been isolated from the Cannabis plant.  Research shows the effect of cannabinoids might be modulated by aromatic compounds produced by the cannabis plant, called terpenes as well as by the other cannabinoids.  This interaction would lead to the entourage effect.    Medical Uses  Medical cannabis (or medical marijuana) refers to the use of cannabis and its constituent cannabinoids, as well as terpenes, to treat disease or improve symptoms relief.   reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy  improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS or cancer  treat chronic pain and muscle spasms (MS and other nerve related pain)  lessens tremors in Parkinson’s Disease  control seizures  reduce pain of cluster headaches in minutes  cannabinoids are under preliminary research for their potential to affect stroke  THC has been shown to kill cancer cells  CBD has been shown to stop cancer cells and prevent the spread  Many more!    Delivery Systems - Ways to Consume Medical Cannabis  Sublingual absorption  Topical  Vaporization  Suppositories  Transdermal patches  Edibles      Interesting Statistics    This statistic presents the percentage of U.S. adults who would recommend medical cannabis to their friends as of January 2017. It was found that 62 percent of respondents aged between 18 and 34 years were likely to recommend cannabis.      This statistic displays the annual number of daily doses of prescribed drugs per physician in U.S. states with and without medical cannabis law, as of 2016. According to the data, physicians in states without medical cannabis laws prescribed about 95,672 daily doses of medication annually. Compared to that, the number was significantly lower in states which had a medical cannabis law.      This graph shows the number of legal medical marijuana patients by U.S. state, per 1,000 state residents, as of May 17, 2018. The state of Colorado had the highest rate of legal medical marijuana patients per 1,000 state residents with 15.86 patients    Region: United States  Survey time period: as of May 17, 2018  Supplementary notes...  No data available for: North Dakota, Ohio, West Virginia.   * Arkansas has started issuing medical marijuana registry ID cards, but marijuana is not yet available in the state.   ** California had 5,848 registered patients in Fiscal Year 2017/2018, but registration is voluntary and most patients are not registered. We made an estimate using the per capita number of patients in Arizona because of geographical proximity. The Marijuana Policy Project's (MPP) Feb. 2018 estimate for California, 1,256,550, used Maine's per capita number of patients.   *** In presenting the number of medical marijuana registration cards printed, Maine's medical marijuana program website states, "This number is not an accurate reflection of the number of patients as it contains all certifications printed, including misprints, reissue of lost certifications and other anomalies."   **** Washington listed 32,123 recognition cards created as of May 16, 2018, but registration isn't required to be a medical marijuana patient except for patients under 18. As a result, we created an estimate based on the per capita patient numbers in Oregon.            Deeper Dive Resources    John Malanca:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-malanca-7807956b  https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/about-cancer-and-medical-cannabis/    United Patients Group:  https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/  https://www.facebook.com/UnitedPatientsGroup/      Cannabis:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis    Indica vs Sativa:  https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/sativa-indica-and-hybrid-differences-between-cannabis-types    Ruderalis:  https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-cannabis-ruderalis    Cannabinoids:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid    Entourage Effect:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entourage_effect    Side by Side Image of Cannabis and Lyrica:  https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2014/06/30/fibromyalgia-big-pharma-vs-medical-cannabis    Laws By State:  https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/Medical-Marijuana-Laws-By-State    Studies in 2018:  Cannabis Is Safe and Effective at Treating Pain in the Elderly  CBD Protects Against the Damaging Effects of Iron in Aging Brain Diseases  A Case for Balanced THC and CBD in Colorectal Cancer Prevention  CBD Protects Against Endometrial Cancer by Activating TRPV1 Receptors  THC Enhances the Pain-Relieving Effects of Opioids in Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study  THC Boosts the Efficacy of a Traditional Neuropathic Pain Medication  CBD Blocks Toxin’s Ability to Promote Schizophrenia-like Symptoms  Cannabis Protects Against Alcohol’s Damaging Effects on the Stomach  A Balanced Cannabis Approach May Treat Spasticity in ALS  Cannabis Smoke Improves Working Memory in Underperformers  The Entourage Effect in Rodent-Model Breast Cancer  A Deeper Understanding of Cannabis’s Anti-Nausea Effects  A Shift in Cannabis & Schizophrenia Theory  Clinical Trial Finds Benefits of CBD in Autism  A Novel Target for Low-Dose CBD Is Identified  CBD Treats Brain Changes Caused by Regular Cannabis Use  Transdermal CBD for the Treatment of Non-Opioid Addictions  Plant-Derived Cannabinoids Improve the Efficacy of Cancer Treatment  CBD’s Fast-Acting, Long-Lasting Antidepressant Effects in Rodents  Cannabis-Based Pharmaceutical Improves Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis    

In this episode, we talk with John Malanca about Nature's most healing plant! We tackle topics like, what is cannabis, how it used medically, the difference between THC and CBD, and much more! Fact: Most cancer patients do not die from cancer, but malnutrition.  John’s Introduction into Medical Cannabis  In 2011, father-in-law was battling stage 4 lung cancer, couldn’t eat, and was on oxygen 24/7.  Doctor gave him two weeks to live.  Started using a coconut oil capsule infused with raw and heated cannabis.  Within 24 hours he was eating, by day 8 he was walking around the house.  At the 3 month mark, switched to a full extract cannabis oil - administering a minute amount in the evening.  Within 6 months he was walking, driving, and Hospice fired him as a patient!  By the 9th month he had the first scan to show, “No evidence of recurrent disease."  After 17 lung and brain scans showing no evidence of recurrent disease! He is still healthy and happy today - 8 years later!    United Patients Group  Founded by John and Corrine Malanca to fill the information void surrounding medical cannabis.  Don't sell products - strictly education and information.  Teach local, state, international governments, as well as local, state and international medical institutions about medical cannabis.  All courses are CME approved continuing medical education.    What is cannabis?  Cannabis (/ˈkænəbɪs/) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae.   Also known as Hemp if less than .03% THC in the composition of the plant  Three species may be recognized:   Cannabis Sativa – formulations that include more uplifting, “day time” feelings  Cannabis Indica - formulations that include more sedative and relaxing effects, including pain reduction   Cannabis Ruderalis - (not discussed in the interview) naturally low concentrations of THC occurring, more research is being done on this variation of the species   Cannabis Hybrid - formulations that are mixes of Sativa and Indica based plants made from crossbreeding    There are currently 483 known compounds in the plant.  The main psychoactive part of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although this is the main psychoactive components of the plant, it is also one of the main cannabinoids needed and used in medical treatments when Cannabis is on the protocol.   Contains at least 113 cannabinoids     Two Known Subtypes of Cannabinoid Receptors  First discovered in the 1980s. Located throughout the body. Part of the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a variety of physiological processes including appetite, pain-sensation, mood, and memory, and more that have since been researched. These receptors are all over our body, head to toe.  The CB1 receptor is expressed mainly in the brain (central nervous system or "CNS"), but also in the lungs, liver and kidneys.   These receptors are thought to be one of the most widely expressed Gαi protein-coupled receptors in the brain  The CB2 receptor is expressed mainly in the immune system and in hematopoietic cells.  These receptors are mainly expressed on T cells of the immune system, on macrophages and B cells, and in hematopoietic cells.   They also have a function in keratinocytes.   They are also expressed on peripheral nerve terminals. These receptors play a role in antinociception, or the relief of pain.    What are Cannabinoids?  A cannabinoid is one of a class of diverse chemical compounds that acts on cannabinoid receptors in cells that alter neurotransmitter release in the brain.   113 cannabinoids have been isolated from the Cannabis plant.  Research shows the effect of cannabinoids might be modulated by aromatic compounds produced by the cannabis plant, called terpenes as well as by the other cannabinoids.  This interaction would lead to the entourage effect.    Medical Uses  Medical cannabis (or medical marijuana) refers to the use of cannabis and its constituent cannabinoids, as well as terpenes, to treat disease or improve symptoms relief.   reduce nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy  improve appetite in people with HIV/AIDS or cancer  treat chronic pain and muscle spasms (MS and other nerve related pain)  lessens tremors in Parkinson’s Disease  control seizures  reduce pain of cluster headaches in minutes  cannabinoids are under preliminary research for their potential to affect stroke  THC has been shown to kill cancer cells  CBD has been shown to stop cancer cells and prevent the spread  Many more!    Delivery Systems - Ways to Consume Medical Cannabis  Sublingual absorption  Topical  Vaporization  Suppositories  Transdermal patches  Edibles      Interesting Statistics    This statistic presents the percentage of U.S. adults who would recommend medical cannabis to their friends as of January 2017. It was found that 62 percent of respondents aged between 18 and 34 years were likely to recommend cannabis.      This statistic displays the annual number of daily doses of prescribed drugs per physician in U.S. states with and without medical cannabis law, as of 2016. According to the data, physicians in states without medical cannabis laws prescribed about 95,672 daily doses of medication annually. Compared to that, the number was significantly lower in states which had a medical cannabis law.      This graph shows the number of legal medical marijuana patients by U.S. state, per 1,000 state residents, as of May 17, 2018. The state of Colorado had the highest rate of legal medical marijuana patients per 1,000 state residents with 15.86 patients    Region: United States  Survey time period: as of May 17, 2018  Supplementary notes...  No data available for: North Dakota, Ohio, West Virginia.   * Arkansas has started issuing medical marijuana registry ID cards, but marijuana is not yet available in the state.   ** California had 5,848 registered patients in Fiscal Year 2017/2018, but registration is voluntary and most patients are not registered. We made an estimate using the per capita number of patients in Arizona because of geographical proximity. The Marijuana Policy Project's (MPP) Feb. 2018 estimate for California, 1,256,550, used Maine's per capita number of patients.   *** In presenting the number of medical marijuana registration cards printed, Maine's medical marijuana program website states, "This number is not an accurate reflection of the number of patients as it contains all certifications printed, including misprints, reissue of lost certifications and other anomalies."   **** Washington listed 32,123 recognition cards created as of May 16, 2018, but registration isn't required to be a medical marijuana patient except for patients under 18. As a result, we created an estimate based on the per capita patient numbers in Oregon.            Deeper Dive Resources    John Malanca:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-malanca-7807956b  https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/about-cancer-and-medical-cannabis/    United Patients Group:  https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/  https://www.facebook.com/UnitedPatientsGroup/      Cannabis:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis    Indica vs Sativa:  https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/sativa-indica-and-hybrid-differences-between-cannabis-types    Ruderalis:  https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/what-is-cannabis-ruderalis    Cannabinoids:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid    Entourage Effect:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entourage_effect    Side by Side Image of Cannabis and Lyrica:  https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2014/06/30/fibromyalgia-big-pharma-vs-medical-cannabis    Laws By State:  https://unitedpatientsgroup.com/Medical-Marijuana-Laws-By-State    Studies in 2018:  Cannabis Is Safe and Effective at Treating Pain in the Elderly  CBD Protects Against the Damaging Effects of Iron in Aging Brain Diseases  A Case for Balanced THC and CBD in Colorectal Cancer Prevention  CBD Protects Against Endometrial Cancer by Activating TRPV1 Receptors  THC Enhances the Pain-Relieving Effects of Opioids in Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study  THC Boosts the Efficacy of a Traditional Neuropathic Pain Medication  CBD Blocks Toxin’s Ability to Promote Schizophrenia-like Symptoms  Cannabis Protects Against Alcohol’s Damaging Effects on the Stomach  A Balanced Cannabis Approach May Treat Spasticity in ALS  Cannabis Smoke Improves Working Memory in Underperformers  The Entourage Effect in Rodent-Model Breast Cancer  A Deeper Understanding of Cannabis’s Anti-Nausea Effects  A Shift in Cannabis & Schizophrenia Theory  Clinical Trial Finds Benefits of CBD in Autism  A Novel Target for Low-Dose CBD Is Identified  CBD Treats Brain Changes Caused by Regular Cannabis Use  Transdermal CBD for the Treatment of Non-Opioid Addictions  Plant-Derived Cannabinoids Improve the Efficacy of Cancer Treatment  CBD’s Fast-Acting, Long-Lasting Antidepressant Effects in Rodents  Cannabis-Based Pharmaceutical Improves Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis    

Join Jonathan and Wade Lightheart today as he helps us understand enzymes. What they do, why they’re considered micro miracles, and how your health depends on them. Plus, Wade helps us understand what we want to look for in a supplement. You don’t want to miss this one! About Wade Lightheart 3-Time Canadian All Natural Bodybuilding Champion who competed as vegetarian, former Mr. Universe Competitor, host of The Awesome Health podcast, Wade Lightheart is one of the world’s premier authorities on Natural Nutrition and Training Methods. Having majored in Sports Science at the University of New Brunswick, he has authored numerous books on health, nutrition and exercise which have sold in over 80 countries. Wade also serves as an advisor to the American Anti-Cancer Institute. He’s been in the health industry for over 25 years, coached thousands of clients, and is sought out by athletes and high-performance oriented individuals worldwide for his advice on how to optimize their health and fitness levels.   What Are Enzymes? ENZYME - noun BIOCHEMISTRY a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. There are approximately 25,000 different enzymatic functions in the body The number of enzymes that you have present in your body is directly proportion to the amount of chemical reactions that you can engage in in the body. The difference between stones, plants, and people is enzymes, the amount and the role of those enzymes. They are the most critical component to all metabolic transactions.   Enzyme Bank It's like having a bank account. In other words, your ability to write metabolic checks, to build, to repair, to heal, to digest your food, to make your hormones work, to break down the smallest chemical reactions, to make your skin nice, you name it, requires an enzymatic pathway.   Our Current Food Supply is Lacking In today's world, we've radically compromised the amount of enzymes that we're getting from our food, the quality of those enzymes, and we've added a host of agents that actually interrupt our body's natural enzymatic mechanisms and that is having consequences across the globe that are extremely dire.   Pottenger & His Cats Francis Pottenger, Jr, MD, has given the cat world one of the best books available in the study of carnivore's nutrition. From 1932 to 1942, Dr. Francis Marion Pottenger Jr. conducted a group of experiments to determine the effects of heat-processed food on cats. Cats fed an all-raw diet were healthy while cats fed the cooked meat diet developed various health problems. At the time of Pottenger’s studies the heat labile amino acid taurine had not yet been identified as essential for cats. This work shows that the deficiencies Pottenger identified in cats correspond with those of a taurine deficiency and are the direct result of the lack of taurine in the feline diet. The physiological effects of a cooked diet described by Pottenger in his papers were compared with data from recent studies on taurine deficiency in the feline diet. Results. Pottenger’s main observations of near and far sightedness, cardiac lesions, increased stillbirth, low birthweight, poor kitten survival, and developmental abnormalities each correspond to published descriptions of taurine deficiency in cats with multiple references for each described condition. Taurine deficiency is a strong explanation for the symptoms observed by Pottenger in his cat studies. Pottenger’s own conclusion that there was an ‘as yet unidentified, heat-labile protein factor’ is realized in taurine.   4 Major Types of Enzymes There are four major categories of enzymes and then there are derivatives of each, Proteases which break down protein, lipase which breaks down fats, amylase which breaks down carbohydrates, and cellulase which breaks down fiber in plants.   What happens if I don't have the protease in my body to break down the all the protein that I'm ingesting? Gas Bloating Skin problems Brain fog The reason? Because you're feeding bad bacteria who are producing a variety of endotoxins inside the body that are interrupting your natural activity.   Disturbing Statistics from Wade’s Research In America today, 12% of the emergency hospital visits are related to gastrointestinal related illnesses. People going to the hospital in an ambulance because they're not breaking down their food.   A third of the population is suffering from digestive illness on any given day. And about 25% of the population is on prescription meds for this. And the correlation between digestive disease and depression and challenges for brain function, because most of your neurotransmitters are built off amino acids that got to be broken down and transported from the gut to your brain is directly correlated with the lack of enzymes.   What to look for in an enzyme supplement? Make sure it's at least half full of proteolytic enzymes and you want at least three proteases. The 3.0 the 4.5 and the 6.0 which relate to the spectrum within the pH band. You want to make sure it has up in that that range of like 70-80,000 HUT (One FCC HUT unit of proteolytic (protease) activity is defined as that amount of enzyme that produces, in one minute under the specified conditions, a hydrolysate whose absorbance at 275nm is the same as that of a solution containing 1.10 g per mL of tyrosine in 0.006N hydrochloric acid. Contains cultured enzymes. Broad spectrum. Contains AstraZyme   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources  Organixx P3E Enzymes https://organixx.com/p3e?gl=5e29babe02e26bdb05020909 Pottenger’s Cats - Research https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6d5a/ae7b70dbbad5b25f8fa99e8d33c630366082.pdf National Center for Health Statistics https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/digestive-diseases.htm Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/digestive-diseases Collagens: Hype or Healthy – Episode 15 https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/collagens-hype-or-healthy-episode-15/?gl=5d37204c02e26bc012183af2 Enzymes 201: P3E The NEW Powerful Proteolytic Enzyme https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/enzymes-201-p3e-the-new-powerful-proteolytic-enzyme/  

Ashwagandha is an important herb used in the ancient Indian system of medicine known as Ayurveda to promote general health and well-being. In Ayurvedic practice, ashwagandha is classified as a Rasayana, which means an herb or preparation that rejuvenates, extends life, and promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health. Listen in to discover more about ashwagandha’s incredible health benefits in general and a special potent “superhero” form known as KSM-66 ashwagandha. What Does Ashwagandha Do? Ashwagandha’s superpower is that it is an adaptogen. Adaptogens are non-toxic therapies that normalize our bodily functions – both physical and mental – that are thrown out of balance when we are exposed to chronic, uncontrolled stress. They do so by correcting imbalances in the neuroendocrine and immune systems [2]. In short, adaptogens enhance our ability to cope with stress. There are more than 35 natural compounds in ashwagandha including alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins, and with anolides. These compounds have been shown to have anti-stress activity in multiple laboratory models of chronic stress and in some human studies as well [1-5]. Additionally, ashwagandha extracts as well as specific bioactive compounds present in this plant – primarily in the roots – have been shown to help: counter pain and joint swelling associated with arthritis • boost various components of the immune system • protect the brain and nervous system • slow down or even kill abnormal cells • enhance both male and female sexual desire and function What Is KSM-66 Ashwagandha? KSM-66 Ashwagandha is a high-concentration ashwagandha root extract manufactured and sold by Ixoreal Biomed, located in Hyderabad, India [6]. Ashwagandha KSM-66 is made solely from ashwagandha roots, which contain its main bioactive ingredients, without using any other parts that are considered to be less effective. A unique feature of KSM-66 ashwagandha is that it’s standardized to a withanolide content of at least 5 percent. Withanolides are a group of around 300 naturally occurring steroid compounds, some of which are naturally present in ashwagandha. One example is Withaferin A, an anti-inflammatory compound that has also been shown to stop tumors from growing their own blood vessels, slowing down their growth, and perhaps even shrinking them. Last but not least, KSM-66 ashwagandha is produced by a unique extraction process, based on the principles of “green chemistry,” without using alcohol or any synthetic solvents. Let’s take a closer look now at some of KSM-66 ashwagandha’s benefits for health. What Too Much Cortisol Does to the Body Any stressful event in our lives causes our adrenal glands to produce cortisol, a steroid hormone that acts to control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, lower inflammation levels, influence memory formation, and manage salt and water balance [7]. The more stressed we are and the longer we’re stressed, the more our adrenals respond by releasing cortisol into our bloodstream. Too much cortisol in the blood over a prolonged period of time can lead to: rapid weight gain high blood pressure osteoporosis muscle weakness mood swings anxiety, depression, or irritability increased thirst and frequency of urination [7] Ongoing high cortisol levels can also eventually cause a lack of sex drive in men. In women, periods typically become irregular, less frequent, or may even stop altogether (amenorrhea). How Can Ashwagandha Help Us Cope With Stress? To answer this question, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of KSM-66 ashwagandha (which, as mentioned above, is a high-concentration, full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract) in 64 adults [5]. After 60 days of treatment, the study authors observed a “substantial reduction” in four separate measures of stress in the study participants. KSM-66 ashwagandha also reduced levels of the hormone cortisol in the blood. By lowering cortisol, ashwagandha tones down the body’s response to stressful situations, in effect “calming us down.” No serious adverse events were reported [5] and the study researchers concluded that: “High-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.” Similarly, in another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 60 stressed but otherwise healthy adults were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or an ashwagandha root extract once daily for 2 months [8]. At the end of the study, participants given ashwagandha showed a significant reduction in their stress, anxiety, and depression scores. Once again, ashwagandha consumption was associated with a greater reduction in the levels of cortisol in the blood, when compared with placebo [8]. The Connection Between Stress and Obesity Chronic stress has been associated with many illnesses, including obesity. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, ashwagandha consumption was seen to lead to significant reductions in emotional and uncontrolled food cravings while also lowering cortisol, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) in 52 subjects subjected to chronic stress [9]. Indeed, laboratory experiments in mice have shown that one of the main active ingredients in ashwagandha known as Withaferin A can protect against obesity caused by a high-fat diet by reducing inflammation in the liver, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance [10]. These and other findings make it clear that ashwagandha is a powerful tool in our battle against ongoing stress, likely by regulating various specific aspects of our hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This is an interactive neuroendocrine system that plays a key role in maintaining our body’s internal equilibrium, along with orchestrating our body’s response to stress. Ashwagandha Benefits for Joint Pain Ashwagandha is a key ingredient in many Ayurvedic formulations prescribed for joint-related conditions such as osteoarthritis. Indeed, many research studies show that ashwagandha and its bioactive ingredients help to manage and reduce inflammation levels. For instance, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial published in 1991, 42 patients with osteoarthritis were randomized to receive a formula containing ashwagandha, frankincense, turmeric, and zinc – or placebo – for three months [11]. Clinical efficacy was evaluated every 15 days in terms of severity of pain, morning stiffness, Ritchie articular index (a weighted score of tenderness and swelling in 53 joint groups, each scored on a 0-3 scale), joint score, disability score, and grip strength. Throughout the study, the herbal formula was seen to significantly reduce the severity of joint pain and disability. No significant adverse effects were reported. In another study, 86 patients with joint pain were given 5 grams of ashwagandha powder twice a day for three weeks with lukewarm water or milk [12]. Then these patients took another Ayurvedic preparation known as Sidh Makardhwaj – a formulation used in rheumatoid arthritis and neurological disorders – daily for the next four weeks. Treatment with ashwagandha and Sidh Makardhwaj for seven weeks led to significantly improved scores of joint swelling, tenderness, and pain, indicating that this combination treatment is likely to be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis. Indeed, in laboratory experiments, an ashwagandha root extract was seen to reduce inflammation in knee cartilage taken from chronic osteoarthritis patients [13]. Ashwagandha for Boosting Endurance, Muscle Strength, and Recovery Ashwagandha has long had the reputation of being able to enhance cardiovascular endurance and physical performance. As stated earlier, consuming this herb is said to impart the strength and stamina of a horse [1]. In a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study, KSM-66 ashwagandha was shown to significantly boost cardiorespiratory endurance and improve self-reported quality of life (QOL) in 50 healthy male and female athletic adults [14]. In another randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, 57 young men with little previous experience in resistance training were randomized into treatment and placebo groups [15]. Participants in the treatment group consumed 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice daily, while those in the control group took starch placebos instead. Multiple measurements – including muscle strength, muscle size, body composition, testosterone levels, and muscle recovery – were made before the start of the study. Both groups then went through resistance training for 8 weeks and the measurements were repeated when they were done. Promisingly, the group of men taking ashwagandha root extract had significantly greater increases in muscle strength and arm muscle size relative to the placebo group. They also showed significantly less exercise-induced muscle damage, higher testosterone levels, and a greater reduction in body fat percentage. In other words, ashwagandha supplementation is associated with significant increases in muscle mass, strength, and recovery after exercise. In another randomized, double-blind strength and conditioning study known as the STAR trial, 500 mg of an extract of ashwagandha roots and leaves was consumed by recreationally active young men for 12 weeks [16]. Body composition, muscular strength, power, and endurance, cycling time trial, and blood chemistry were measured before and after the study. Consuming the ashwagandha extract was seen to improve upper and lower body strength and improve distribution of body mass in these men, once again without causing any serious adverse effects. Ashwagandha as an Immune System Enhancer Ashwagandha enhances immune function. In a small study, ashwagandha root extract was seen to activate multiple types of immune cells in the participants [17]. Similarly, a tea fortified with five herbs including ashwagandha was seen to activate so-called “natural killer” (NK) cells in not just one, but two independent double-blind intervention studies conducted in India on healthy volunteers [18]. NK cell activity is an important aspect of our body’s early immune response to infections. Interestingly, in other situations, ashwagandha extracts have also been shown to suppress specific components of the immune system. For example, one of the characteristic features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the continuous production of pro-inflammatory compounds known as cytokines in joint cavities, triggering inflammation and cartilage destruction. In laboratory experiments in rats, a root extract of ashwagandha was seen to suppress production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduce oxidative stress [19]. The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Ashwagandha Numerous laboratory studies show that ashwagandha – traditionally used in Ayurveda to boost intellect and memory – can slow, stop, and reverse damage to brain cells and may even help to reconstruct brain cell networks. For instance, ashwagandha extracts have been shown to promote nerve cell growth in culture [20]. Withanolide A, withanoside IV, and withanoside VI were identified as the bioactive compounds responsible. Ashwagandha extracts as well as specific bioactive compounds (e.g., withanolide A) have also been shown to protect nerve cells in culture against damage caused by various toxic agents [21]. Amazingly, the administration of withanoside IV for 21 days led to recovery in a rat model of spinal cord damage [20]. It is well known that toxic free radicals damage brain cells and contribute to both normal aging and aging-related health conditions. In a 2015 study, both ashwagandha extracts and a bioactive compound known as withanone were seen to protect nerve cells from oxidative damage [22]. Not surprisingly, ashwagandha has long been used in Ayurveda to enhance memory and improve mental faculties. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 50 adults suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) – who are considered to be at a greater risk of developing dementia later in life – were treated with either 300 mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha twice daily or placebo for 8 weeks [23]. After 8 weeks, the ashwagandha KSM-66 group showed significant improvements in both their immediate or short-term as well as general memory, relative to the placebo group. The ashwagandha group also showed significant improvements in executive function, sustained attention, and information-processing abilities. Can Ashwagandha Even Help Protect Against Abnormal Cell Growth? Ashwagandha and other species of Withania are well known in folk medicine traditions for their anti-cancer properties and their extracts have been shown to be toxic for multiple types of cancer cells in laboratory experiments [24]. They appear to act by slowing down or even stopping cancer cell growth by inducing programmed cell death or “apoptosis.” As stated earlier, Withaferin A, an anti-inflammatory withanolide, has been shown to act as an anti-angiogenic. In other words, it can help stop tumors from growing their own blood vessels, slowing down their growth, or perhaps even shrinking them. As reported in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology in August 2019, growing evidence suggests that Withaferin A is very effective against cancer [25]. For instance, low response rate and recurrence are common issues in lung cancer. Withaferin A has been shown to exhibit potent toxicity against several lung cancer cell lines in laboratory experiments. Not only that, the combination of Withaferin A and chemotherapeutic drugs were shown to have additive effects on lung cancer cell survival [26]. Withaferin A has also been shown to be toxic for breast cancer and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells in laboratory experiments [27,28]. Similarly, other bioactive compounds in ashwagandha have also been shown to be toxic for cancer cells in laboratory experiments [29]. KSM-66 Ashwagandha’s Impact on Libido and Infertility Ashwagandha root extract has been shown to enhance sexual desire and function in both men and women. For instance, ashwagandha has been described in Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac that can be used to treat male sexual dysfunction and infertility. In a pilot study conducted to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha in patients with a low sperm count (known as oligospermia), a total of 46 male patients were randomized either to treatment with KSM-66 Ashwagandha or placebo for 90 days [30]. At the end of the study, participants given KSM-66 ashwagandha showed a 167% increase in sperm count, a 53% increase in semen volume, and a 57% increase in sperm motility relative to baseline. In comparison, only minimal changes were seen in the placebo group. Further, a greater improvement in hormone levels was seen with KSM-66 ashwagandha. In other words, ashwagandha is likely to be very effective in treating oligospermia, which is a leading cause of male infertility. Similarly, a meta-analysis showed that ashwagandha significantly improved sperm concentration and sperm motility even in men with normal sperm parameters, without any adverse effects [31]. Ashwagandha has also been shown to enhance sexual function in women. At the Trupti Hospital and Santati Fertility Center located near Mumbai in India, 50 women were randomized to either ashwagandha treatment or placebo (300 mg twice daily) for 8 weeks [32]. In this study, ashwagandha supplementation was shown to lead to significantly higher scores in multiple markers of sexual desire and function. But Is Ashwagandha Safe? Ashwagandha root powder has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and it is believed to be completely safe and free of any toxicity. Extracts of ashwagandha made using alcohol and water will likely contain higher doses of its natural ingredients, relative to raw powder. So far animal studies with such extracts have shown no evidence of toxicity, even at relatively high doses [33]. However, it is always advisable to take an herbal supplement only after consulting your healthcare provider, especially if you have any ongoing health conditions or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Organixx Turmeric 3D Contains KSM-66 Ashwagandha The Organixx Turmeric 3D formula has always contained ashwagandha extract. As part of our commitment to seeking out the cleanest and most effective supplement ingredients, we upgraded to KSM-66 Ashwagandha in 2019 – the most clinically studied ashwagandha on the market. KSM-66 is a full-spectrum extract produced using a unique proprietary extraction process, based on “Green Chemistry” principles, without using alcohol or any other chemical solvent.   Deeper Dive Resources [1] An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. [2] Scientific basis for the use of Indian ayurvedic medicinal plants in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders: ashwagandha. [3] Scientific Basis for the Therapeutic Use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): A Review. [4] Anti‐stress activity of sitoindosides VII and VIII, new acylsterylglucosides from Withania somnifera. [5] A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. [6] KSM-66 Ashwagandha Documentary [7] Society for Endocrinology: You and Your Hormones – Cortisol. [8] An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. [9] Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. [10] Withaferin A Protects Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance. [11] Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. [12] Efficacy & safety evaluation of Ayurvedic treatment (Ashwagandha powder & Sidh Makardhwaj) in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot prospective study. [13] The relationship between chondroprotective and antiinflammatory effects of Withania somnifera root and glucosamine sulphate on human osteoarthritic cartilage in vitro. [14] Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. [15] Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. [16] Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Withania somnifera on Strength Training Adaptations and Recovery: The STAR Trial. [17] In vivo effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on the activation of lymphocytes. [18] In vivo enhancement of natural killer cell activity through tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs. [19] In vivo, Extract from Withania somnifera Root Ameliorates Arthritis via Regulation of Key Immune Mediators of Inflammation in Experimental Model of Arthritis. [20] Effects of Ashwagandha (roots of Withania somnifera) on neurodegenerative diseases. [21] Neuritic regeneration and synaptic reconstruction induced by withanolide A. [22] Combinations of Ashwagandha leaf extracts protect brain-derived cells against oxidative stress and induce differentiation. [23] Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions. [24] Medicinal Plants from Near East for Cancer Therapy. [25] Withaferin A: From ayurvedic folk medicine to preclinical anti-cancer drug. [26] Identification of Withaferin A as a Potential Candidate for Anti-Cancer Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. [27] Withaferin A inhibits expression of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase and enhances sensitivity of human breast cancer cells to cisplatin. [28] Subcritical water extraction of withanosides and withanolides from ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L) and their biological activities. [29] Cytotoxic Withanolides from the Roots of Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera). [30] Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study. [31] Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis. [32] Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. [33] Safety assessment of Withania somnifera extract standardized for Withaferin A: Acute and sub-acute toxicity study.

Ashwagandha is an important herb used in the ancient Indian system of medicine known as Ayurveda to promote general health and well-being. In Ayurvedic practice, ashwagandha is classified as a Rasayana, which means an herb or preparation that rejuvenates, extends life, and promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health. Listen in to discover more about ashwagandha’s incredible health benefits in general and a special potent “superhero” form known as KSM-66 ashwagandha. What Does Ashwagandha Do? Ashwagandha’s superpower is that it is an adaptogen. Adaptogens are non-toxic therapies that normalize our bodily functions – both physical and mental – that are thrown out of balance when we are exposed to chronic, uncontrolled stress. They do so by correcting imbalances in the neuroendocrine and immune systems [2]. In short, adaptogens enhance our ability to cope with stress. There are more than 35 natural compounds in ashwagandha including alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins, and with anolides. These compounds have been shown to have anti-stress activity in multiple laboratory models of chronic stress and in some human studies as well [1-5]. Additionally, ashwagandha extracts as well as specific bioactive compounds present in this plant – primarily in the roots – have been shown to help: counter pain and joint swelling associated with arthritis • boost various components of the immune system • protect the brain and nervous system • slow down or even kill abnormal cells • enhance both male and female sexual desire and function What Is KSM-66 Ashwagandha? KSM-66 Ashwagandha is a high-concentration ashwagandha root extract manufactured and sold by Ixoreal Biomed, located in Hyderabad, India [6]. Ashwagandha KSM-66 is made solely from ashwagandha roots, which contain its main bioactive ingredients, without using any other parts that are considered to be less effective. A unique feature of KSM-66 ashwagandha is that it’s standardized to a withanolide content of at least 5 percent. Withanolides are a group of around 300 naturally occurring steroid compounds, some of which are naturally present in ashwagandha. One example is Withaferin A, an anti-inflammatory compound that has also been shown to stop tumors from growing their own blood vessels, slowing down their growth, and perhaps even shrinking them. Last but not least, KSM-66 ashwagandha is produced by a unique extraction process, based on the principles of “green chemistry,” without using alcohol or any synthetic solvents. Let’s take a closer look now at some of KSM-66 ashwagandha’s benefits for health. What Too Much Cortisol Does to the Body Any stressful event in our lives causes our adrenal glands to produce cortisol, a steroid hormone that acts to control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, lower inflammation levels, influence memory formation, and manage salt and water balance [7]. The more stressed we are and the longer we’re stressed, the more our adrenals respond by releasing cortisol into our bloodstream. Too much cortisol in the blood over a prolonged period of time can lead to: rapid weight gain high blood pressure osteoporosis muscle weakness mood swings anxiety, depression, or irritability increased thirst and frequency of urination [7] Ongoing high cortisol levels can also eventually cause a lack of sex drive in men. In women, periods typically become irregular, less frequent, or may even stop altogether (amenorrhea). How Can Ashwagandha Help Us Cope With Stress? To answer this question, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of KSM-66 ashwagandha (which, as mentioned above, is a high-concentration, full-spectrum ashwagandha root extract) in 64 adults [5]. After 60 days of treatment, the study authors observed a “substantial reduction” in four separate measures of stress in the study participants. KSM-66 ashwagandha also reduced levels of the hormone cortisol in the blood. By lowering cortisol, ashwagandha tones down the body’s response to stressful situations, in effect “calming us down.” No serious adverse events were reported [5] and the study researchers concluded that: “High-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual’s resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.” Similarly, in another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 60 stressed but otherwise healthy adults were randomly assigned to take either a placebo or an ashwagandha root extract once daily for 2 months [8]. At the end of the study, participants given ashwagandha showed a significant reduction in their stress, anxiety, and depression scores. Once again, ashwagandha consumption was associated with a greater reduction in the levels of cortisol in the blood, when compared with placebo [8]. The Connection Between Stress and Obesity Chronic stress has been associated with many illnesses, including obesity. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, ashwagandha consumption was seen to lead to significant reductions in emotional and uncontrolled food cravings while also lowering cortisol, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) in 52 subjects subjected to chronic stress [9]. Indeed, laboratory experiments in mice have shown that one of the main active ingredients in ashwagandha known as Withaferin A can protect against obesity caused by a high-fat diet by reducing inflammation in the liver, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance [10]. These and other findings make it clear that ashwagandha is a powerful tool in our battle against ongoing stress, likely by regulating various specific aspects of our hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This is an interactive neuroendocrine system that plays a key role in maintaining our body’s internal equilibrium, along with orchestrating our body’s response to stress. Ashwagandha Benefits for Joint Pain Ashwagandha is a key ingredient in many Ayurvedic formulations prescribed for joint-related conditions such as osteoarthritis. Indeed, many research studies show that ashwagandha and its bioactive ingredients help to manage and reduce inflammation levels. For instance, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial published in 1991, 42 patients with osteoarthritis were randomized to receive a formula containing ashwagandha, frankincense, turmeric, and zinc – or placebo – for three months [11]. Clinical efficacy was evaluated every 15 days in terms of severity of pain, morning stiffness, Ritchie articular index (a weighted score of tenderness and swelling in 53 joint groups, each scored on a 0-3 scale), joint score, disability score, and grip strength. Throughout the study, the herbal formula was seen to significantly reduce the severity of joint pain and disability. No significant adverse effects were reported. In another study, 86 patients with joint pain were given 5 grams of ashwagandha powder twice a day for three weeks with lukewarm water or milk [12]. Then these patients took another Ayurvedic preparation known as Sidh Makardhwaj – a formulation used in rheumatoid arthritis and neurological disorders – daily for the next four weeks. Treatment with ashwagandha and Sidh Makardhwaj for seven weeks led to significantly improved scores of joint swelling, tenderness, and pain, indicating that this combination treatment is likely to be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis. Indeed, in laboratory experiments, an ashwagandha root extract was seen to reduce inflammation in knee cartilage taken from chronic osteoarthritis patients [13]. Ashwagandha for Boosting Endurance, Muscle Strength, and Recovery Ashwagandha has long had the reputation of being able to enhance cardiovascular endurance and physical performance. As stated earlier, consuming this herb is said to impart the strength and stamina of a horse [1]. In a prospective, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled study, KSM-66 ashwagandha was shown to significantly boost cardiorespiratory endurance and improve self-reported quality of life (QOL) in 50 healthy male and female athletic adults [14]. In another randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, 57 young men with little previous experience in resistance training were randomized into treatment and placebo groups [15]. Participants in the treatment group consumed 300 mg of ashwagandha root extract twice daily, while those in the control group took starch placebos instead. Multiple measurements – including muscle strength, muscle size, body composition, testosterone levels, and muscle recovery – were made before the start of the study. Both groups then went through resistance training for 8 weeks and the measurements were repeated when they were done. Promisingly, the group of men taking ashwagandha root extract had significantly greater increases in muscle strength and arm muscle size relative to the placebo group. They also showed significantly less exercise-induced muscle damage, higher testosterone levels, and a greater reduction in body fat percentage. In other words, ashwagandha supplementation is associated with significant increases in muscle mass, strength, and recovery after exercise. In another randomized, double-blind strength and conditioning study known as the STAR trial, 500 mg of an extract of ashwagandha roots and leaves was consumed by recreationally active young men for 12 weeks [16]. Body composition, muscular strength, power, and endurance, cycling time trial, and blood chemistry were measured before and after the study. Consuming the ashwagandha extract was seen to improve upper and lower body strength and improve distribution of body mass in these men, once again without causing any serious adverse effects. Ashwagandha as an Immune System Enhancer Ashwagandha enhances immune function. In a small study, ashwagandha root extract was seen to activate multiple types of immune cells in the participants [17]. Similarly, a tea fortified with five herbs including ashwagandha was seen to activate so-called “natural killer” (NK) cells in not just one, but two independent double-blind intervention studies conducted in India on healthy volunteers [18]. NK cell activity is an important aspect of our body’s early immune response to infections. Interestingly, in other situations, ashwagandha extracts have also been shown to suppress specific components of the immune system. For example, one of the characteristic features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the continuous production of pro-inflammatory compounds known as cytokines in joint cavities, triggering inflammation and cartilage destruction. In laboratory experiments in rats, a root extract of ashwagandha was seen to suppress production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduce oxidative stress [19]. The Brain-Boosting Benefits of Ashwagandha Numerous laboratory studies show that ashwagandha – traditionally used in Ayurveda to boost intellect and memory – can slow, stop, and reverse damage to brain cells and may even help to reconstruct brain cell networks. For instance, ashwagandha extracts have been shown to promote nerve cell growth in culture [20]. Withanolide A, withanoside IV, and withanoside VI were identified as the bioactive compounds responsible. Ashwagandha extracts as well as specific bioactive compounds (e.g., withanolide A) have also been shown to protect nerve cells in culture against damage caused by various toxic agents [21]. Amazingly, the administration of withanoside IV for 21 days led to recovery in a rat model of spinal cord damage [20]. It is well known that toxic free radicals damage brain cells and contribute to both normal aging and aging-related health conditions. In a 2015 study, both ashwagandha extracts and a bioactive compound known as withanone were seen to protect nerve cells from oxidative damage [22]. Not surprisingly, ashwagandha has long been used in Ayurveda to enhance memory and improve mental faculties. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study, 50 adults suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) – who are considered to be at a greater risk of developing dementia later in life – were treated with either 300 mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha twice daily or placebo for 8 weeks [23]. After 8 weeks, the ashwagandha KSM-66 group showed significant improvements in both their immediate or short-term as well as general memory, relative to the placebo group. The ashwagandha group also showed significant improvements in executive function, sustained attention, and information-processing abilities. Can Ashwagandha Even Help Protect Against Abnormal Cell Growth? Ashwagandha and other species of Withania are well known in folk medicine traditions for their anti-cancer properties and their extracts have been shown to be toxic for multiple types of cancer cells in laboratory experiments [24]. They appear to act by slowing down or even stopping cancer cell growth by inducing programmed cell death or “apoptosis.” As stated earlier, Withaferin A, an anti-inflammatory withanolide, has been shown to act as an anti-angiogenic. In other words, it can help stop tumors from growing their own blood vessels, slowing down their growth, or perhaps even shrinking them. As reported in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology in August 2019, growing evidence suggests that Withaferin A is very effective against cancer [25]. For instance, low response rate and recurrence are common issues in lung cancer. Withaferin A has been shown to exhibit potent toxicity against several lung cancer cell lines in laboratory experiments. Not only that, the combination of Withaferin A and chemotherapeutic drugs were shown to have additive effects on lung cancer cell survival [26]. Withaferin A has also been shown to be toxic for breast cancer and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells in laboratory experiments [27,28]. Similarly, other bioactive compounds in ashwagandha have also been shown to be toxic for cancer cells in laboratory experiments [29]. KSM-66 Ashwagandha’s Impact on Libido and Infertility Ashwagandha root extract has been shown to enhance sexual desire and function in both men and women. For instance, ashwagandha has been described in Ayurvedic medicine as an aphrodisiac that can be used to treat male sexual dysfunction and infertility. In a pilot study conducted to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha in patients with a low sperm count (known as oligospermia), a total of 46 male patients were randomized either to treatment with KSM-66 Ashwagandha or placebo for 90 days [30]. At the end of the study, participants given KSM-66 ashwagandha showed a 167% increase in sperm count, a 53% increase in semen volume, and a 57% increase in sperm motility relative to baseline. In comparison, only minimal changes were seen in the placebo group. Further, a greater improvement in hormone levels was seen with KSM-66 ashwagandha. In other words, ashwagandha is likely to be very effective in treating oligospermia, which is a leading cause of male infertility. Similarly, a meta-analysis showed that ashwagandha significantly improved sperm concentration and sperm motility even in men with normal sperm parameters, without any adverse effects [31]. Ashwagandha has also been shown to enhance sexual function in women. At the Trupti Hospital and Santati Fertility Center located near Mumbai in India, 50 women were randomized to either ashwagandha treatment or placebo (300 mg twice daily) for 8 weeks [32]. In this study, ashwagandha supplementation was shown to lead to significantly higher scores in multiple markers of sexual desire and function. But Is Ashwagandha Safe? Ashwagandha root powder has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, and it is believed to be completely safe and free of any toxicity. Extracts of ashwagandha made using alcohol and water will likely contain higher doses of its natural ingredients, relative to raw powder. So far animal studies with such extracts have shown no evidence of toxicity, even at relatively high doses [33]. However, it is always advisable to take an herbal supplement only after consulting your healthcare provider, especially if you have any ongoing health conditions or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Organixx Turmeric 3D Contains KSM-66 Ashwagandha The Organixx Turmeric 3D formula has always contained ashwagandha extract. As part of our commitment to seeking out the cleanest and most effective supplement ingredients, we upgraded to KSM-66 Ashwagandha in 2019 – the most clinically studied ashwagandha on the market. KSM-66 is a full-spectrum extract produced using a unique proprietary extraction process, based on “Green Chemistry” principles, without using alcohol or any other chemical solvent.   Deeper Dive Resources [1] An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. [2] Scientific basis for the use of Indian ayurvedic medicinal plants in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders: ashwagandha. [3] Scientific Basis for the Therapeutic Use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): A Review. [4] Anti‐stress activity of sitoindosides VII and VIII, new acylsterylglucosides from Withania somnifera. [5] A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. [6] KSM-66 Ashwagandha Documentary [7] Society for Endocrinology: You and Your Hormones – Cortisol. [8] An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. [9] Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. [10] Withaferin A Protects Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance. [11] Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. [12] Efficacy & safety evaluation of Ayurvedic treatment (Ashwagandha powder & Sidh Makardhwaj) in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot prospective study. [13] The relationship between chondroprotective and antiinflammatory effects of Withania somnifera root and glucosamine sulphate on human osteoarthritic cartilage in vitro. [14] Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. [15] Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. [16] Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Withania somnifera on Strength Training Adaptations and Recovery: The STAR Trial. [17] In vivo effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract on the activation of lymphocytes. [18] In vivo enhancement of natural killer cell activity through tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs. [19] In vivo, Extract from Withania somnifera Root Ameliorates Arthritis via Regulation of Key Immune Mediators of Inflammation in Experimental Model of Arthritis. [20] Effects of Ashwagandha (roots of Withania somnifera) on neurodegenerative diseases. [21] Neuritic regeneration and synaptic reconstruction induced by withanolide A. [22] Combinations of Ashwagandha leaf extracts protect brain-derived cells against oxidative stress and induce differentiation. [23] Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions. [24] Medicinal Plants from Near East for Cancer Therapy. [25] Withaferin A: From ayurvedic folk medicine to preclinical anti-cancer drug. [26] Identification of Withaferin A as a Potential Candidate for Anti-Cancer Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. [27] Withaferin A inhibits expression of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase and enhances sensitivity of human breast cancer cells to cisplatin. [28] Subcritical water extraction of withanosides and withanolides from ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L) and their biological activities. [29] Cytotoxic Withanolides from the Roots of Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera). [30] Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study. [31] Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis. [32] Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. [33] Safety assessment of Withania somnifera extract standardized for Withaferin A: Acute and sub-acute toxicity study.

Worldwide, back pain is the single leading cause of disability, preventing many people from engaging in work as well as other everyday activities. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives. Emily Lark is one of those statistics, but she’s been able to get pain free, naturally. Tune in and find out how to ease YOUR back pain naturally! About Emily Emily Lark is a speaker, author, studio owner, and creator of the internationally bestselling program Back to Life.  After living most of her life with debilitating back pain, Emily created a method to naturally heal back pain that has now helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world.  Back to Life is so simple that anyone can do it from home in just minutes a day and it has quickly become the #1 healthy back DVD program in the world.   Back Pain Statistics Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year—that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives     Emily’s one thing that most people are doing wrong when it comes to chronic pain. “I think one of the key things that people are missing when it comes to chronic pain, I think the biggest thing that people are missing is the strength-building, too, because if we can strengthen the muscles to support our skeletal system, then they don’t start feeling that pain, the joints have more life to them.”   The worst back pain advice that many doctors are still giving. Most of us, when we injure ourselves, when we’re in pain, we think that what we need to do is just kind of rest. But now, we’re really starting to find that movement is actually the fastest route to healing in most cases.   Emily’s Top 3 Stretches to Stop Back Pain. Neck and shoulders Doorway stretch, where you go into a doorway with your elbows on the side like goalposts, you lean the chest forward, and you hold for just 30 seconds. Then, you can work your elbows up a little bit, you can work them down.  But you want to feel that stretch in the front of the chest.  I try to tell people to remember to do it just three times a day.  Get up for 30 seconds and stretch that out.  Your core (your abdominal muscles, specifically the ones in the lower abdomen region) All you do is sit up really tall, and then you just lift one knee up and pull the belly in. And you lower it down and lift the other one up.  That’s going to activate those lower abdominal muscles.  You can do a marching movement; you can lift and hold.  Your spine Try to move the spine in all six directions at least once a day. And so, that would be a forward bend, a back bend, side bend to the right, side bend to the left, and then a twist, and a twist.    Stretching Tips You want to ease into it, because if you try to push too hard into a stretch, your body actually gives the opposite reaction of tensing up the muscles. Start in a stretch where you feel that edge, but you’re not feeling any pain, you’re not feeling horrible amounts of tension. And then using the breath, breathing in and out through the nose, actually has a very calming effect on the nervous system and it actually, if you think of your breath kind of communicating directly with your muscles, that will help the muscles start to release.  Rather than pushing them into it, try to breathe into those muscles. You always want to hold a stretch for at least 30 seconds. That’s kind of like the magic timeframe, where if you hold for 30 seconds, that’s where you’re going to get the most bang for your buck.  Anything less than 30 seconds, they’ve shown you don’t actually really increase your flexibility.    Don’t Forget to Warm Up If you haven’t moved at all yet in the morning, absolutely, you can go into some gentle morning stretches, but don’t push the body if it’s the first thing you’re doing. If you’ve been moving around throughout your day, your body is kind of warmed up, and then you can go into it a little bit more.    What back pain is really telling us. “I think the worst thing that we can do is just try to medicate and numb the pain out. Because clearly, if we’re in pain, our body’s trying to tell us something.” ~Emily  People often think that it’s our strong muscles that are the ones that are the tight ones. It’s actually the opposite that’s true.  The weaker the muscles are, the tighter they get.    Simple daily tips to help with back pain like how to stand, sit and sleep. Stacking your posture When you’re standing, always try to stand with your feet lined up with your hip bones, with your toes straight forward. Standing with the feet straight forward, and then slightly lifting your arches, you’ll feel the ankles stop rolling together, and the knees stop knocking together.  From there, we kind of work our way up to the low belly. I always advise people, as much as we can remember, try to draw the low belly in.  We want the shoulders to draw back right over the hips rather than forward. Then, we want to draw the ears back right over the shoulders. And a great test for this, to see if you’re standing up as tall as you could be, is to go stand with your back against a wall and try to see if you can get your shoulder blades to touch the wall, the back of your head to touch the wall at the same time, and then here’s the kicker, see if you can get your low ribs to touch the wall at the same time.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   INSPIRED Library Articles on Back Pain https://organixx.com/?s=BACK+PAIN   Organixx – Clean Sourced Collagens https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/QDxYPYGKBx7qmdyvdnGm?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec8202e26bb740380841   Organixx – Turmeric 3D https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/OobbS9ROAoETfnAGmGDF?ch-tn-box=first-box&gl=5d8908c502e26b5f0c38083c   Emily’s Website https://www.emilylark.com/about-emily   Emily’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmilyLarkOfficial/   Back to Life Program https://www.healthybacksystem.com/organixx   Back Pain Statistics https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/What-is-Chiropractic/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics    

Worldwide, back pain is the single leading cause of disability, preventing many people from engaging in work as well as other everyday activities. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives. Emily Lark is one of those statistics, but she’s been able to get pain free, naturally. Tune in and find out how to ease YOUR back pain naturally! About Emily Emily Lark is a speaker, author, studio owner, and creator of the internationally bestselling program Back to Life.  After living most of her life with debilitating back pain, Emily created a method to naturally heal back pain that has now helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world.  Back to Life is so simple that anyone can do it from home in just minutes a day and it has quickly become the #1 healthy back DVD program in the world.   Back Pain Statistics Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year—that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives     Emily’s one thing that most people are doing wrong when it comes to chronic pain. “I think one of the key things that people are missing when it comes to chronic pain, I think the biggest thing that people are missing is the strength-building, too, because if we can strengthen the muscles to support our skeletal system, then they don’t start feeling that pain, the joints have more life to them.”   The worst back pain advice that many doctors are still giving. Most of us, when we injure ourselves, when we’re in pain, we think that what we need to do is just kind of rest. But now, we’re really starting to find that movement is actually the fastest route to healing in most cases.   Emily’s Top 3 Stretches to Stop Back Pain. Neck and shoulders Doorway stretch, where you go into a doorway with your elbows on the side like goalposts, you lean the chest forward, and you hold for just 30 seconds. Then, you can work your elbows up a little bit, you can work them down.  But you want to feel that stretch in the front of the chest.  I try to tell people to remember to do it just three times a day.  Get up for 30 seconds and stretch that out.  Your core (your abdominal muscles, specifically the ones in the lower abdomen region) All you do is sit up really tall, and then you just lift one knee up and pull the belly in. And you lower it down and lift the other one up.  That’s going to activate those lower abdominal muscles.  You can do a marching movement; you can lift and hold.  Your spine Try to move the spine in all six directions at least once a day. And so, that would be a forward bend, a back bend, side bend to the right, side bend to the left, and then a twist, and a twist.    Stretching Tips You want to ease into it, because if you try to push too hard into a stretch, your body actually gives the opposite reaction of tensing up the muscles. Start in a stretch where you feel that edge, but you’re not feeling any pain, you’re not feeling horrible amounts of tension. And then using the breath, breathing in and out through the nose, actually has a very calming effect on the nervous system and it actually, if you think of your breath kind of communicating directly with your muscles, that will help the muscles start to release.  Rather than pushing them into it, try to breathe into those muscles. You always want to hold a stretch for at least 30 seconds. That’s kind of like the magic timeframe, where if you hold for 30 seconds, that’s where you’re going to get the most bang for your buck.  Anything less than 30 seconds, they’ve shown you don’t actually really increase your flexibility.    Don’t Forget to Warm Up If you haven’t moved at all yet in the morning, absolutely, you can go into some gentle morning stretches, but don’t push the body if it’s the first thing you’re doing. If you’ve been moving around throughout your day, your body is kind of warmed up, and then you can go into it a little bit more.    What back pain is really telling us. “I think the worst thing that we can do is just try to medicate and numb the pain out. Because clearly, if we’re in pain, our body’s trying to tell us something.” ~Emily  People often think that it’s our strong muscles that are the ones that are the tight ones. It’s actually the opposite that’s true.  The weaker the muscles are, the tighter they get.    Simple daily tips to help with back pain like how to stand, sit and sleep. Stacking your posture When you’re standing, always try to stand with your feet lined up with your hip bones, with your toes straight forward. Standing with the feet straight forward, and then slightly lifting your arches, you’ll feel the ankles stop rolling together, and the knees stop knocking together.  From there, we kind of work our way up to the low belly. I always advise people, as much as we can remember, try to draw the low belly in.  We want the shoulders to draw back right over the hips rather than forward. Then, we want to draw the ears back right over the shoulders. And a great test for this, to see if you’re standing up as tall as you could be, is to go stand with your back against a wall and try to see if you can get your shoulder blades to touch the wall, the back of your head to touch the wall at the same time, and then here’s the kicker, see if you can get your low ribs to touch the wall at the same time.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   INSPIRED Library Articles on Back Pain https://organixx.com/?s=BACK+PAIN   Organixx – Clean Sourced Collagens https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/QDxYPYGKBx7qmdyvdnGm?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec8202e26bb740380841   Organixx – Turmeric 3D https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/OobbS9ROAoETfnAGmGDF?ch-tn-box=first-box&gl=5d8908c502e26b5f0c38083c   Emily’s Website https://www.emilylark.com/about-emily   Emily’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmilyLarkOfficial/   Back to Life Program https://www.healthybacksystem.com/organixx   Back Pain Statistics https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/What-is-Chiropractic/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics    

Angie Corogin is back this week to help us unlock the power of Mindfulness. Angie shares the difference between Formal and Informal Mindfulness, gives us practical exercises to use, and shares a story that will resonate deeply with all of us! Relaxation here you come…  Angie Corogin  Angie is a heartful yoga and mindfulness (MBSR) instructor, yoga studio owner, mindset coach, and certified integrative wellness consultant. She supports communities, corporations, and individuals to integrate functional wellness practices into their modern lives. Angie is committed to an earth-conscious lifestyle, from what she eats & drinks to all of the things that she consumes and is inspired to share this way of life with others. Angie has earned degrees in Environmental Education (B.S.) and Intervention Services (M.Ed).   Definition of Mindfulness  Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.” JKZ   It is holding our attention to whatever is rising. Being here.  HumanBEING not humanDOING. This can be hard at first, boring, restless, thinking we aren’t doing it right.    We sense the world through, hearing, tasting, touching, seeing.  That is our only way to know anything at all. Our senses inform our thoughts.  And this is our perception, from where we form opinions and then make decisions and hold positions.  Its a completely a personal experience but one that we can often collectively understand and benefit from sharing our experience with others.      Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).  The timelines of stress research and mindfulness research start to merge in 1979.  Jon Kabat-Zinn recruited chronically ill patients not responding well to traditional treatments to participate in his newly formed eight-week stress-reduction program, which we now call Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This program includes mindful meditation, mindful eating, walking, and mindful movement (aka gentle yoga).   Substantial research has mounted demonstrating how mindfulness-based interventions improve mental and physical health—comparably so to other psychological interventions  Our body is a partner to each moment. Here in the west, we spend a lot of time disconnecting from our body.  Body shaming, and in fact spending a whole lot of time up here, in the mind, thinking.   And so again, mindfulness - paying attention for the sake of paying attention. We can start to recognize our habitual patterns. Knowing our patterns can really change things.   You can do this practice long, short, in a car, while washing dishes, having a cup of tea, eating a meal, walking, in the shower. Mindfulness can be invited into each and every moment. It’s a practice, not a performance.  We just keep coming back to each moment.  Giving each moment incredible value, importance and attention.   Simple right, not so easy. A very important aspect of mindfulness is bringing an attitude of kindness to our own self. Right, what’s that?  Yes, being kind to ourselves is a thing.   S.T.O.P  The STOP acronym is one of the most well-known and cherished brief mindfulness practices to use during the day. It’s super simple:  S – Stop  T – Take a breath  O – Observe what’s going on  P – Proceed  This can be done any time during the day when you remember. You become aware of what’s going on around you or inside of you, you ground yourself with some conscious breaths, and then you proceed with more clarity and from a place of choice.  Here are three wonderful ways to practice STOP in more depth: The ABCs of STOP—or practicing STOP for Awareness, Beauty, and Compassion:  STOP — A: STOP for awareness  Using the STOP practice to become fully aware of the present moment: What is going on in the body? The mind? The emotional field? Or asking yourself: What is out of my awareness right now? It can be as simple as noticing your brain is foggy after being on a conference call for two hours (and that you need a stretch break) or that you have been thinking about the upcoming teacher meeting all morning. Simply stop and take a breath.  STOP — B: STOP for beauty  Pause for a moment and notice something beautiful in your surroundings. It can literally be to “stop and smell the roses.” Use all of your senses to find something and then take it in for a breath or two. If that feels too big of a stretch you can ask yourself: “Ok, I know this is a stressful moment right now, but if there was something beautiful about it, what would it be?” Maybe then we notice the flowers on the table, which blend into the background when we are busy. Or the beautiful braids of the woman in front of us in the (long!) check out line at the grocery store.  Compassion is a natural, caring response to suffering, big and small, in ourselves and in others.  STOP — C: STOP for compassion  In a moment of stress or pain, practice STOP to open your heart to kindness and compassion. Compassion is a natural, caring response to suffering, big and small, in ourselves and in others. Sometimes the tug of compassion calls us to stop, at other times we need to stop and really take something in, so we can open the doors of the heart and invite compassion in. Maybe we are a little impatient with our child complaining at length about something that happened at recess. Maybe the adult brain doesn’t see it as hurtful but stopping and truly listening might allow us to connect with the truth of her hurt and allow our heart to melt a little.    Breath Focus Practice  Take a moment and find something to let your eyes rest on.  Soften your gaze but looking. You might like to rest your hands….  And when it is comfortable begin to let your eye lids lower, any amount or all of the way closed. Feel yourself sitting, standing, know what you can about being right here.  Only this moment matters right now. What can be known?  Begin to look at the inside of the eyes.  Look with awareness. Look to know, to see what’s there.   Move your attention to your breath. You might even feel this ability to look inward at the breath. From any perspective that you can you know the breath. From the nose, the nostrils, the throat, the chest, or ribs moving or belly.  You might sense warmth and then cool as your breath enters and leaves.   And then gently open your eyes again. And continue to look with this awareness.       Deeper Dive Resources    Angie’s Website  http://www.angiecorogin.com/  Angie’s Newsletter  https://angiecorogin.com/mbsr-course    Angie’s MBSR Course – Next One Starting November 23, 2020  https://angie-corogin-wellness.thinkific.com/courses/mbsr-winter  Angie on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/movementality/  https://www.facebook.com/angiecorogin/    Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5679245/    A meta-analysis of Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) show that MBIs are effective in reducing acute symptoms of depression but not anxiety  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25865879/    The acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in improving psychological well-being for adults with advanced cancer: A systematic review  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29389483/    The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Depression, Cognition, and Immunity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Feasibility Study  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7429186/    What Works in Mindfulness Interventions for Medically Unexplained Symptoms? A Systematic Review  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7373253/    The ABCs of STOP: Three Short Mindful Breaks for Your Day  https://www.mindful.org/abcs-stop-three-short-mindful-breaks-day/    Organixx on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements    Organixx on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/    Subscribe to Empowering You Organically 
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Angie Corogin is back this week to help us unlock the power of Mindfulness. Angie shares the difference between Formal and Informal Mindfulness, gives us practical exercises to use, and shares a story that will resonate deeply with all of us! Relaxation here you come… Angie Corogin  Angie is a heartful yoga and mindfulness (MBSR) instructor, yoga studio owner, mindset coach, and certified integrative wellness consultant. She supports communities, corporations, and individuals to integrate functional wellness practices into their modern lives. Angie is committed to an earth-conscious lifestyle, from what she eats & drinks to all of the things that she consumes and is inspired to share this way of life with others. Angie has earned degrees in Environmental Education (B.S.) and Intervention Services (M.Ed).   Definition of Mindfulness  Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.” JKZ   It is holding our attention to whatever is rising. Being here.  HumanBEING not humanDOING. This can be hard at first, boring, restless, thinking we aren’t doing it right.    We sense the world through, hearing, tasting, touching, seeing.  That is our only way to know anything at all. Our senses inform our thoughts.  And this is our perception, from where we form opinions and then make decisions and hold positions.  Its a completely a personal experience but one that we can often collectively understand and benefit from sharing our experience with others.      Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).  The timelines of stress research and mindfulness research start to merge in 1979.  Jon Kabat-Zinn recruited chronically ill patients not responding well to traditional treatments to participate in his newly formed eight-week stress-reduction program, which we now call Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This program includes mindful meditation, mindful eating, walking, and mindful movement (aka gentle yoga).   Substantial research has mounted demonstrating how mindfulness-based interventions improve mental and physical health—comparably so to other psychological interventions  Our body is a partner to each moment. Here in the west, we spend a lot of time disconnecting from our body.  Body shaming, and in fact spending a whole lot of time up here, in the mind, thinking.   And so again, mindfulness - paying attention for the sake of paying attention. We can start to recognize our habitual patterns. Knowing our patterns can really change things.   You can do this practice long, short, in a car, while washing dishes, having a cup of tea, eating a meal, walking, in the shower. Mindfulness can be invited into each and every moment. It’s a practice, not a performance.  We just keep coming back to each moment.  Giving each moment incredible value, importance and attention.   Simple right, not so easy. A very important aspect of mindfulness is bringing an attitude of kindness to our own self. Right, what’s that?  Yes, being kind to ourselves is a thing.   S.T.O.P  The STOP acronym is one of the most well-known and cherished brief mindfulness practices to use during the day. It’s super simple:  S – Stop  T – Take a breath  O – Observe what’s going on  P – Proceed  This can be done any time during the day when you remember. You become aware of what’s going on around you or inside of you, you ground yourself with some conscious breaths, and then you proceed with more clarity and from a place of choice.  Here are three wonderful ways to practice STOP in more depth: The ABCs of STOP—or practicing STOP for Awareness, Beauty, and Compassion:  STOP — A: STOP for awareness  Using the STOP practice to become fully aware of the present moment: What is going on in the body? The mind? The emotional field? Or asking yourself: What is out of my awareness right now? It can be as simple as noticing your brain is foggy after being on a conference call for two hours (and that you need a stretch break) or that you have been thinking about the upcoming teacher meeting all morning. Simply stop and take a breath.  STOP — B: STOP for beauty  Pause for a moment and notice something beautiful in your surroundings. It can literally be to “stop and smell the roses.” Use all of your senses to find something and then take it in for a breath or two. If that feels too big of a stretch you can ask yourself: “Ok, I know this is a stressful moment right now, but if there was something beautiful about it, what would it be?” Maybe then we notice the flowers on the table, which blend into the background when we are busy. Or the beautiful braids of the woman in front of us in the (long!) check out line at the grocery store.  Compassion is a natural, caring response to suffering, big and small, in ourselves and in others.  STOP — C: STOP for compassion  In a moment of stress or pain, practice STOP to open your heart to kindness and compassion. Compassion is a natural, caring response to suffering, big and small, in ourselves and in others. Sometimes the tug of compassion calls us to stop, at other times we need to stop and really take something in, so we can open the doors of the heart and invite compassion in. Maybe we are a little impatient with our child complaining at length about something that happened at recess. Maybe the adult brain doesn’t see it as hurtful but stopping and truly listening might allow us to connect with the truth of her hurt and allow our heart to melt a little.    Breath Focus Practice  Take a moment and find something to let your eyes rest on.  Soften your gaze but looking. You might like to rest your hands….  And when it is comfortable begin to let your eye lids lower, any amount or all of the way closed. Feel yourself sitting, standing, know what you can about being right here.  Only this moment matters right now. What can be known?  Begin to look at the inside of the eyes.  Look with awareness. Look to know, to see what’s there.   Move your attention to your breath. You might even feel this ability to look inward at the breath. From any perspective that you can you know the breath. From the nose, the nostrils, the throat, the chest, or ribs moving or belly.  You might sense warmth and then cool as your breath enters and leaves.   And then gently open your eyes again. And continue to look with this awareness.       Deeper Dive Resources    Angie’s Website  http://www.angiecorogin.com/  Angie’s Newsletter  https://angiecorogin.com/mbsr-course    Angie’s MBSR Course – Next One Starting November 23, 2020  https://angie-corogin-wellness.thinkific.com/courses/mbsr-winter  Angie on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/movementality/  https://www.facebook.com/angiecorogin/    Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5679245/    A meta-analysis of Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) show that MBIs are effective in reducing acute symptoms of depression but not anxiety  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25865879/    The acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in improving psychological well-being for adults with advanced cancer: A systematic review  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29389483/    The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Depression, Cognition, and Immunity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Feasibility Study  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7429186/    What Works in Mindfulness Interventions for Medically Unexplained Symptoms? A Systematic Review  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7373253/    The ABCs of STOP: Three Short Mindful Breaks for Your Day  https://www.mindful.org/abcs-stop-three-short-mindful-breaks-day/    Organixx on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements    Organixx on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/    Subscribe to Empowering You Organically 
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Emotions we don't release get trapped in our bodies. Or as today's guest, Ruth Cummings, puts it "Our bodies are a trash can for all the emotions we didn't process". Tune in for Part 2 to learn how we can better manage the connection between emotions and disease.  Ruth Cummings  Ruth Cummings is the owner of Athletic Touch Therapeutic Massage, which she founded in 1995.      She has over 50,000 hours experience as a massage therapist working on all types of clients, ranging in age from infants to centenarians and everyone in-between.      Ruth has worked on professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, and UFC, as well as amateur athletes in college and elsewhere.     She specializes in chronic pain relief and injury rehabilitation, but her real passion is the treatment of emotional pain in teens and their parents.      Ruth has a BA in psychology and creative writing, is a natural therapeutic specialist, as well as a personal trainer.     She coaches soccer and tennis, and her coaching achievements include two high school state championships in soccer and one in tennis.      She is an effective communicator with teens, and offers personal coaching in positivity, anxiety control, and self-esteem.  Ruth is married with two teens and her family loves to travel.  Check out her blog or massage website.     Summary: What is Emotional Pain  - https://familyfitnesstravel.com/what-is-emotional-pain/  We feel physical pain after emotional intense situations in our lives that manifest into the physical pain we feel.  Our bodies hide painful, scary and stressful feelings to keep us safe and alive. The difference between emotional pain and non-emotional pain, is how chronic and stubborn it is.  Most of the time we are not even aware that we are stuffing emotions at the time of the intense situation, which makes it difficult to let things go that we didn’t even know we were holding onto.  We can hold emotions from our younger years all the way to a few minutes ago, and each can cause odd pain in our bodies that are logically hard to explain.  The mind and the body don’t always see eye to eye which makes unraveling these emotional pains challenging. Once we can get the mind and body to recognize the pain pattern in which they are spinning, the healing is much easier.  Awareness is the main ingredient in starting the healing process, then breath work, journaling, seeing a counselor are a few Self-Care suggestions to implement to start feeling better.    Heart Chakra    Location: The center of your chest, just above the heart.  Color: Green  Meaning: Love, Compassion    Blocks in our heart chakra can manifest in our physical health through heart problems, asthma, and weight issues. But blocks are often seen even more clearly through people’s actions.  People with heart chakra blocks often put others first, to their own detriment. It’s the middle of the seven chakras, so it bridges the gap between our upper and lower chakras, and it also represents our ability to love and connect to others. When out of alignment, it can make us feel lonely, insecure, and isolated.     Throat Chakra    Location: The throat.  Color: Blue  Meaning: Love, Communication    As one would expect, this chakra is connected to our ability to communicate verbally. Voice and throat problems as well as any problems with everything surrounding that area, such as the teeth, gums, and mouth, can indicate a blockage. Blocks or misalignment can also be seen through dominating conversations, gossiping, speaking without thinking, and having trouble speaking your mind. When in alignment, you will speak and listen with compassion and feel confident when you speak because you know you are being true to yourself with your words.    Deeper Dive Resources  Ruth’s ALL Humans Welcome Prayer Chain  https://familyfitnesstravel.ck.page/38470dc383    Ruth’s "In Touch with Kindness" weekly email with health, self-care and fun happy tips.   https://familyfitnesstravel.ck.page    Ruth’s Blog – Family Fitness Travel  https://familyfitnesstravel.com/about/    Ruth’s Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Family-Fitness-Travel-101244591542431/    Ruth’s massage website:   www.athletictouch.com    Ruth’s Play & Self Care website:  www.familyfitnesstravel.com    Ruth’s FREE Newsletter with Weekly Tips:  https://familyfitnesstravel.ck.page    Links From Ruth:  19 Ideas to Release Stress & Emotions From Your Body  What is Emotional Pain?  Self-Care Basics: A Beginner's Guide  Dr. Lad's Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)  Root Chakra Healing Sound (one of my favorites...there are many)  Sacral Chakra Healing Sound  Heart Chakra Sounds:  https://youtu.be/qxLoVPZvtTY    Throat Chakra Sounds:  https://youtu.be/QJs4iCV-g6I    The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer  https://untetheredsoul.com/    Thich Nhat Hahn Foundation  https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/  Live It Challenge  https://organixx.com/live-it    Organixx on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements    Organixx on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/     

Emotions we don't release get trapped in our bodies. Or as today's guest, Ruth Cummings, puts it "Our bodies are a trash can for all the emotions we didn't process". Tune in for Part 2 to learn how we can better manage the connection between emotions and disease.  Ruth Cummings  Ruth Cummings is the owner of Athletic Touch Therapeutic Massage, which she founded in 1995.    She has over 50,000 hours experience as a massage therapist working on all types of clients, ranging in age from infants to centenarians and everyone in-between.    Ruth has worked on professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, and UFC, as well as amateur athletes in college and elsewhere.   She specializes in chronic pain relief and injury rehabilitation, but her real passion is the treatment of emotional pain in teens and their parents.    Ruth has a BA in psychology and creative writing, is a natural therapeutic specialist, as well as a personal trainer.   She coaches soccer and tennis, and her coaching achievements include two high school state championships in soccer and one in tennis.    She is an effective communicator with teens, and offers personal coaching in positivity, anxiety control, and self-esteem.  Ruth is married with two teens and her family loves to travel.  Check out her blog or massage website.   Summary: What is Emotional Pain  - https://familyfitnesstravel.com/what-is-emotional-pain/  We feel physical pain after emotional intense situations in our lives that manifest into the physical pain we feel.  Our bodies hide painful, scary and stressful feelings to keep us safe and alive. The difference between emotional pain and non-emotional pain, is how chronic and stubborn it is.  Most of the time we are not even aware that we are stuffing emotions at the time of the intense situation, which makes it difficult to let things go that we didn’t even know we were holding onto.  We can hold emotions from our younger years all the way to a few minutes ago, and each can cause odd pain in our bodies that are logically hard to explain.  The mind and the body don’t always see eye to eye which makes unraveling these emotional pains challenging. Once we can get the mind and body to recognize the pain pattern in which they are spinning, the healing is much easier.  Awareness is the main ingredient in starting the healing process, then breath work, journaling, seeing a counselor are a few Self-Care suggestions to implement to start feeling better.    Heart Chakra  Location: The center of your chest, just above the heart.  Color: Green  Meaning: Love, Compassion  Blocks in our heart chakra can manifest in our physical health through heart problems, asthma, and weight issues. But blocks are often seen even more clearly through people’s actions.  People with heart chakra blocks often put others first, to their own detriment. It’s the middle of the seven chakras, so it bridges the gap between our upper and lower chakras, and it also represents our ability to love and connect to others. When out of alignment, it can make us feel lonely, insecure, and isolated.     Throat Chakra  Location: The throat.  Color: Blue  Meaning: Love, Communication  As one would expect, this chakra is connected to our ability to communicate verbally. Voice and throat problems as well as any problems with everything surrounding that area, such as the teeth, gums, and mouth, can indicate a blockage. Blocks or misalignment can also be seen through dominating conversations, gossiping, speaking without thinking, and having trouble speaking your mind. When in alignment, you will speak and listen with compassion and feel confident when you speak because you know you are being true to yourself with your words.    Deeper Dive Resources  Ruth’s ALL Humans Welcome Prayer Chain  https://familyfitnesstravel.ck.page/38470dc383    Ruth’s "In Touch with Kindness" weekly email with health, self-care and fun happy tips.   https://familyfitnesstravel.ck.page    Ruth’s Blog – Family Fitness Travel  https://familyfitnesstravel.com/about/    Ruth’s Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/Family-Fitness-Travel-101244591542431/    Ruth’s massage website:   www.athletictouch.com    Ruth’s Play & Self Care website:  www.familyfitnesstravel.com    Ruth’s FREE Newsletter with Weekly Tips:  https://familyfitnesstravel.ck.page    Links From Ruth:  19 Ideas to Release Stress & Emotions From Your Body  What is Emotional Pain?  Self-Care Basics: A Beginner's Guide  Dr. Lad's Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)  Root Chakra Healing Sound (one of my favorites...there are many)  Sacral Chakra Healing Sound  Heart Chakra Sounds:  https://youtu.be/qxLoVPZvtTY    Throat Chakra Sounds:  https://youtu.be/QJs4iCV-g6I    The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer  https://untetheredsoul.com/    Thich Nhat Hahn Foundation  https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/  Live It Challenge  https://organixx.com/live-it    Organixx on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements    Organixx on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/     

The sacred plant has been used for 5,000+ years to prevent, treat, and even beat hundreds of debilitating conditions and diseases. Up until 80 years ago, the sacred plant was readily available and used for countless ailments and chronic pain. But then, during the rise of the modern medical system, the sacred plant was unjustly suppressed by lawmakers who feared its healing powers, and sought to eliminate it so it could sell patented synthetic drugs for profit. It’s been hidden and forbidden ever since. Lia Hawks The Sacred Plant is a mission centered company started in April 2017. Since their beginning, their team has been dedicated to understanding, helping, and empowering patients, loved ones, caregivers, and more. Helping to ignite the conversation around knowing there are powerful, natural, safe options for them to live a healthy, happy, and pain-free life. Lia Hawks is a founding team member, holding the role of Director of Content. What is most important to note is the work she has done alongside the experts, patients, physicians, researchers, lawyers, nurses, advocates, and more to get an essential understanding of just how The Sacred Plant can make a difference in the lives of so many who once had lost hope.   What is The Sacred Plant? Cannabis The sacred plant has been used for 5,000+ years to prevent, treat, and even beat hundreds of debilitating conditions and diseases. Up until 80 years ago, the sacred plant was readily available and used for countless ailments and chronic pain. But then, during the rise of the modern medical system, the sacred plant was unjustly suppressed by lawmakers who feared its healing powers, and sought to eliminate it so it could sell patented synthetic drugs for profit. It’s been hidden and forbidden ever since.   CBD & THC The two most found cannabinoids in the plant out of over 100+ others.   CBD is known for: Anti-inflammation Anti-Anxiety Energy Boosting Stabilizes Cancer Bone density and formation Various others…   THC is known for: Kills cancer cells indirectly through apoptosis restart Pain reliever Muscle Spasm Depression Body relaxation   Ratios 3 parts CBD to 1 part THC will remove the psycho active feeling of the THC. Whereas, a 20:1 CBD:THC would negate all benefit of THC that your body could benefit from.   What is the Endocannabinoid System? Our body has the ability to heal itself, however when our immune system is compromised, that ability to heal is turned off.   Through our Endocannabinoid System we can optimize our body’s response. Kick starting healing, repair, and feeling well!   The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers exploring THC, a well-known cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis. Endocannabinoids, also called endogenous cannabinoids, are molecules made by your body. They’re similar to cannabinoids, but they’re produced by your body. Experts have identified two key endocannabinoids so far: anandamide (AEA) 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG) These help keep internal functions running smoothly. Your body produces them as needed, making it difficult to know what typical levels are for each. Endocannabinoid Receptors These receptors are found throughout your body. Endocannabinoids bind to them in order to signal that the ECS needs to take action. There are two main endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the central nervous system CB2 receptors, which are mostly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to. For example, endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve pain. Others might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells to signal that your body’s experiencing inflammation, a common sign of autoimmune disorders.   Deeper Dive Resources   FREE Report from The Scared Plant – 5 Ways CBD Helps Prevent & Treat Cancer http://TheSacredPlant.com/EYO The Sacred Plant on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oursacredplant/   Getting High on the Endocannabinoid System https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997295/   The Therapeutic Aspects of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) for Cancer and their Development: From Nature to Laboratory https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5412000/   How the Endocannabinoid System was Discovered https://www.labroots.com/trending/cannabis-sciences/8456/endocannabinoid-system-discovered   Organixx on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements   Organixx on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/    

The sacred plant has been used for 5,000+ years to prevent, treat, and even beat hundreds of debilitating conditions and diseases. Up until 80 years ago, the sacred plant was readily available and used for countless ailments and chronic pain. But then, during the rise of the modern medical system, the sacred plant was unjustly suppressed by lawmakers who feared its healing powers, and sought to eliminate it so it could sell patented synthetic drugs for profit. It’s been hidden and forbidden ever since. Lia Hawks The Sacred Plant is a mission centered company started in April 2017. Since their beginning, their team has been dedicated to understanding, helping, and empowering patients, loved ones, caregivers, and more. Helping to ignite the conversation around knowing there are powerful, natural, safe options for them to live a healthy, happy, and pain-free life. Lia Hawks is a founding team member, holding the role of Director of Content. What is most important to note is the work she has done alongside the experts, patients, physicians, researchers, lawyers, nurses, advocates, and more to get an essential understanding of just how The Sacred Plant can make a difference in the lives of so many who once had lost hope.   What is The Sacred Plant? Cannabis The sacred plant has been used for 5,000+ years to prevent, treat, and even beat hundreds of debilitating conditions and diseases. Up until 80 years ago, the sacred plant was readily available and used for countless ailments and chronic pain. But then, during the rise of the modern medical system, the sacred plant was unjustly suppressed by lawmakers who feared its healing powers, and sought to eliminate it so it could sell patented synthetic drugs for profit. It’s been hidden and forbidden ever since.   CBD & THC The two most found cannabinoids in the plant out of over 100+ others.   CBD is known for: Anti-inflammation Anti-Anxiety Energy Boosting Stabilizes Cancer Bone density and formation Various others…   THC is known for: Kills cancer cells indirectly through apoptosis restart Pain reliever Muscle Spasm Depression Body relaxation   Ratios 3 parts CBD to 1 part THC will remove the psycho active feeling of the THC. Whereas, a 20:1 CBD:THC would negate all benefit of THC that your body could benefit from.   What is the Endocannabinoid System? Our body has the ability to heal itself, however when our immune system is compromised, that ability to heal is turned off.   Through our Endocannabinoid System we can optimize our body’s response. Kick starting healing, repair, and feeling well!   The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex cell-signaling system identified in the early 1990s by researchers exploring THC, a well-known cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis. Endocannabinoids, also called endogenous cannabinoids, are molecules made by your body. They’re similar to cannabinoids, but they’re produced by your body. Experts have identified two key endocannabinoids so far: anandamide (AEA) 2-arachidonoylglyerol (2-AG) These help keep internal functions running smoothly. Your body produces them as needed, making it difficult to know what typical levels are for each. Endocannabinoid Receptors These receptors are found throughout your body. Endocannabinoids bind to them in order to signal that the ECS needs to take action. There are two main endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors, which are mostly found in the central nervous system CB2 receptors, which are mostly found in your peripheral nervous system, especially immune cells Endocannabinoids can bind to either receptor. The effects that result depend on where the receptor is located and which endocannabinoid it binds to. For example, endocannabinoids might target CB1 receptors in a spinal nerve to relieve pain. Others might bind to a CB2 receptor in your immune cells to signal that your body’s experiencing inflammation, a common sign of autoimmune disorders.   Deeper Dive Resources   FREE Report from The Scared Plant – 5 Ways CBD Helps Prevent & Treat Cancer http://TheSacredPlant.com/EYO The Sacred Plant on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oursacredplant/   Getting High on the Endocannabinoid System https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997295/   The Therapeutic Aspects of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) for Cancer and their Development: From Nature to Laboratory https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5412000/   How the Endocannabinoid System was Discovered https://www.labroots.com/trending/cannabis-sciences/8456/endocannabinoid-system-discovered   Organixx on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements   Organixx on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/  

The Live It Challenge continues with Angie Corogin. 2020 has been a stressful year for the world. Today is all about stress and mindfulness. Angie shares how the practice of mindfulness may help you meet challenge and stress differently. And you will enjoy the exercises Angie walks us through as she explains. Relaxation here you come… Angie Corogin Angie is a heartful yoga and mindfulness (MBSR) instructor, yoga studio owner, mindset coach, and certified integrative wellness consultant. She supports communities, corporations, and individuals to integrate functional wellness practices into their modern lives. Angie is committed to an earth-conscious lifestyle, from what she eats & drinks to all of the things that she consumes and is inspired to share this way of life with others. Angie has earned degrees in Environmental Education (B.S.) and Intervention Services (M.Ed).    Mindfulness Today is all about stress and mindfulness. I would like to share how the practice of mindfulness may help you meet challenge and stress differently.   These practices are easy, nothing you haven’t done before, however, this is not so simple.  Let’s start with a practice, I invite you to minimize all of the extra windows on your devices or life, begin to gather yourself here.  Totally here. Calling yourself back from all of the places that you are.   Short Attentional Focus Practice 5-Sense Pause (look around, hands/feet, soundscape, soften the mouth/jaw, breath) Rub hands, eyes / tap forehead, temples, cheeks, chin, chest Brush off arms and shoulders SH massage / GB 21 (neck, shoulder, headaches, too much thinking)   Standing Yoga              Mountain/ arms up & down             Edges of feet, ankle rocks              Knees             Hips             Swing arms/chair             Sunflowers             Mountain             Sit/ Thymus thumps             We took that time to practice because we can use all of these words to point at what mindfulness is. We can quote studies, articles, and interview experts too, but we really can only know mindfulness through the direct experience of the practice, our own practice of paying attention. And now, I am going to attempt to use words to describe stress and mindfulness, which are both, felt and known by each of us… and known by us differently.  We all describe stress and mindfulness a little different.  Definition of Stress  I’d wage that humans have been feeling stress since day 1. This look at stress with the lens of science is relatively new. Researchers have had a difficult time agreeing on an acceptable definition of stress. Some have conceptualized stress as a demanding or threatening happening or situation (e.g., a high-stress job, overcrowding, and long commutes to work). Such conceptualizations are known as stimulus-based definitions because they characterize stress as a stimulus that causes certain reactions. But stress is more than that. Stress is something that we each feel. Stress is the state which is seen in response to internal or external stressors. And here is what I think, its difficult to define something that is so…so individually experienced. Every system of the body responds to stress in varying ways. Sweating, quickened breath, fast heartbeat or skipping beats, holding our breath, blinking a lot, it can manifest in as many ways different as we are different from one another.  Stress enlists changes affecting almost every system of the body, influencing how people feel and behave.  History of Stress I want to zoom back in time a bit and keeping this brief, but I want to go back to something I said.  The “formal” study of stress is relatively new so lets have a quick chat about that.  In the 30’s Walter Cannon coined flight or flight. He was studying dogs swallowing buttons, and the swallowing mechanism.  He discovered emotions impacted this somehow. He found fight and flight. Fight I can meet this challenge. Flight I can flee this challenge. Around the same time Hans Seyle was exploring the concept of general adaptation syndrome, a study on stress, any kind - mind, body, emotions. When we encounter stress, especially when its prolonged our body biology changes. It 1984 Stress researchers Lazarus and Folkman at Berkeley expanded and proposed a way to look at stress differently. Their transactional theory of stress considered stress as a transaction between a person and their environment that is appraised as taxing or exceeding resources and endangering their well-being.  So, this theory introduces the idea that our perception of the stressor could be the source of stress. Stress is transactional.  Let me break it down. We have some awareness we can bring to assess our ability to meet our stress. Ex. I’m making a new meal for dinner and am excited to share it with my husband, he was supposed to be home at 6, and rolls in at 630… I’m frustrated and disappointed and trying to figure out how to enjoy the cold meal.  It’s the next day, dinner is at 6, I’m busy at work, I have NO idea what to make and need extra time.  He gets home at 6:30 and I’m relieved. Same situation, my appraisal of it is different.  OK, so what can we do with all of that.  Stress has been defined in lots of ways; we know it in our own way.  A powerful, a potent antidote to stress… is mindfulness.  Definition of Mindfulness Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.” JKZ  It is holding our attention to whatever is rising. Being here.  HumanBEING not humanDOING. This can be hard at first, boring, restless, thinking we aren’t doing it right.   We sense the world through, hearing, tasting, touching, seeing.  That is our only way to know anything at all. Our senses inform our thoughts.  And this is our perception, from where we form opinions and then make decisions and hold positions.  Its a completely a personal experience but one that we can often collectively understand and benefit from sharing our experience with others.   Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).The timelines of stress research and mindfulness research start to merge in 1979.  Jon Kabat-Zinn recruited chronically ill patients not responding well to traditional treatments to participate in his newly formed eight-week stress-reduction program, which we now call Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). This program includes mindful meditation, mindful eating, walking, and mindful movement (aka gentle yoga).  Substantial research has mounted demonstrating how mindfulness-based interventions improve mental and physical health—comparably so to other psychological interventions Our body is a partner to each moment. Here in the west, we spend a lot of time disconnecting from our body.  Body shaming, and in fact spending a whole lot of time up here, in the mind, thinking.  And so again, mindfulness - paying attention for the sake of paying attention. We can start to recognize our habitual patterns. Knowing our patterns can really change things.  You can do this practice long, short, in a car, while washing dishes, having a cup of tea, eating a meal, walking, in the shower. Mindfulness can be invited into each and every moment. It’s a practice, not a performance.  We just keep coming back to each moment.  Giving each moment incredible value, importance and attention.  Simple right, not so easy. A very important aspect of mindfulness is bringing an attitude of kindness to our own self. Right, what’s that?  Yes, being kind to ourselves is a thing.  Visualizing Resistance Make a fist. This is resistance. Resistance in your body, mind and soul. Try to pry it open. Come on, pry it open. What do you notice when you pry and push? Now use the other hand to support and be kind. Now what do you notice? Powerful because we can feel it. You can use this in your practice because you can actually do this. Stress is a sense of threat. Things happening that I don’t want to happen. OR wanting a particular thing to happen that is not. So, what is this hand, what is support to your stress…. A deep breath. Counting to three. Looking around, find a few green or blue things. Feel your feet, hand. Sense into the sounds around you.  Take a deeper breath.  Breathing is a huge tool for many of us that we underutilize.  Parts of Brain Our stress response is hard-wired, automatic, habitual. When we experience a threat, the automatic sympathetic nervous system goes into high gear (with signals from the brain stem and limbic system).  Different parts of the brain are responsible for initiating this automatic reaction: This here is the brain stem and is the earliest part of the brain to form was what many refer to as our reptilian or lizard brain (brain stem). This is the survival part of our brain. Responsible for basic survival—keeps our hearts beating, keeps us breathing. Lizards that weren’t vigilant enough ended up getting eaten, which is why this part of the brain is hardwired to feel a constant, vigilant anxiety. Next part of the brain to evolve was the mammal or mouse brain (limbic system – amygdala, hippocampus) regulates our emotions and desires. Its main job is to move us toward the things that maintain life. The amygdala is the smoke alarm, detecting stress.  The most recent part of our brain to evolve is the primate or monkey brain (cortex) handles the higher cerebral functions—thinking critically, problem solving, planning, making mental maps of our world, and connecting with others. In essence, our online brain. Monkeys that weren’t able to connect with other monkeys did not survive. When encountering stress or a challenge that we appraise outside of our ability to meet. Thinking goes out the window and our prefrontal cortex goes offline.  We are operating from the lizard and mouse like part of our brain.  Fortunately, most of the time we do not find ourselves encountering life-threatening situations. Unfortunately, physiologic responses to non-immediate stresses are largely the same as when you’re fighting for survival. Our body doesn’t know the difference. But we can tell it!  We’re still prone to go into fight or flight when our sense of control is threatened, even if we’re just driving on the freeway or we receive harsh feedback from coworkers. Our brain still perceives events in terms of mortal threats to our well-being and sense of self, even when there is none. THIS IS AUTOMATIC, HARD-WIRED, HABITUAL REACTION FINE-TUNED FOR SURVIVAL. SO, what can you do?   If it’s a non-life-threatening moment, we can one - breathe.  Take a few breaths.  Let your prefrontal cortex come back online.  You might want to sit or lay down, lower your eyes, take a slow walk.  Most of all, we can get to know how stress feels as it begins in our body. We can also develop wisdom in how to support ourself in the heat of the moment. In the senses, we can often find a way back to homeostasis.  “We can’t stop the wild and painful catastrophes of life, but we can learn to cope.” JKZ or as Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk and revered teacher says, "Without the mud, you cannot grow the lotus flower." Breath Focus Practice Take a moment and find something to let your eyes rest on.  Soften your gaze but looking. You might like to rest your hands….  And when it is comfortable begin to let your eye lids lower, any amount or all of the way closed. Feel yourself sitting, standing, know what you can about being right here.  Only this moment matters right now. What can be known?  Begin to look at the inside of the eyes.  Look with awareness. Look to know, to see what’s there.  Move your attention to your breath. You might even feel this ability to look inward at the breath. From any perspective that you can you know the breath. From the nose, the nostrils, the throat, the chest, or ribs moving or belly.  You might sense warmth and then cool as your breath enters and leaves.  And then gently open your eyes again. And continue to look with this awareness.      Deeper Dive Resources   Angie’s Website http://www.angiecorogin.com/ Angie’s Newsletter https://angiecorogin.com/mbsr-course   Angie’s MBSR Course https://angie-corogin-wellness.thinkific.com/courses/mbsr-winter Angie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/movementality/ https://www.facebook.com/angiecorogin/   Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5679245/   A meta-analysis of Mindfulness Based Interventions (MBIs) show that MBIs are effective in reducing acute symptoms of depression but not anxiety https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25865879/   The acceptability and potential benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in improving psychological well-being for adults with advanced cancer: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29389483/   The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Depression, Cognition, and Immunity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Feasibility Study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7429186/   What Works in Mindfulness Interventions for Medically Unexplained Symptoms? A Systematic Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7373253/   Organixx on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements   Organixx on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/    

Empowering You Organically - Season 12 - Episode 106  Title: Building Healthy Habits With The Live It Challenge  Hosts: Jonathan Hunsaker & TeriAnn Trevenen  Description:  Unlike a diet, Organixx Live It implies positive action.  A diet is restrictive; it requires a person to limit the things that they eat or drink in order to be successful. Organixx Live It is the opposite. It is unlimited and inspiring. Organixx Live It is a path to wellness that allows you to take action, participate in activities that bolster your health, improve your overall wellness, and inspire your continued journey to a long-term healthy lifestyle.       * * *  FEATURED CHALLENGE          Are you ready for the Organixx LIVE IT challenge?      Real quick, did you know that here at Organixx, we live by 5 core values?      Passionate about our Mission, Empowering You Organically   Rigorously Honest and Trustworthy   Team Players with Extreme Ownership   Respectful Communication with a Balanced Ego   Resourceful and Creative Growth         Our first Organixx Core Value is, we are Passionate about our Mission, Empowering YOU Organically. This doesn’t just apply to our customers, but to our team as well. We’ve just finished the second round of our Organixx LIVE IT challenge internally with just our team, and now we’re inviting you and the rest of the world, to join us for round three... for free.      What is the Organixx LIVE IT challenge?  Unlike a diet, Organixx Live It implies positive action.  A diet is restrictive; it requires a person to limit the things that they eat or drink in order to be successful. Organixx Live It is the opposite. It is unlimited and inspiring. Organixx Live It is a path to wellness that allows you to take action, participate in activities that bolster your health, improve your overall wellness, and inspire your continued journey to a long-term healthy lifestyle.   During our Live It activities, we will be challenging ourselves to improve our health and well-being and we will have a little fun at the same time, with chances to win some amazing prizes.      Deeper Dive Resources  Live It Challenge  https://organixx.com/live-it    Organixx on FaceBook  https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements    Organixx on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/     

Empowering You Organically - Season 12 - Episode 106  Title: Building Healthy Habits With The Live It Challenge  Hosts: Jonathan Hunsaker & TeriAnn Trevenen  Description:  Unlike a diet, Organixx Live It implies positive action.  A diet is restrictive; it requires a person to limit the things that they eat or drink in order to be successful. Organixx Live It is the opposite. It is unlimited and inspiring. Organixx Live It is a path to wellness that allows you to take action, participate in activities that bolster your health, improve your overall wellness, and inspire your continued journey to a long-term healthy lifestyle.       * * *  FEATURED CHALLENGE          Are you ready for the Organixx LIVE IT challenge?      Real quick, did you know that here at Organixx, we live by 5 core values?      Passionate about our Mission, Empowering You Organically   Rigorously Honest and Trustworthy   Team Players with Extreme Ownership   Respectful Communication with a Balanced Ego   Resourceful and Creative Growth         Our first Organixx Core Value is, we are Passionate about our Mission, Empowering YOU Organically. This doesn’t just apply to our customers, but to our team as well. We’ve just finished the second round of our Organixx LIVE IT challenge internally with just our team, and now we’re inviting you and the rest of the world, to join us for round three... for free.         What is the Organixx LIVE IT challenge?      Unlike a diet, Organixx Live It implies positive action.  A diet is restrictive; it requires a person to limit the things that they eat or drink in order to be successful. Organixx Live It is the opposite. It is unlimited and inspiring. Organixx Live It is a path to wellness that allows you to take action, participate in activities that bolster your health, improve your overall wellness, and inspire your continued journey to a long-term healthy lifestyle.       During our Live It activities, we will be challenging ourselves to improve our health and well-being and we will have a little fun at the same time, with chances to win some amazing prizes.           Deeper Dive Resources    Live It Challenge  https://organixx.com/live-it    Organixx on FaceBook  https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements    Organixx on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/     

Our first Organixx Core Value is: We Are Passionate About Our Mission, Empowering YOU Organically. This doesn’t just apply to our customers, but to our team as well. We’ve just finished the second round of our Organixx LIVE IT Challenge internally with just our team and now we’re inviting you, and the rest of the world, to join us for round three... for free. Are you ready for the Organixx LIVE IT challenge?  Real quick, did you know that here at Organixx, we live by 5 core values?  Passionate about our Mission, Empowering You Organically Rigorously Honest and Trustworthy Team Players with Extreme Ownership Respectful Communication with a Balanced Ego Resourceful and Creative Growth   Our first Organixx Core Value is, we are Passionate about our Mission, Empowering YOU Organically. This doesn’t just apply to our customers, but to our team as well. We’ve just finished the second round of our Organixx LIVE IT challenge internally with just our team, and now we’re inviting you and the rest of the world, to join us for round three... for free.  What is the Organixx LIVE IT challenge?  Unlike a diet, Organixx Live It implies positive action.  A diet is restrictive; it requires a person to limit the things that they eat or drink in order to be successful. Organixx Live It is the opposite. It is unlimited and inspiring. Organixx Live It is a path to wellness that allows you to take action, participate in activities that bolster your health, improve your overall wellness, and inspire your continued journey to a long-term healthy lifestyle.  During our Live It activities, we will be challenging ourselves to improve our health and well-being and we will have a little fun at the same time, with chances to win some amazing prizes.     Deeper Dive Resources   Live It Challenge https://organixx.com/live-it   Organixx on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/OrganixxSupplements   Organixx on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/organixxliving/

Fascinating topic today for you! Tune in to learn what Vitamin C does for your skin, why your body can’t make it, how it affects collagen production, the difference between dietary and topical Vitamin C, and last but not least…. the big reasons you really want to use a restorative product like a Vitamin C serum. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones. This wisdom can be applied to the natural health choices we make every day too. One of nature’s simplest substances is vitamin C. What this common nutrient can do for your skin health and radiance (especially when it’s applied topically in the form of vitamin C serum) is simply amazing! Read on to discover the benefits of vitamin C for skin.     What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin? Making sure you get enough vitamin C every day is essential. This is because vitamin C is the catalyst for dozens of vital cellular mechanisms in your body. This includes functions that promote healthy skin.   Besides acting as a powerful antioxidant, one of the biggest roles vitamin C plays is in the production and synthesis of collagen. Collagen is the basic building block of healthy tissue. It is formed through the binding together of key amino acids – mainly glycine, arginine, and proline. Vitamin C is vital for the creation of many types of collagen, especially Type I and III [1].   Your Body Can’t Make Vitamin C Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient. This means that it dissolves in water. In addition, we have to get enough of it through external sources, since the body can’t make it. Most of the vitamin C we ingest gets used right away or is flushed out through the urine.   However, research indicates that the body can and does store some amount of vitamin C.   One of the key storage places is in the skin. The first two layers of skin – the epidermis and the dermis – both contain high amounts of vitamin C.   Vitamin C is Needed for Collagen Production One of vitamin C’s main jobs is to add oxygen and hydrogen to the amino acids proline and lysine in order to turn them into their collagen forms (hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, respectfully) [2].   Without a hefty amount of vitamin C in the skin, collagen production inevitably slows. This causes skin to sag and may even raise your risk of skin-related conditions and melanoma. According to a 2015 study conducted at Queen Mary University in London, having adequate amounts of certain types of collagen in the skin (namely Type VII) may even help prevent skin cancer [3].     What About Topical Vitamin C? When it comes to topical application of vitamin C, absorbency and stability are definite challenges. For example, while scientists have found that ascorbic acid is the most effective type of vitamin C to use topically, it is often problematic since it is also very unstable.   This means that it breaks down and becomes ineffective when exposed to heat, light or air. In addition, absorption into the skin is poor when it’s mixed with a simple liquid like water.   The Solution? Vitamin C Serum Vitamin C serum is a liquid concentration that is meant to be applied on the skin topically, especially to the face. The vitamin C is usually suspended in a neutral lipid, such as glycerin or an oil.   All high-quality vitamin C serums for the face should be able to:   boost collagen production in skin add another level of protection against harmful pollutants and the sun help skin look and feel great without irritation [4]   4 Big Reasons Why Vitamin C Serum Is Your Skin’s Best Friend #1 – Vitamin C Helps Keeps Skin Young While vitamin C serum can’t get rid of every wrinkle that comes with age and too much sun exposure, it can help to reduce them – and sometimes quite significantly. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has the ability to protect sensitive skin from the aging effects of the sun. Just as important, however, is vitamin C’s role in the production of collagen.   Collagen provides structure and elasticity to skin. This means that the level of collagen in the skin directly correlates to how smooth, supple and elastic a person’s skin looks and feels. Unfortunately, studies have proven that after around age 20, collagen production decreases dramatically with each passing year [5].   Vitamin C serum can help to replenish collagen stores as we age. Using ultrasound technology, scientists at the Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy analyzed cutaneous changes to the facial skin of women who applied a 5% vitamin C solution for a total of 60 days. The German team found that “topically applied vitamin C is highly efficient as a rejuvenation therapy, inducing significant collagen synthesis in all age groups with minimal side effects [6].”   #2 – Vitamin C Serum Protects Skin from the Sun You may be interested to know how you can protect yourself from the sun without having to avoid it at all costs (sun exposure is how we obtain vitamin D, after all) and without having to slather your skin with toxic commercial sunscreen.   As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C protects the skin by warding off free radical damage caused by UV radiation that can lead to DNA mutation, according to research conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, amongst many others [7].   It’s important to still use good judgment when it comes to sun exposure and protection. That being said, upping your vitamin C levels by applying vitamin C serum to areas of your body that get the most exposure is a sound strategy.   According to the National Cancer Institute, areas that are most exposed to the sun (such as the face, neck, arms, and hands) are the most likely places where skin cancer can occur [8].   #3 – Vitamin C Serum Can Hydrate the Skin Using a high-quality vitamin C serum can also help to keep your skin hydrated by decreasing water loss at the trans-epidermal level [9].   How? Retained water molecules are a happy byproduct of increased collagen production as well as the production of hydroxyproline through vitamin C-assisted collagen synthesis. A derivative of vitamin C, known as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, also contributes to the hydrating effect of vitamin C [10].   #4 – Vitamin C Serum Can Help Reduce Under-Eye Bags Vitamin C’s ability to hydrate the skin, as well as its antioxidant capabilities, helps to lower inflammation. This can assist in getting rid of “puffy eyes” or those under-eye circles that can creep up because of lack of sleep, poor dietary choices, or other stressors.   A 2018 meta-analysis of over 300 other sources determined that vitamin C can help reduce C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels [11]. High CRP corresponds to high inflammation levels in the body.   The anti-inflammatory mechanisms in vitamin C may also help to even out age spots and pigmentation blemishes as well as balance skin tone. Research conducted at Tulane University in New Orleans suggests that topical vitamin C may be helpful in combatting other, more serious dermatological conditions as well [12].   I Already Take Vitamin C Supplements. Why Do I Need Vitamin C Serum? This argument makes practical sense. Unfortunately, according to the research, it’s not necessarily true. A 2017 analysis at the University of Otago in New Zealand took a look at the benefits of both dietary and topical vitamin C on skin health [13].   According to the study report published in the journal Nutrients, vitamin C consumed internally can only help skin in a person who is deficient to begin with. On the other hand, the multitude of studies conducted on vitamin C serum have proven that topical vitamin C application appears to have beneficial effects no matter what a person’s status [14].   Should You Try Vitamin C Serum? Now that you’re aware of the benefits of vitamin C for skin, you may be contemplating a vitamin C serum to boost your own skin health. However, choosing a high-quality vitamin C serum can be confusing.   The type of vitamin C used and the concentration of vitamin C overall are factors that can change with each brand. In addition, you’ll want to look for a quality serum that contains additional natural antioxidants that help to enhance stability and ensure the highest amount of absorbency.   The decision to add any product or protocol to your toolbox for vibrant living is a personal one, and one you should consult with your health professional about if you are unsure. That being said, the research seems to prove without a doubt that vitamin C serum can have great benefits for skin health, with minimal if any negative effects.   If you’re someone who wants softer, smoother, more vibrant-looking skin, then a high-quality, all-natural vitamin C serum such as Organixx Skin: Restore Vitamin C Serum may be a health and beauty tool you don’t want to be without!   Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx SKIN’s – Restore Vitamin C Serum https://organixx.com/skin-restore?gl=5db097ce02e26bf576c26cd0   Environmental Working Group – Skin Deep Database https://www.ewg.org/skindeep [1] Vitamin C and Skin Health [2] Vitamin C and Collagen [3] Suppression of TGFβ and Angiogenesis by Type VII Collagen in Cutaneous SCC [4] Protective effects of a topical antioxidant mixture containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin against ultraviolet-induced photodamage in human skin. [5] Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin [6] The role of vitamin C in pushing back the boundaries of skin aging: an ultrasonographic approach [7] The role of antioxidants in photoprotection: a critical review. [8] Skin Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version [9] Hydration structure of a collagen peptide [10] Vitamin C in dermatology [11] A Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials: The Impact of Vitamin C Supplementation on Serum CRP and Serum hs-CRP Concentrations. [12] Topical vitamin C: a useful agent for treating photoaging and other dermatologic conditions. [13] The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health [14] Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage.

Fascinating topic today for you! Tune in to learn what Vitamin C does for your skin, why your body can’t make it, how it affects collagen production, the difference between dietary and topical Vitamin C, and last but not least…. the big reasons you really want to use a restorative product like a Vitamin C serum. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best ones. This wisdom can be applied to the natural health choices we make every day too. One of nature’s simplest substances is vitamin C. What this common nutrient can do for your skin health and radiance (especially when it’s applied topically in the form of vitamin C serum) is simply amazing! Read on to discover the benefits of vitamin C for skin.  What Does Vitamin C Do for Your Skin? Making sure you get enough vitamin C every day is essential. This is because vitamin C is the catalyst for dozens of vital cellular mechanisms in your body. This includes functions that promote healthy skin. Besides acting as a powerful antioxidant, one of the biggest roles vitamin C plays is in the production and synthesis of collagen. Collagen is the basic building block of healthy tissue. It is formed through the binding together of key amino acids – mainly glycine, arginine, and proline. Vitamin C is vital for the creation of many types of collagen, especially Type I and III [1]. Your Body Can’t Make Vitamin C Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient. This means that it dissolves in water. In addition, we have to get enough of it through external sources, since the body can’t make it. Most of the vitamin C we ingest gets used right away or is flushed out through the urine. However, research indicates that the body can and does store some amount of vitamin C. One of the key storage places is in the skin. The first two layers of skin – the epidermis and the dermis – both contain high amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C is Needed for Collagen Production One of vitamin C’s main jobs is to add oxygen and hydrogen to the amino acids proline and lysine in order to turn them into their collagen forms (hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, respectfully) [2]. Without a hefty amount of vitamin C in the skin, collagen production inevitably slows. This causes skin to sag and may even raise your risk of skin-related conditions and melanoma. According to a 2015 study conducted at Queen Mary University in London, having adequate amounts of certain types of collagen in the skin (namely Type VII) may even help prevent skin cancer [3].  What About Topical Vitamin C? When it comes to topical application of vitamin C, absorbency and stability are definite challenges. For example, while scientists have found that ascorbic acid is the most effective type of vitamin C to use topically, it is often problematic since it is also very unstable. This means that it breaks down and becomes ineffective when exposed to heat, light or air. In addition, absorption into the skin is poor when it’s mixed with a simple liquid like water. The Solution? Vitamin C Serum Vitamin C serum is a liquid concentration that is meant to be applied on the skin topically, especially to the face. The vitamin C is usually suspended in a neutral lipid, such as glycerin or an oil. All high-quality vitamin C serums for the face should be able to: boost collagen production in skin add another level of protection against harmful pollutants and the sun help skin look and feel great without irritation [4]   4 Big Reasons Why Vitamin C Serum Is Your Skin’s Best Friend #1 – Vitamin C Helps Keeps Skin Young While vitamin C serum can’t get rid of every wrinkle that comes with age and too much sun exposure, it can help to reduce them – and sometimes quite significantly. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that has the ability to protect sensitive skin from the aging effects of the sun. Just as important, however, is vitamin C’s role in the production of collagen. Collagen provides structure and elasticity to skin. This means that the level of collagen in the skin directly correlates to how smooth, supple and elastic a person’s skin looks and feels. Unfortunately, studies have proven that after around age 20, collagen production decreases dramatically with each passing year [5]. Vitamin C serum can help to replenish collagen stores as we age. Using ultrasound technology, scientists at the Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy analyzed cutaneous changes to the facial skin of women who applied a 5% vitamin C solution for a total of 60 days. The German team found that “topically applied vitamin C is highly efficient as a rejuvenation therapy, inducing significant collagen synthesis in all age groups with minimal side effects [6].”   #2 – Vitamin C Serum Protects Skin from the Sun You may be interested to know how you can protect yourself from the sun without having to avoid it at all costs (sun exposure is how we obtain vitamin D, after all) and without having to slather your skin with toxic commercial sunscreen. As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C protects the skin by warding off free radical damage caused by UV radiation that can lead to DNA mutation, according to research conducted at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, amongst many others [7]. It’s important to still use good judgment when it comes to sun exposure and protection. That being said, upping your vitamin C levels by applying vitamin C serum to areas of your body that get the most exposure is a sound strategy. According to the National Cancer Institute, areas that are most exposed to the sun (such as the face, neck, arms, and hands) are the most likely places where skin cancer can occur [8].   #3 – Vitamin C Serum Can Hydrate the Skin Using a high-quality vitamin C serum can also help to keep your skin hydrated by decreasing water loss at the trans-epidermal level [9]. How? Retained water molecules are a happy byproduct of increased collagen production as well as the production of hydroxyproline through vitamin C-assisted collagen synthesis. A derivative of vitamin C, known as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, also contributes to the hydrating effect of vitamin C [10].   #4 – Vitamin C Serum Can Help Reduce Under-Eye Bags Vitamin C’s ability to hydrate the skin, as well as its antioxidant capabilities, helps to lower inflammation. This can assist in getting rid of “puffy eyes” or those under-eye circles that can creep up because of lack of sleep, poor dietary choices, or other stressors. A 2018 meta-analysis of over 300 other sources determined that vitamin C can help reduce C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels [11]. High CRP corresponds to high inflammation levels in the body. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms in vitamin C may also help to even out age spots and pigmentation blemishes as well as balance skin tone. Research conducted at Tulane University in New Orleans suggests that topical vitamin C may be helpful in combatting other, more serious dermatological conditions as well [12].   I Already Take Vitamin C Supplements. Why Do I Need Vitamin C Serum? This argument makes practical sense. Unfortunately, according to the research, it’s not necessarily true. A 2017 analysis at the University of Otago in New Zealand took a look at the benefits of both dietary and topical vitamin C on skin health [13].   According to the study report published in the journal Nutrients, vitamin C consumed internally can only help skin in a person who is deficient to begin with. On the other hand, the multitude of studies conducted on vitamin C serum have proven that topical vitamin C application appears to have beneficial effects no matter what a person’s status [14].   Should You Try Vitamin C Serum? Now that you’re aware of the benefits of vitamin C for skin, you may be contemplating a vitamin C serum to boost your own skin health. However, choosing a high-quality vitamin C serum can be confusing.   The type of vitamin C used and the concentration of vitamin C overall are factors that can change with each brand. In addition, you’ll want to look for a quality serum that contains additional natural antioxidants that help to enhance stability and ensure the highest amount of absorbency.   The decision to add any product or protocol to your toolbox for vibrant living is a personal one, and one you should consult with your health professional about if you are unsure. That being said, the research seems to prove without a doubt that vitamin C serum can have great benefits for skin health, with minimal if any negative effects.   If you’re someone who wants softer, smoother, more vibrant-looking skin, then a high-quality, all-natural vitamin C serum such as Organixx Skin: Restore Vitamin C Serum may be a health and beauty tool you don’t want to be without!   Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx SKIN’s – Restore Vitamin C Serum https://organixx.com/skin-restore?gl=5db097ce02e26bf576c26cd0   Environmental Working Group – Skin Deep Database https://www.ewg.org/skindeep [1] Vitamin C and Skin Health [2] Vitamin C and Collagen [3] Suppression of TGFβ and Angiogenesis by Type VII Collagen in Cutaneous SCC [4] Protective effects of a topical antioxidant mixture containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin against ultraviolet-induced photodamage in human skin. [5] Decreased Collagen Production in Chronologically Aged Skin [6] The role of vitamin C in pushing back the boundaries of skin aging: an ultrasonographic approach [7] The role of antioxidants in photoprotection: a critical review. [8] Skin Cancer Prevention (PDQ®)–Patient Version [9] Hydration structure of a collagen peptide [10] Vitamin C in dermatology [11] A Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials: The Impact of Vitamin C Supplementation on Serum CRP and Serum hs-CRP Concentrations. [12] Topical vitamin C: a useful agent for treating photoaging and other dermatologic conditions. [13] The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health [14] Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage.

This “king of bitters” (so-called because of its flavor) has been used for centuries in Asia to treat gut and upper respiratory infections, fever, herpes, sore throat, and other chronic and infectious disease conditions. However, modern research is demonstrating Andrographis paniculata’s benefits include aiding with joint conditions such as arthritis. ParActin®: A Potent Form of Andrographis Paniculata for Pain Support & More The medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata has been traditionally used for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to boost immune system activity. This “king of bitters” (so-called because of its flavor) has been used for centuries in Asia to treat gut and upper respiratory infections, fever, herpes, sore throat, and other chronic and infectious disease conditions [1]. However, modern research is demonstrating Andrographis paniculata’s benefits include aiding with joint conditions such as arthritis and it may even have anti-cancer benefits. Andrographis Goes by Many Names Andrographis is cultivated in many tropical Asian countries including India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, as well as in the West Indies, Brazil, parts of Africa, and Central America. Known as “chuan-xin-lian” in China, “kalmegh” in India, “senshinren” in Japan, “hempedu bumi” in Malaysia, “fah talai” in Thailand, and “green chiretta” in the Scandinavian countries, Andrographis is listed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (a publication that lists standards for all drugs that are manufactured, sold, and consumed in India) and in a couple of dozen Ayurvedic formulas [2]. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Andrographis is believed to rid the body of heat (e.g., fevers) and to dispel toxins [3]. Phytochemistry of Andrographis Paniculata Andrographis leaves are mainly responsible for its biological actions. They contain many bioactive compounds, including diterpene lactones – especially Andrographolide, the main bioactive ingredient that imparts the typical bitter taste. Andrographolide is an antioxidant that has been shown to be responsible for the herb’s anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Andrographolide is also reported in scientific literature to reduce blood clot formation, help protect the liver, have anti-cancer properties, and manage inflammation within safe levels [4]. What Is ParActin®? ParActin® is a patented extract of A. Paniculata, standardized to a fixed concentration of Andrographolide and other related compounds including 14-deoxyandrographolides and neoandrographolides [5]. Preliminary research shows that ParActin® promotes a healthy inflammatory response by blocking a powerful chemical known as NF-kappa B, which is known to be a key regulator of the inflammatory response system. As a result, ParActin® helps support a healthy and appropriate inflammatory response by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory compounds that trigger the familiar pain and redness associated with inflammation. The safety and efficacy of ParActin® has been assessed in more than 30 studies, including laboratory experiments on cultured cells and animal models – and even a human clinical trial. Let’s take a closer look at some of these studies and what they tell us about Andrographis and ParActin®. Inflammation Is Linked to Many Disease Conditions Long-term, chronic inflammation that occurs when the immune system goes into overdrive may lie at the root of many otherwise unrelated diseases, including: asthma inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) autoimmune diseases depression cancer Alzheimer’s disease Inflammation – which manifests as swelling, redness, heat, and pain – is a normal response of our immune system and our body’s way of defending us from infections and disease. However, if it’s not managed properly, inflammation can harm the body. Chronic inflammation is the result of an overactive immune system that is constantly turned on – or cannot be turned off – so that it attacks parts of the very body it is supposed to protect. So-called oxygenated chemical species – including free radicals, oxygen ions, and peroxides – are continuously made in our body’s cells in response to UV radiation and as byproducts of ongoing metabolic activity. They are highly reactive and dangerous, because they can attack cellular DNA and proteins, damaging them. When oxygenated chemical species are generated in excess, they can overwhelm cellular defense systems, leading to a condition known as oxidative stress along with high levels of inflammation – which, as we discussed earlier, is known to contribute to the development of many diseases. Andrographolide, the best-known bioactive ingredient in Andrographis, has been shown to directly inactivate free radicals. It also protects mitochondria, blocks pro-oxidant enzymes, and activates other antioxidant enzymes in the body [6]. Andrographis Boosts the Immune System Andrographolide has been shown to enhance the immune system. For example, it boosts production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which scavenge and destroy bacteria and other foreign matter. It also triggers the release of signaling proteins known as interferons, along with enhancing activity of the lymphatic system [7]. Interferons are made and released by our body’s cells when they get infected with viruses, causing nearby cells to strengthen their anti-viral defenses. Interferons are potent antiviral agents that stop viruses from multiplying. The lymphatic system is another circulatory system in our body that carries a fluid known as lymph, which removes the waste products of cellular metabolism. The lymphatic system also transports invading bacteria and viruses to lymph nodes where the white blood cells (lymphocytes) destroy them. Andrographis has been shown to trigger our immune system in two ways: Antigen-specific response – specific proteins known as antibodies are made to counteract invading bacteria and viruses. Nonspecific immune response – immune cells known as macrophages are produced, which scavenge and destroy invaders. Andrographis activates both responses, meaning it is very effective against a variety of infectious and cancer-causing agents [8]. Benefits for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections & Cough Andrographis has been used for many hundreds of years in traditional medicinal systems to treat upper respiratory infections. Modern research supports this. For example, a 2004 meta-analysis of the results of seven double-blind, controlled trials (with a total of 896 participants) showed that Andrographis offers significant relief from the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and may even prevent them from taking hold in the first place. [Note: A meta-analysis is a quantitative epidemiological study used to systematically assess the results of previous research – typically randomized, controlled clinical trials – to derive overall conclusions about that body of research.] All the participants in these seven clinical trials reported reduced fever, runny nose, cough, and sore throat on taking Andrographis relative to control patients. Side effects were described as “generally mild and infrequent” [9]. Similarly, another meta-analysis published in 2015 reviewed six randomized controlled clinical trials, which assessed the effects of Andrographis in the treatment of cough. Combined, these six studies compared 333 patients who took various Andrographis preparations relative to 348 patients in control groups. All of these studies showed that Andrographis preparations reduced cough severity [10]. Andrographis Heals the Gut As mentioned above, Andrographis has long been used in traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating gut infections. In a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, 224 patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis were either given 1200 or 1800 milligrams of Andrographis for 8 weeks. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the gut, affecting the innermost lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. A colonoscopy was performed before the study started and after it ended. Stool frequency and the presence of blood in the stool were also assessed every two weeks. At the end of the study, 60% of patients who received 1800 mg of Andrographis – relative to 40% of patients in the control group – showed clinical symptoms of healing. Not only that, 50% of the patients who received the 1800 mg of Andrographis also showed mucosal healing, relative to 33% in the control group [11]. Andrographis & Joint Pain from Arthritis Arthritis affects more than 70 million Americans, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints and connective tissues. Over time, cartilage breaks down, bones erode, and joints become misshapen [12]. Our modern understanding is that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) happens because of the uncontrolled inflammation that is typical of an autoimmune disease. In such situations, the body’s defense mechanism malfunctions and attacks its own tissues (e.g., healthy joints) for a prolonged period of time. An immune-signaling protein known as cachexin or tumor necrosis factor-alpha is one of the key drivers of inflammation. Andrographolide has been shown to lower levels of cachexin. ParActin® and Mild Knee Osteoarthritis In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study the efficacy of ParActin® (300 and 600 mg daily) was assessed on pain reduction in 103 patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis [13]. Patients treated with ParActin® showed a significant reduction in pain relative to the control group. Stiffness, physical function, and fatigue all showed a significant improvement with ParActin® treatment. At the end of the study, quality of life and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) scores were significantly better in the ParActin®-treated groups compared to the control group. ParActin® and Rheumatoid Arthritis Similarly, in a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study published in the journal Clinical Rheumatology in 2009, 60 individuals with compromised joints were given 100 mg of ParActin® or placebo in conjunction with methotrexate, three times a day for 14 weeks [14]. Methotrexate is proven to improve RA symptoms, but long-term use can cause serious infection and liver damage. In this study, ParActin® was effective in reducing the number and total grade of swollen joints, the number and total grade of tender joints, as well as improving scores on HAQ-52 (52-week Health Assessment Questionnaire), and SF-36 (36-item short form survey) health questionnaires. ParActin® treatment was associated with a reduction of various proteins, including enzymes, associated with cartilage damage. Currently, a human clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of ParActin® in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis is ongoing. In other laboratory experiments, ParActin® and Andrographolide have also been shown to support bone [15]12, cartilage [16]13, and muscle [17]14 health and recovery. Can Andrographis Help Fight Cancer? Cancer results when our body’s cells grow uncontrollably. When cells develop normally, they become more and more specialized in their function at each stage of development. For example, immature pancreatic cells that will eventually go on to make insulin will develop the cellular machinery to do so as they become mature pancreatic cells. When cancer happens, it interferes with normal cellular development and cells do not mature. In fact, cancer cells resemble immature body cells – and the more they resemble immature cells, the more likely it is that they will spread to other locations – known as metastasis, often with fatal consequences. So, it logically follows that if cancer cells can be made to forcibly undergo maturation or differentiation, they will lose the ability to grow uncontrollably. Indeed, in one laboratory study in mice, researchers showed that Andrographis could induce differentiation in leukemia cells [18]. [Note: Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, which are part of the immune system.] Andrographis can induce differentiation in laboratory conditions – but does this mean it can fight cancer? Indeed, it can – at least under laboratory conditions. A systematic review of no less than 139 pre-clinical and clinical studies shows that Andrographolide has anticancer effects on almost all types of cell lines in laboratory experiments [19]. Specifically, a 2019 study showed that Andrographolide prevented human colon cancer cells in culture from multiplying by inducing a process known as “programmed cell death” or apoptosis. Further, Andrographolide also displayed a combinatorial effect with chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs in these cells under laboratory conditions [20]. Similarly, the results of a 2019 study showed that a hot water extract of Andrographis could stimulate the production of specific components of the immune system and restore others to a more normal state. Furthermore, the Andrographis extract prevented tumor growth and metastasis in these mice, once again by inducing apoptosis, but without causing severe body weight loss as many anticancer chemotherapy drugs tend to do. Blood tests detected multiple bioactive Andrographis-derived diterpene compounds, suggesting that more than one might have contributed towards the beneficial effects seen in this study [21]. Andrographis extracts – especially bioactive lactone and diterpene compounds such as Andrographolide in them – have been shown to be very potent in suppressing the growth of various types of cancer cells in laboratory studies. In particular, Andrographolide has been shown to block the growth of human breast, prostate, and hepatoma tumors. It has even successfully been used in cancer chemotherapy [22]. Can Andrographis Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease? As a closing note, Andrographis is even showing promise in helping to combat Alzheimer’s disease. In a 2019 study published in the journal Plants – Basel, researchers reported that three compounds isolated from Andrographis may help stop the formation of structures known as beta-amyloid plaques, which underlie neurotoxicity and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease [23]. As noted by the researchers “Andrographis paniculata and Spilanthes paniculata are used extensively as medicinal herbs for the treatment of various ailments, and are reported to have neuroprotective properties.”   Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx’s Turmeric T3D https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/OobbS9ROAoETfnAGmGDF?ch-tn-box=first-box&gl=5d8908c502e26b5f0c38083c   Organixx Save & Subscribe Program https://organixx.com/subscribe-and-save/?gl=5eeaa19c8ebf588562f75d8f [1] Andrographis: In-depth review [2] Andrographolide, a Natural Antioxidant: An Update [3] Andrographis: In-depth review [4] Andrographolide, a Natural Antioxidant: An Update [5] ParActin® [6] Andrographolide, a Natural Antioxidant: An Update [7] Andrographis: In-depth review [8] Immunostimulant agents from Andrographis paniculata. [9] Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. [10] Herbal Medicine for Cough: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [11] Andrographis paniculata extract (HMPL-004) for active ulcerative colitis. [12] HP Ingredients: ParActin Joint Health. [13] A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. [14] Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial. [15] Assessment of the Efficacy of ParActin® in Subjects With Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis (ParActin) [16] ParActin: Healthy Bone Support [17] ParActin: Healthy Cartilage Support [18] ParActin: Muscle Health and Recovery [19] Cell differentiation-inducing diterpenes from Andrographis paniculata Nees. [20] Andrographolide, a diterpene lactone from Andrographis paniculata and its therapeutic promises in cancer. [21] Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Properties of Andrographolide Against Human Colon Cancer DLD1 Cell Line [22] Multiple modulatory activities of Andrographis paniculata on immune responses and xenograft growth in esophageal cancer preclinical models. [23] Andrographolide and analogues in cancer prevention. [24] Multi-Target β-Protease Inhibitors from Andrographis paniculata: In Silico and In Vitro Studies. Study builds scientific support for HP Ingredients’ ParActin for joint health https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2019/05/08/Study-builds-scientific-support-for-HP-Ingredients-ParActin-for-joint-health   A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30968986     Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS      

This “king of bitters” (so-called because of its flavor) has been used for centuries in Asia to treat gut and upper respiratory infections, fever, herpes, sore throat, and other chronic and infectious disease conditions. However, modern research is demonstrating Andrographis paniculata’s benefits include aiding with joint conditions such as arthritis. ParActin®: A Potent Form of Andrographis Paniculata for Pain Support & More The medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata has been traditionally used for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to boost immune system activity. This “king of bitters” (so-called because of its flavor) has been used for centuries in Asia to treat gut and upper respiratory infections, fever, herpes, sore throat, and other chronic and infectious disease conditions [1]. However, modern research is demonstrating Andrographis paniculata’s benefits include aiding with joint conditions such as arthritis and it may even have anti-cancer benefits. Andrographis Goes by Many Names Andrographis is cultivated in many tropical Asian countries including India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, as well as in the West Indies, Brazil, parts of Africa, and Central America. Known as “chuan-xin-lian” in China, “kalmegh” in India, “senshinren” in Japan, “hempedu bumi” in Malaysia, “fah talai” in Thailand, and “green chiretta” in the Scandinavian countries, Andrographis is listed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (a publication that lists standards for all drugs that are manufactured, sold, and consumed in India) and in a couple of dozen Ayurvedic formulas [2]. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Andrographis is believed to rid the body of heat (e.g., fevers) and to dispel toxins [3]. Phytochemistry of Andrographis Paniculata Andrographis leaves are mainly responsible for its biological actions. They contain many bioactive compounds, including diterpene lactones – especially Andrographolide, the main bioactive ingredient that imparts the typical bitter taste. Andrographolide is an antioxidant that has been shown to be responsible for the herb’s anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Andrographolide is also reported in scientific literature to reduce blood clot formation, help protect the liver, have anti-cancer properties, and manage inflammation within safe levels [4]. What Is ParActin®? ParActin® is a patented extract of A. Paniculata, standardized to a fixed concentration of Andrographolide and other related compounds including 14-deoxyandrographolides and neoandrographolides [5]. Preliminary research shows that ParActin® promotes a healthy inflammatory response by blocking a powerful chemical known as NF-kappa B, which is known to be a key regulator of the inflammatory response system. As a result, ParActin® helps support a healthy and appropriate inflammatory response by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory compounds that trigger the familiar pain and redness associated with inflammation. The safety and efficacy of ParActin® has been assessed in more than 30 studies, including laboratory experiments on cultured cells and animal models – and even a human clinical trial. Let’s take a closer look at some of these studies and what they tell us about Andrographis and ParActin®. Inflammation Is Linked to Many Disease Conditions Long-term, chronic inflammation that occurs when the immune system goes into overdrive may lie at the root of many otherwise unrelated diseases, including: asthma inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) autoimmune diseases depression cancer Alzheimer’s disease Inflammation – which manifests as swelling, redness, heat, and pain – is a normal response of our immune system and our body’s way of defending us from infections and disease. However, if it’s not managed properly, inflammation can harm the body. Chronic inflammation is the result of an overactive immune system that is constantly turned on – or cannot be turned off – so that it attacks parts of the very body it is supposed to protect. So-called oxygenated chemical species – including free radicals, oxygen ions, and peroxides – are continuously made in our body’s cells in response to UV radiation and as byproducts of ongoing metabolic activity. They are highly reactive and dangerous, because they can attack cellular DNA and proteins, damaging them. When oxygenated chemical species are generated in excess, they can overwhelm cellular defense systems, leading to a condition known as oxidative stress along with high levels of inflammation – which, as we discussed earlier, is known to contribute to the development of many diseases. Andrographolide, the best-known bioactive ingredient in Andrographis, has been shown to directly inactivate free radicals. It also protects mitochondria, blocks pro-oxidant enzymes, and activates other antioxidant enzymes in the body [6]. Andrographis Boosts the Immune System Andrographolide has been shown to enhance the immune system. For example, it boosts production of white blood cells known as lymphocytes, which scavenge and destroy bacteria and other foreign matter. It also triggers the release of signaling proteins known as interferons, along with enhancing activity of the lymphatic system [7]. Interferons are made and released by our body’s cells when they get infected with viruses, causing nearby cells to strengthen their anti-viral defenses. Interferons are potent antiviral agents that stop viruses from multiplying. The lymphatic system is another circulatory system in our body that carries a fluid known as lymph, which removes the waste products of cellular metabolism. The lymphatic system also transports invading bacteria and viruses to lymph nodes where the white blood cells (lymphocytes) destroy them. Andrographis has been shown to trigger our immune system in two ways: Antigen-specific response – specific proteins known as antibodies are made to counteract invading bacteria and viruses. Nonspecific immune response – immune cells known as macrophages are produced, which scavenge and destroy invaders. Andrographis activates both responses, meaning it is very effective against a variety of infectious and cancer-causing agents [8]. Benefits for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections & Cough Andrographis has been used for many hundreds of years in traditional medicinal systems to treat upper respiratory infections. Modern research supports this. For example, a 2004 meta-analysis of the results of seven double-blind, controlled trials (with a total of 896 participants) showed that Andrographis offers significant relief from the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and may even prevent them from taking hold in the first place. [Note: A meta-analysis is a quantitative epidemiological study used to systematically assess the results of previous research – typically randomized, controlled clinical trials – to derive overall conclusions about that body of research.] All the participants in these seven clinical trials reported reduced fever, runny nose, cough, and sore throat on taking Andrographis relative to control patients. Side effects were described as “generally mild and infrequent” [9]. Similarly, another meta-analysis published in 2015 reviewed six randomized controlled clinical trials, which assessed the effects of Andrographis in the treatment of cough. Combined, these six studies compared 333 patients who took various Andrographis preparations relative to 348 patients in control groups. All of these studies showed that Andrographis preparations reduced cough severity [10]. Andrographis Heals the Gut As mentioned above, Andrographis has long been used in traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating gut infections. In a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, 224 patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis were either given 1200 or 1800 milligrams of Andrographis for 8 weeks. Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the gut, affecting the innermost lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum. A colonoscopy was performed before the study started and after it ended. Stool frequency and the presence of blood in the stool were also assessed every two weeks. At the end of the study, 60% of patients who received 1800 mg of Andrographis – relative to 40% of patients in the control group – showed clinical symptoms of healing. Not only that, 50% of the patients who received the 1800 mg of Andrographis also showed mucosal healing, relative to 33% in the control group [11]. Andrographis & Joint Pain from Arthritis Arthritis affects more than 70 million Americans, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints and connective tissues. Over time, cartilage breaks down, bones erode, and joints become misshapen [12]. Our modern understanding is that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) happens because of the uncontrolled inflammation that is typical of an autoimmune disease. In such situations, the body’s defense mechanism malfunctions and attacks its own tissues (e.g., healthy joints) for a prolonged period of time. An immune-signaling protein known as cachexin or tumor necrosis factor-alpha is one of the key drivers of inflammation. Andrographolide has been shown to lower levels of cachexin. ParActin® and Mild Knee Osteoarthritis In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study the efficacy of ParActin® (300 and 600 mg daily) was assessed on pain reduction in 103 patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis [13]. Patients treated with ParActin® showed a significant reduction in pain relative to the control group. Stiffness, physical function, and fatigue all showed a significant improvement with ParActin® treatment. At the end of the study, quality of life and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) scores were significantly better in the ParActin®-treated groups compared to the control group. ParActin® and Rheumatoid Arthritis Similarly, in a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study published in the journal Clinical Rheumatology in 2009, 60 individuals with compromised joints were given 100 mg of ParActin® or placebo in conjunction with methotrexate, three times a day for 14 weeks [14]. Methotrexate is proven to improve RA symptoms, but long-term use can cause serious infection and liver damage. In this study, ParActin® was effective in reducing the number and total grade of swollen joints, the number and total grade of tender joints, as well as improving scores on HAQ-52 (52-week Health Assessment Questionnaire), and SF-36 (36-item short form survey) health questionnaires. ParActin® treatment was associated with a reduction of various proteins, including enzymes, associated with cartilage damage. Currently, a human clinical trial testing the safety and efficacy of ParActin® in patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis is ongoing. In other laboratory experiments, ParActin® and Andrographolide have also been shown to support bone [15]12, cartilage [16]13, and muscle [17]14 health and recovery. Can Andrographis Help Fight Cancer? Cancer results when our body’s cells grow uncontrollably. When cells develop normally, they become more and more specialized in their function at each stage of development. For example, immature pancreatic cells that will eventually go on to make insulin will develop the cellular machinery to do so as they become mature pancreatic cells. When cancer happens, it interferes with normal cellular development and cells do not mature. In fact, cancer cells resemble immature body cells – and the more they resemble immature cells, the more likely it is that they will spread to other locations – known as metastasis, often with fatal consequences. So, it logically follows that if cancer cells can be made to forcibly undergo maturation or differentiation, they will lose the ability to grow uncontrollably. Indeed, in one laboratory study in mice, researchers showed that Andrographis could induce differentiation in leukemia cells [18]. [Note: Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells, which are part of the immune system.] Andrographis can induce differentiation in laboratory conditions – but does this mean it can fight cancer? Indeed, it can – at least under laboratory conditions. A systematic review of no less than 139 pre-clinical and clinical studies shows that Andrographolide has anticancer effects on almost all types of cell lines in laboratory experiments [19]. Specifically, a 2019 study showed that Andrographolide prevented human colon cancer cells in culture from multiplying by inducing a process known as “programmed cell death” or apoptosis. Further, Andrographolide also displayed a combinatorial effect with chemotherapeutic anticancer drugs in these cells under laboratory conditions [20]. Similarly, the results of a 2019 study showed that a hot water extract of Andrographis could stimulate the production of specific components of the immune system and restore others to a more normal state. Furthermore, the Andrographis extract prevented tumor growth and metastasis in these mice, once again by inducing apoptosis, but without causing severe body weight loss as many anticancer chemotherapy drugs tend to do. Blood tests detected multiple bioactive Andrographis-derived diterpene compounds, suggesting that more than one might have contributed towards the beneficial effects seen in this study [21]. Andrographis extracts – especially bioactive lactone and diterpene compounds such as Andrographolide in them – have been shown to be very potent in suppressing the growth of various types of cancer cells in laboratory studies. In particular, Andrographolide has been shown to block the growth of human breast, prostate, and hepatoma tumors. It has even successfully been used in cancer chemotherapy [22]. Can Andrographis Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease? As a closing note, Andrographis is even showing promise in helping to combat Alzheimer’s disease. In a 2019 study published in the journal Plants – Basel, researchers reported that three compounds isolated from Andrographis may help stop the formation of structures known as beta-amyloid plaques, which underlie neurotoxicity and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease [23]. As noted by the researchers “Andrographis paniculata and Spilanthes paniculata are used extensively as medicinal herbs for the treatment of various ailments, and are reported to have neuroprotective properties.”   Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx’s Turmeric T3D https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/OobbS9ROAoETfnAGmGDF?ch-tn-box=first-box&gl=5d8908c502e26b5f0c38083c   Organixx Save & Subscribe Program https://organixx.com/subscribe-and-save/?gl=5eeaa19c8ebf588562f75d8f [1] Andrographis: In-depth review [2] Andrographolide, a Natural Antioxidant: An Update [3] Andrographis: In-depth review [4] Andrographolide, a Natural Antioxidant: An Update [5] ParActin® [6] Andrographolide, a Natural Antioxidant: An Update [7] Andrographis: In-depth review [8] Immunostimulant agents from Andrographis paniculata. [9] Andrographis paniculata in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of safety and efficacy. [10] Herbal Medicine for Cough: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [11] Andrographis paniculata extract (HMPL-004) for active ulcerative colitis. [12] HP Ingredients: ParActin Joint Health. [13] A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. [14] Efficacy of an Andrographis paniculata composition for the relief of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial. [15] Assessment of the Efficacy of ParActin® in Subjects With Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis (ParActin) [16] ParActin: Healthy Bone Support [17] ParActin: Healthy Cartilage Support [18] ParActin: Muscle Health and Recovery [19] Cell differentiation-inducing diterpenes from Andrographis paniculata Nees. [20] Andrographolide, a diterpene lactone from Andrographis paniculata and its therapeutic promises in cancer. [21] Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Properties of Andrographolide Against Human Colon Cancer DLD1 Cell Line [22] Multiple modulatory activities of Andrographis paniculata on immune responses and xenograft growth in esophageal cancer preclinical models. [23] Andrographolide and analogues in cancer prevention. [24] Multi-Target β-Protease Inhibitors from Andrographis paniculata: In Silico and In Vitro Studies. Study builds scientific support for HP Ingredients’ ParActin for joint health https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2019/05/08/Study-builds-scientific-support-for-HP-Ingredients-ParActin-for-joint-health   A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30968986     Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS      

The Gastrointestinal Microbiota and Why You Should Care About What That Is Probiotics, along with a host of other microorganisms are so crucial to your health that researchers have compared them to a newly-recognized organ. Your microflora, a term used to describe the bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes that make up your microbial inner ecosystem impact far more than your digestive tract. It’s the center of our body in the sense that it impacts our immune system, and our immune system impacts everything that goes on in our body and how healthy we are.   Some of The Areas Where Gut Bacteria Plays A Key Role Behavior - A study published found that mice lacking in gut bacteria behaved differently than normal mice, engaging in what would be referred to as high-risk behavior. This altered behavior was accompanied by neurochemical changes in the mouse brain. Your gut serves as a second brain - It produces more of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is known to have a positive influence on your mood than your brain does. Emotions are negatively affected by an unbalanced microbiota. Mental illness Gene expression - A probiotic-rich beverage has been shown to influence the activity of hundreds of your genes to help them express in a positive disease-fighting way Epigenetics - you may have certain genes, you may have certain DNA, but the expression of those genes can be highly-influenced by your lifestyle choices. Diabetes - According to a study from Denmark, bacterial population in the gut of diabetics differs from non-diabetics. According to the authors, the results of their study indicate that type 2 diabetes in humans is linked to compositional changes in intestinal microbiota. A healthy diet, which is low in sugar and grains, high in whole, raw foods and fermented foods, allows your beneficial gut bacteria to flourish. Autism - Establishment of a normal gut flora in the first 20 days or so of life is critical in appropriate maturation of your baby’s immune system. Hence, babies with abnormal gut flora have compromised immune systems and are particularly at risk for developing ADHD, learning disabilities, and autism, especially if they are vaccinated before restoring balance to their gut flora. Obesity - Probiotics may help fight obesity. Restoring your gut flora is therefore a crucial consideration if you’re struggling to lose weight. You don’t have to be obese either, or you could be a very thin person who’s extremely unhealthy when it comes to your gut as well.   How to Know If You Should Take A Probiotic You can’t seem to lose weight. You’ve got a lot of belly fat, and no matter what you try, you can’t get rid of it. You may have digestive issues, bloating, cramping, and gas after eating, constipation, diarrhea. Your skin is itchy or broken out. You crave sugar, refined or processed foods. You feel blue or moody. You feel tired during the day and aren’t sleeping soundly at night. You seem to catch every bug going around.   Antibiotics Affects your body’s own ability to fight and get rid of sickness, bugs, disease in your body. If you’re going to take an antibiotic, you should definitely follow it up with a probiotic so that you can get your gut health back in check, because it definitely will throw it off. The antibiotic doesn’t care if it’s a good bacterium or a bad bacterium.   Getting Your Gut Right (TeriAnn) I think getting your gut right takes a lot of work and a lot of effort and a lot of information. There are so many amazing things out there. There’s a test called, I believe it’s Viome, where you can get your gut tested to know what’s optimal for your gut. I had to reset my whole system. I did juice cleanses. I did an elimination diet. I detoxed my body. Juices, detox baths, all those things I slowly started adding supplements back.   “How Should I Take supplements?” You should start by taking one at a time and see how that impacts you. If that’s great, then go to the next one. But if you take two at a time, how do you know how each one is benefiting you?   Fermented Foods One of the most natural and effective ways to get your gut back to a healthy place and continue on that journey of keeping your gut healthy. Kombucha   Benefits of Fermented Foods Some fermented foods are outstanding sources of essential nutrients, such as vitamin K2, which helps prevent arterial plaque buildup and heart disease. Optimizing your immune system - 80 percent of your immune system is actually located in your gut. Detoxification - fermented foods are some of the best chelators available. The beneficial bacteria in these are highly potent detoxifiers capable of drawing out a wide range of toxins and heavy metals. There’s a natural variety of microflora - as long as you vary the fermented and cultured foods you eat; you’ll get a much wider variety of beneficial bacteria than you could ever get from just one supplement. Cost-effectiveness - because it contains so many of the good beneficial bacteria, just adding a little bit into your meal, at every single meal that you have, can have long-term health effects in a positive way on your health, all the different bacteria that you’re exposed to.   How to Know If A Probiotic Supplement Is Good Refrigeration - The challenge is, is the supply chain from where the probiotic is created, and encapsulated, or bottled, staying cool all the way until it hits the health food store or until it hits your front doorstep. The chances of that staying refrigerated from the place of manufacturing until it gets in your hands, it’s slim to none. It contains freeze-dried cultures that are clinically proven to wipe our digestive pain. Freeze-drying is the process of removing all of the water out of the substance. The best probiotics are freeze-dried, which keeps them dormant until they make contact with the water again. As soon as the probiotics get hydrated, they spring back to life. Make sure that they are using high-quality advanced plant-based vegetarian capsules. Old-school probiotic capsules dissolve and release live flora or good bacteria in the wrong place. On average, probiotic capsules take about 5-6 minutes to dissolve, and they release the live flora in your stomach, where most get killed instantly by your stomach acid. So, they never get to your colon where they’re needed. Plant-based capsules help reduce oxidation and keep more bacteria alive. They also have a thicker coating than traditional capsules. This means that a higher percentage of the live probiotics will survive your stomach acid and reach your intestines. Make sure that you have a single-strain probiotic. Many manufacturers combine the wrong strains. They mix together a bunch of strains and never analyze where the strains may compete and work against one another. Probiotixx+ NEW! Improved formula. Freeze-dried. A specific strain, lactobacillus plantarum.   Deeper Dive Resources   Empowering You Organically Podcast on Gut Health https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/achieving-optimum-health-by-healing-your-gut-and-microbiome-episode-26/   Organixx Articles on Fermented Foods https://organixx.com/?s=fermented+foods   Organixx Articles on Probiotics https://organixx.com/?s=probiotics   Organixx ProBiotixx+ https://shop.organixx.com/collections/digestive-gut-health/products/probiotixx   Probiotics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probiotic   Gastrointestinal Microbiota https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_gastrointestinal_microbiota   Research on Probiotics https://nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics/introduction.htm   The Gut-Brain Connection https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection   Study on Mice and Gut Bacteria and Behavior https://www.pnas.org/content/108/7/3047.long   Serotonin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin   Gene Expression https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_expression   Epigenetics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics   Intestinal Bacteria and Diabetes Study https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-11-intestinal-bacteria-diabetes.html   Pesticides/Herbicides and Gut Bacteria https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5972442/   Newborns and The Development of Gut Microbiota https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1323893017301119   Gut Bacteria and Obesity https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=gut+bacteria+and+obesity&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart   Kombucha https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha   Fermented Foods https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermentation_in_food_processing   Detoxification https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detoxification

Join Jonathan and Wade Lightheart as we dive deeper into understanding how enzymes are critical to your health and vitality. We really help you understand what you are looking for in an effective enzyme supplement. Tune in to understand what proteolytic means, the various enzymes needed in your digestive tract, the powerful punch of AstraZyme™, and why cultured enzymes matter.    About Wade Lightheart 3-Time Canadian All Natural Bodybuilding Champion who competed as vegetarian, former Mr. Universe Competitor, host of The Awesome Health podcast, Wade Lightheart is one of the world’s premier authorities on Natural Nutrition and Training Methods. Having majored in Sports Science at the University of New Brunswick, he has authored numerous books on health, nutrition and exercise which have sold in over 80 countries. Wade also serves as an advisor to the American Anti-Cancer Institute. He’s been in the health industry for over 25 years, coached thousands of clients, and is sought out by athletes and high-performance oriented individuals worldwide for his advice on how to optimize their health and fitness levels.   What Are Enzymes? ENZYME - noun BIOCHEMISTRY a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. There are approximately 25,000 different enzymatic functions in the body The number of enzymes that you have present in your body is directly proportion to the amount of chemical reactions that you can engage in in the body. The difference between stones, plants, and people is enzymes, the amount and the role of those enzymes. They are the most critical component to all metabolic transactions.   Enzyme Bank It's like having a bank account. In other words, your ability to write metabolic checks, to build, to repair, to heal, to digest your food, to make your hormones work, to break down the smallest chemical reactions, to make your skin nice, you name it, requires an enzymatic pathway.   What is a PROTEOLYTIC enzyme? also called protease, proteinase, or peptidase, any of a group of enzymes that break the long chainlike molecules of proteins into shorter fragments (peptides) and eventually into their components, amino acids. Proteolytic enzymes are present in bacteria, archaea, certain types of algae, some viruses, and plants; they are most abundant, however, in animals. The two major groups are the exopeptidases, which target the terminal ends of proteins, and the endopeptidases, which target sites within proteins.   What to Look for in an Enzyme Supplement Loaded up with proteolytic enzymes Make sure it covers the various pH levels of digestion; 3.0, 4.5 & 6.0 Contains amylase to break down your carbohydrates Contains alpha galactosidase, which will help break down some of the sugars that you will find in food Contains glucoamylase, another one that'll cover the different range of sugars that you might consume inadvertently Invertase, maltase, to help with hidden sugars that cause interruptions and metabolic problems and blood sugar issues Contains lipase to break down fats Contains phytase to break down plant fibers Contains hemicellulose and the cellulase, which will actually break down those difficult proteins that are actually a fibrous protein Contains lactase for people that can't digest milk (it's because they don't produce lactase) Contains AstraZyme™ to bolster all the benefits Enzymes are cultured     What is AstraZyme™ We studied Chinese medicine and found out there is a particular root, called the astragalus root, that is used in almost every single Chinese compound. When we found out why it was used, that it turns out that that particular root actually activates and accelerates, it increases the potential of the enzymatic response. So, we took that extract through this into that formulation as well and precise dosages. And that gave a 30 to 60% boost depending on the enzyme and its effectiveness.   What is a Cultured Enzyme? A cultured enzyme means this is an enzyme grown on a very specific medium that allows you to increase the potency over a normal enzyme from 100 to 1000 times. This process takes about eight weeks to get that kind of potency. So just like if you were fermenting beer or wine or something, you've got to let it work for a period of time before you get that premium spirit. It's the exact same process inside of the enzyme formula. We’re fermenting and creating a specific medium and then extracted enzymes.  No chemicals are used in the extraction process. So, you just get the pure working enzymes to deliver an incredible result.   What happens if I don't have the protease in my body to break down the all the protein that I'm ingesting? Gas Bloating Skin problems Brain fog The reason? Because you're feeding bad bacteria who are producing a variety of endotoxins inside the body that are interrupting your natural activity.     * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx P3E Enzymes https://organixx.com/p3e?gl=5e29babe02e26bdb05020909   Proteolytic Enzymes https://www.britannica.com/science/proteolytic-enzyme   What Is the pH of the Stomach? https://www.thoughtco.com/ph-of-the-stomach-608195     National Center for Health Statistics https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/digestive-diseases.htm   Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/digestive-diseases   Collagens: Hype or Healthy – Episode 15 https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/collagens-hype-or-healthy-episode-15/?gl=5d37204c02e26bc012183af2         Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!   APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY            GOOGLE PODCASTS    

Join us for a dive into the power of essential oils in our daily lives. The interest in essential oils is rapidly on the rise according to Google Trends. The trend line is fascinating.  Why? What makes essential oils so sought after? They work! Organixx carries a line of organic and pure essential oils. Today we will share the top 3 uses of the top single essential oils in our line. Lavender Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. We’ve all heard by now that lavender promotes deeper sleep, but did you know…   There’s promising research for breast health too. 2014 Iranian research published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer found that lavender oil kills breast cancer cells but leaves healthy cells unharmed. It’s important to note that this study was on cells in a petri dish, not on humans. The researchers concluded that: “L. angustifolia has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines, and apoptosis is proposed as the possible mechanism of action.”1 Stops the itch and burn of insect bites. Even fire ants! Put a drop of lavender oil on a bee sting, mosquito, or other bug bite to stop pain, itching, and reduce swelling. Reapply as necessary. Lavender oil works really well for this, especially if applied immediately. Use it as a flavor booster. Add a drop of high-quality lavender oil suitable for consumption to brownie batter, chocolate icing, cookie dough, dessert recipes, raw chocolate, or even salad dressings. It’s absolutely delicious.   Is Lavender Oil Safe? Using diluted lavender oil topically or in aromatherapy is generally considered safe for most adults but may not be recommended for children. Applying pure lavender oil to your skin (especially open wounds) may also cause irritation, so we recommend infusing it with a carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Dissolving it in water also works.   Be careful not to rub lavender oil in your eyes and mucous membranes. If this happens, wash it out immediately. Lavender oil may also cause allergic reactions in people with unusually sensitive skin, so do a spot test before using it. Simply apply a drop of lavender oil to your arm and see if any reaction occurs.   The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) also warns against using lavender oil when taking medications like barbiturates, benzodiazepines and chloral hydrate, as it may increase their sedative effects and cause extreme drowsiness and sleepiness.     Tea Tree (Melaleuca) This versatile oil possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties.   Due to its potent anti-inflammatory benefits, tea tree oil helps to relieve inflammatory skin conditions, especially eczema and psoriasis. Dilute as necessary and apply to affected area two to three times daily. Tea tree oil has long been used as a natural bug repellent by native Australian aboriginal people. Chinese research in 2016 found tea tree to be effective against the cereal weevil, Sitophilus zeamais.3 The cereal weevil is considered to be an extremely destructive pest to stored cereals all over the world. Tea tree also helps to relieve the pain, itching, and inflammation of insect bites. If it’s an extra-hot day and your deodorant has failed, apply again, but this time with a drop or two of tea tree oil to help kill bacteria. Tea tree oil’s potent antibacterial properties are well proven with dozens of research studies.   Is Tea Tree Oil Safe? The answer is yes, as long as it is applied topically in appropriate doses and NOT swallowed. This oil may irritate your skin, especially if used for the first time. We recommend starting with low concentrations until you figure out your tolerance. Determine if you have an allergy to tea tree oil before using it by doing a skin test — apply a small amount to your inner arm to see if any reaction such as a rash or hives occurs.   The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) recommends avoiding oxidized oil, which has been exposed to air, because it may help trigger allergies more than fresh tea tree oil.  Avoid using undiluted tea tree oil as well and use tea tree oil-infused products instead to reduce your risk of skin irritation.   Lemon The health benefits of lemon oil can be attributed to its stimulating, calming, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant and antifungal properties. *Important to note: Lemon essential oil can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Lemon oil has a balancing effect on the oil glands of the scalp. Massage a drop or two of lemon oil into your scalp before you go to bed at night. Wash it out in the morning. Done over a period of weeks, you will notice much less oily hair. It will make your pillow smell nice and fresh too! Diffuse lemon oil to help kill airborne bacteria. Research carried out by Dr. Jean Valnet (co-author of the book The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties) shows that diffused lemon oil can rapidly kill off the bacteria that causes meningococcal infections, typhoid fever, staph infections, pneumonia, diphtheria, and tuberculosis. Several essential oils are haemostatic, i.e. they help to stop bleeding by speeding up the coagulation of the blood. The most useful of these is oil of Lemon, though Geranium and Rose have similar, though less powerful, effects.   Is Lemon Oil Safe? It is advisable not to use lemon oil without diluting it first, as it can irritate skin. It must be used with a carrier oil for direct application to the skin. Effective carrier oils include coconut oil, olive oil and jojoba oil.   There are findings showing that lemon oil may promote photosensitivity, which increases your sensitivity to the sun and may lead to sunburn and uneven darkening of the skin. We also recommend you avoid applying lemon oil and other citrus oils to your skin when outdoors, as blistering may occur.   People with sensitivities should use essential oils with caution. Reactions can vary from person to person. Some may experience skin reactions, while some may have respiratory problems. Consult your physician first before use. Pregnant women and children should also see a doctor before applying lemon oil.   Peppermint According to a review conducted by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities. It also works as a strong antioxidant, displays anti-tumor actions in lab studies, shows anti-allergenic potential and pain-killing effects, helps to relax the gastrointestinal tract and may be chemopreventive.4   Note: Chemoprevention is the use of a medication, vitamin or supplement to stop cancer from happening. This is most often used for people who have a high risk of developing cancer. The high menthol content of peppermint makes it great for cooling off during hot flashes. At the first sign of a hot flash developing, place a drop at the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, or on the collarbones. Breathe it in. This has an instant cooling and calming effect. Peppermint oil not only relaxes skeletal muscles, it also helps to relax the muscles of the respiratory system. Inhaling the scent of peppermint helps to relieve congestion due to allergies and counteract the effects of pollen. Especially powerful when combined with lavender and lemon to ease seasonal allergies! Peppermint oil is superb for helping to relieve indigestion and heartburn. Put just one drop of peppermint oil into a glass of water and drink. It works much more quickly than peppermint tea due to the concentrated nature of peppermint oil. If it’s too strong for you, just dilute it and rub it across the tummy.   Is Peppermint Oil Safe? Peppermint oil is safe in low amounts in most adults, but it can trigger side effects in people with sensitivities. It is important for the following individuals to either avoid using this essential oil or to use it carefully only with the help of a healthcare professional. Pregnant and nursing women — Peppermint oil or other similar products may have emmenagogue and abortifacient effects, so it would be wise not to use peppermint oil without your physician's approval. Infants and children 7 years old and younger — Peppermint oil must not be used undiluted because there isn't enough information regarding its safety for them. Diabetics — Using peppermint oil may raise your risk of low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia patients — Peppermint can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, and cause acid to move up to the esophagus. People with gallbladder problems — Peppermint oil may cause gallbladder inflammation; those diagnosed with gallstones should consult a physician before using peppermint oil. People taking antacids — These drugs can cause peppermint oil capsules to break down easily, increasing the risk of heartburn.   Eucalyptus The healing benefits of Eucalyptus Oil can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, and antiseptic qualities, among other valuable properties.   Eucalyptus oil is known to be a vasodilator, meaning it dilates, or opens, blood vessels. In 1994, Austrian researchers discovered that eucalyptol, a phytochemical in eucalyptus oil (also known as 1,8-cineol) improved global blood flow to the brain, after only 20 minutes of inhalation.9 A newer study released in 2016 by Korean researchers found that eucalyptol is also able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. This research also found eucalyptol’s high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to be helpful in the management of chronic conditions such as respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and degenerative nerve and brain diseases. Some studies have shown that several different species of eucalyptus may help to reduce blood sugar levels in mice. Also because eucalyptus is such an excellent vasodilator, the entire body benefits from this increase in blood circulation. To help combat poor blood circulation, dilute eucalyptus oil and massage it into the legs, hands, and feet as needed. Eucalyptus oil’s anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-phlegm properties work very quickly to open congested airways. Make a steam inhalation by boiling two cups of water, pour it into a large bowl, then let it cool for five minutes. Add a drop or two of eucalyptus oil. Then create a tent from a small towel draped over your head. Place your face over the bowl and carefully breathe in the vapor until you get some relief. This should only take a couple of minutes. This is great for bronchitis, head colds, chest colds, and asthma.   Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe? Essential oils like eucalyptus oil are generally safe to use, but with specific precautions. Before using it, consult a holistic doctor to see if your condition would allow you to do so, and undergo an allergen patch test to check for possible allergic reactions and lower your risk for developing side effects. In general, adults should not take eucalyptus oil orally except under a doctor's supervision, and this oil mustn't be given to children, especially those under 2 years old.     While eucalyptus oil is generally safe when applied to adult skin, refrain from applying the oil, salve or chest rub on the face or nose of baby because of its potential side effects. Lastly, pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid using the oil as evidence is lacking regarding its safety for these groups of women.     Frankincense – The KING of essential oils! Frankincense essential oil is distilled from the resin of the Boswellia tree that grows in many regions within northern Africa and the Middle East. Oman, Somalia, and Ethiopia are the most prominent suppliers today.   Research shows that the natural plant chemical constituents in frankincense oil stimulate the immune system.2   But it supports so much more… Frankincense is a powerful health support for respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and bronchitis. It even helps when suffering from laryngitis. Diffuse it into the room where you intend to spend some time. For best results, use an ultrasonic cool mist diffuser. Never heat essential oils because heating them diminishes their therapeutic effects. Whether your skin is dry and mature or oily and blotched with blemishes, frankincense oil has wonderful balancing qualities. It helps to reduce lines and wrinkles by tightening and toning skin, accelerates the healing of blemishes, skin ulcers and wounds, and stimulates cell regeneration. For anti-aging benefits, put several drops into your favorite night time moisturizer. For acne and blemishes, apply it neat directly on the problem area, unless you have very sensitive skin, then dilute. Use frankincense oil to help calm and center the mind, to promote spiritual awareness, and to cultivate a sense of inner peace while meditating. Frankincense contains compounds known as sesquiterpenes which work directly on the limbic system of the brain, the center of memory and emotions. Frankincense is calming, grounding, and centering to the nervous system. Diffuse it into your room, or just inhale directly from the bottle at the start of your meditation.   Is Frankincense Oil Safe? Yes, frankincense oil is generally safe. Just make sure to undergo an allergen patch test before applying frankincense oil topically to see if you have any sensitivity to this oil.   For some groups of people, frankincense oil isn’t recommended, since it may trigger adverse reactions. If you’re pregnant or nursing, avoid using frankincense oil because it may trigger contractions, prompt menstruation and lead to a miscarriage. As for children, there is very limited information regarding the potential use of this oil for this age group, so if you’re a parent or guardian, do not let them use this oil.   How to Dilute Essential Oils Although essential oils can be used neat (undiluted) in many cases, it is best (and more economical) to dilute essential oils before applying them to the body. Add a drop or two of your chosen oil to one-half to one teaspoonful of an organic carrier oil such as coconut, almond, hemp, or jojoba.   If using with children or pets, use even less essential oil because their smaller bodies cannot tolerate an adult dose. It’s best to consult a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils with pets or children.    A Final Word About Quality Always choose high quality, organic essential oil that has been properly distilled so that its phytochemical content is not compromised. Look for bottles labeled 100% pure oil and beware of cheap oils that may be diluted with potentially toxic chemical ingredients.   In addition to the powerful essential oils we touched on today, Organixx carries 6 more beautiful single oils just as powerful and effective to help you maintain optimal health; Orange, Grapefruit, Oregano, Geranium Rose, Rosemary, and Clove.       Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx Essential Oils - 100% Pure, Organic, Non-GMO https://organixx.com/essential-oils/?gl=5d88df4d02e26b7621380839   1 Comparative studies of cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of different extracts and the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia on malignant and normal cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24571090   2 Immunomodulatory activity of biopolymeric fraction BOS 2000 from Boswellia serrata. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18167047   3 Insecticidal Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oil and RNA-Seq Analysis of Sitophilus zeamais Transcriptome in Response to Oil Fumigation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27936192   4 A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798   National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy – Safety Information https://naha.org/index.php/explore-aromatherapy/safety#pregnancy             Subscribe to Empowering You Organically 
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Join us for a dive into the power of essential oils in our daily lives. The interest in essential oils is rapidly on the rise according to Google Trends. The trend line is fascinating.  Why? What makes essential oils so sought after? They work! Organixx carries a line of organic and pure essential oils. Today we will share the top 3 uses of the top single essential oils in our line. Lavender Lavender oil is believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. We’ve all heard by now that lavender promotes deeper sleep, but did you know…   There’s promising research for breast health too. 2014 Iranian research published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer found that lavender oil kills breast cancer cells but leaves healthy cells unharmed. It’s important to note that this study was on cells in a petri dish, not on humans. The researchers concluded that: “L. angustifolia has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines, and apoptosis is proposed as the possible mechanism of action.”1 Stops the itch and burn of insect bites. Even fire ants! Put a drop of lavender oil on a bee sting, mosquito, or other bug bite to stop pain, itching, and reduce swelling. Reapply as necessary. Lavender oil works really well for this, especially if applied immediately. Use it as a flavor booster. Add a drop of high-quality lavender oil suitable for consumption to brownie batter, chocolate icing, cookie dough, dessert recipes, raw chocolate, or even salad dressings. It’s absolutely delicious.   Is Lavender Oil Safe? Using diluted lavender oil topically or in aromatherapy is generally considered safe for most adults but may not be recommended for children. Applying pure lavender oil to your skin (especially open wounds) may also cause irritation, so we recommend infusing it with a carrier oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Dissolving it in water also works.   Be careful not to rub lavender oil in your eyes and mucous membranes. If this happens, wash it out immediately. Lavender oil may also cause allergic reactions in people with unusually sensitive skin, so do a spot test before using it. Simply apply a drop of lavender oil to your arm and see if any reaction occurs.   The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) also warns against using lavender oil when taking medications like barbiturates, benzodiazepines and chloral hydrate, as it may increase their sedative effects and cause extreme drowsiness and sleepiness.     Tea Tree (Melaleuca) This versatile oil possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties.   Due to its potent anti-inflammatory benefits, tea tree oil helps to relieve inflammatory skin conditions, especially eczema and psoriasis. Dilute as necessary and apply to affected area two to three times daily. Tea tree oil has long been used as a natural bug repellent by native Australian aboriginal people. Chinese research in 2016 found tea tree to be effective against the cereal weevil, Sitophilus zeamais.3 The cereal weevil is considered to be an extremely destructive pest to stored cereals all over the world. Tea tree also helps to relieve the pain, itching, and inflammation of insect bites. If it’s an extra-hot day and your deodorant has failed, apply again, but this time with a drop or two of tea tree oil to help kill bacteria. Tea tree oil’s potent antibacterial properties are well proven with dozens of research studies.   Is Tea Tree Oil Safe? The answer is yes, as long as it is applied topically in appropriate doses and NOT swallowed. This oil may irritate your skin, especially if used for the first time. We recommend starting with low concentrations until you figure out your tolerance. Determine if you have an allergy to tea tree oil before using it by doing a skin test — apply a small amount to your inner arm to see if any reaction such as a rash or hives occurs.   The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) recommends avoiding oxidized oil, which has been exposed to air, because it may help trigger allergies more than fresh tea tree oil.  Avoid using undiluted tea tree oil as well and use tea tree oil-infused products instead to reduce your risk of skin irritation.   Lemon The health benefits of lemon oil can be attributed to its stimulating, calming, astringent, detoxifying, antiseptic, disinfectant and antifungal properties. *Important to note: Lemon essential oil can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Lemon oil has a balancing effect on the oil glands of the scalp. Massage a drop or two of lemon oil into your scalp before you go to bed at night. Wash it out in the morning. Done over a period of weeks, you will notice much less oily hair. It will make your pillow smell nice and fresh too! Diffuse lemon oil to help kill airborne bacteria. Research carried out by Dr. Jean Valnet (co-author of the book The Practice of Aromatherapy: A Classic Compendium of Plant Medicines and Their Healing Properties) shows that diffused lemon oil can rapidly kill off the bacteria that causes meningococcal infections, typhoid fever, staph infections, pneumonia, diphtheria, and tuberculosis. Several essential oils are haemostatic, i.e. they help to stop bleeding by speeding up the coagulation of the blood. The most useful of these is oil of Lemon, though Geranium and Rose have similar, though less powerful, effects.   Is Lemon Oil Safe? It is advisable not to use lemon oil without diluting it first, as it can irritate skin. It must be used with a carrier oil for direct application to the skin. Effective carrier oils include coconut oil, olive oil and jojoba oil.   There are findings showing that lemon oil may promote photosensitivity, which increases your sensitivity to the sun and may lead to sunburn and uneven darkening of the skin. We also recommend you avoid applying lemon oil and other citrus oils to your skin when outdoors, as blistering may occur.   People with sensitivities should use essential oils with caution. Reactions can vary from person to person. Some may experience skin reactions, while some may have respiratory problems. Consult your physician first before use. Pregnant women and children should also see a doctor before applying lemon oil.   Peppermint According to a review conducted by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities. It also works as a strong antioxidant, displays anti-tumor actions in lab studies, shows anti-allergenic potential and pain-killing effects, helps to relax the gastrointestinal tract and may be chemopreventive.4   Note: Chemoprevention is the use of a medication, vitamin or supplement to stop cancer from happening. This is most often used for people who have a high risk of developing cancer. The high menthol content of peppermint makes it great for cooling off during hot flashes. At the first sign of a hot flash developing, place a drop at the back of the neck, at the base of the skull, or on the collarbones. Breathe it in. This has an instant cooling and calming effect. Peppermint oil not only relaxes skeletal muscles, it also helps to relax the muscles of the respiratory system. Inhaling the scent of peppermint helps to relieve congestion due to allergies and counteract the effects of pollen. Especially powerful when combined with lavender and lemon to ease seasonal allergies! Peppermint oil is superb for helping to relieve indigestion and heartburn. Put just one drop of peppermint oil into a glass of water and drink. It works much more quickly than peppermint tea due to the concentrated nature of peppermint oil. If it’s too strong for you, just dilute it and rub it across the tummy.   Is Peppermint Oil Safe? Peppermint oil is safe in low amounts in most adults, but it can trigger side effects in people with sensitivities. It is important for the following individuals to either avoid using this essential oil or to use it carefully only with the help of a healthcare professional. Pregnant and nursing women — Peppermint oil or other similar products may have emmenagogue and abortifacient effects, so it would be wise not to use peppermint oil without your physician's approval. Infants and children 7 years old and younger — Peppermint oil must not be used undiluted because there isn't enough information regarding its safety for them. Diabetics — Using peppermint oil may raise your risk of low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia patients — Peppermint can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus, and cause acid to move up to the esophagus. People with gallbladder problems — Peppermint oil may cause gallbladder inflammation; those diagnosed with gallstones should consult a physician before using peppermint oil. People taking antacids — These drugs can cause peppermint oil capsules to break down easily, increasing the risk of heartburn.   Eucalyptus The healing benefits of Eucalyptus Oil can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, and antiseptic qualities, among other valuable properties.   Eucalyptus oil is known to be a vasodilator, meaning it dilates, or opens, blood vessels. In 1994, Austrian researchers discovered that eucalyptol, a phytochemical in eucalyptus oil (also known as 1,8-cineol) improved global blood flow to the brain, after only 20 minutes of inhalation.9 A newer study released in 2016 by Korean researchers found that eucalyptol is also able to pass through the blood-brain barrier. This research also found eucalyptol’s high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to be helpful in the management of chronic conditions such as respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and degenerative nerve and brain diseases. Some studies have shown that several different species of eucalyptus may help to reduce blood sugar levels in mice. Also because eucalyptus is such an excellent vasodilator, the entire body benefits from this increase in blood circulation. To help combat poor blood circulation, dilute eucalyptus oil and massage it into the legs, hands, and feet as needed. Eucalyptus oil’s anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and anti-phlegm properties work very quickly to open congested airways. Make a steam inhalation by boiling two cups of water, pour it into a large bowl, then let it cool for five minutes. Add a drop or two of eucalyptus oil. Then create a tent from a small towel draped over your head. Place your face over the bowl and carefully breathe in the vapor until you get some relief. This should only take a couple of minutes. This is great for bronchitis, head colds, chest colds, and asthma.   Is Eucalyptus Oil Safe? Essential oils like eucalyptus oil are generally safe to use, but with specific precautions. Before using it, consult a holistic doctor to see if your condition would allow you to do so, and undergo an allergen patch test to check for possible allergic reactions and lower your risk for developing side effects. In general, adults should not take eucalyptus oil orally except under a doctor's supervision, and this oil mustn't be given to children, especially those under 2 years old.     While eucalyptus oil is generally safe when applied to adult skin, refrain from applying the oil, salve or chest rub on the face or nose of baby because of its potential side effects. Lastly, pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid using the oil as evidence is lacking regarding its safety for these groups of women.     Frankincense – The KING of essential oils! Frankincense essential oil is distilled from the resin of the Boswellia tree that grows in many regions within northern Africa and the Middle East. Oman, Somalia, and Ethiopia are the most prominent suppliers today.   Research shows that the natural plant chemical constituents in frankincense oil stimulate the immune system.2   But it supports so much more… Frankincense is a powerful health support for respiratory problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and bronchitis. It even helps when suffering from laryngitis. Diffuse it into the room where you intend to spend some time. For best results, use an ultrasonic cool mist diffuser. Never heat essential oils because heating them diminishes their therapeutic effects. Whether your skin is dry and mature or oily and blotched with blemishes, frankincense oil has wonderful balancing qualities. It helps to reduce lines and wrinkles by tightening and toning skin, accelerates the healing of blemishes, skin ulcers and wounds, and stimulates cell regeneration. For anti-aging benefits, put several drops into your favorite night time moisturizer. For acne and blemishes, apply it neat directly on the problem area, unless you have very sensitive skin, then dilute. Use frankincense oil to help calm and center the mind, to promote spiritual awareness, and to cultivate a sense of inner peace while meditating. Frankincense contains compounds known as sesquiterpenes which work directly on the limbic system of the brain, the center of memory and emotions. Frankincense is calming, grounding, and centering to the nervous system. Diffuse it into your room, or just inhale directly from the bottle at the start of your meditation.   Is Frankincense Oil Safe? Yes, frankincense oil is generally safe. Just make sure to undergo an allergen patch test before applying frankincense oil topically to see if you have any sensitivity to this oil.   For some groups of people, frankincense oil isn’t recommended, since it may trigger adverse reactions. If you’re pregnant or nursing, avoid using frankincense oil because it may trigger contractions, prompt menstruation and lead to a miscarriage. As for children, there is very limited information regarding the potential use of this oil for this age group, so if you’re a parent or guardian, do not let them use this oil.   How to Dilute Essential Oils Although essential oils can be used neat (undiluted) in many cases, it is best (and more economical) to dilute essential oils before applying them to the body. Add a drop or two of your chosen oil to one-half to one teaspoonful of an organic carrier oil such as coconut, almond, hemp, or jojoba.   If using with children or pets, use even less essential oil because their smaller bodies cannot tolerate an adult dose. It’s best to consult a qualified aromatherapist before using essential oils with pets or children.    A Final Word About Quality Always choose high quality, organic essential oil that has been properly distilled so that its phytochemical content is not compromised. Look for bottles labeled 100% pure oil and beware of cheap oils that may be diluted with potentially toxic chemical ingredients.   In addition to the powerful essential oils we touched on today, Organixx carries 6 more beautiful single oils just as powerful and effective to help you maintain optimal health; Orange, Grapefruit, Oregano, Geranium Rose, Rosemary, and Clove.       Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx Essential Oils - 100% Pure, Organic, Non-GMO https://organixx.com/essential-oils/?gl=5d88df4d02e26b7621380839   1 Comparative studies of cytotoxic and apoptotic properties of different extracts and the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia on malignant and normal cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24571090   2 Immunomodulatory activity of biopolymeric fraction BOS 2000 from Boswellia serrata. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18167047   3 Insecticidal Activity of Melaleuca alternifolia Essential Oil and RNA-Seq Analysis of Sitophilus zeamais Transcriptome in Response to Oil Fumigation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27936192   4 A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798   National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy – Safety Information https://naha.org/index.php/explore-aromatherapy/safety#pregnancy             Subscribe to Empowering You Organically 
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    Empowering you Organically - Season 7 – Episode 58 Title: Youthful Skin Secrets: Top 10 Reasons to Use a Vitamin C Serum in Your Skin Regimen Hosts: Jonathan Hunsaker, TeriAnn Trevenen Guest: None Description:  Are you wondering why we’re so excited about our new vitamin C serum, Restore? Aside from the purity of this amazing elixir for your face we’re diving into the top 10 reasons you want, really really want, a vitamin c serum in your daily skincare regimen. And just wait until you hear the BONUS reason.   * * *   Featured Product RESTORE - Vitamin C Serum   * * * Ready for a little vocabulary lesson? senescence  -  / suh·neh·sns/ [link to pronunciation] noun Used in: BIOLOGY the condition or process of deterioration with age. loss of a cell's power of division and growth.   When it comes to our skin, we spend an inordinate amount of money battling – because it feels like a battle sometimes – the telltale signs of aging, but how effective are the products?   This is something we’ve been curious about and we researched. Boy, did we research. In episodes 55 and 56 we discussed the Top 12 Ingredients to Avoid in your personal care products. This week we do a deep dive into the anti-aging of our skin and shine the spotlight on Vitamin C Serums.   What’s a vitamin C serum? If you are over 30 and actively trying to combat the signs of aging, you’ve likely heard of vitamin C serum.   Essentially, vitamin C serum is an oil- and water-based liquid that contains highly concentrated amounts of vitamin C.   Serums are different from cremes and other products with vitamin C because of the significantly higher concentrations, which allow people to get the most out of the product and see more noticeable results.    Vitamin C is touted as one of the best anti-aging ingredients on the market — and the key to maintaining a smooth, even, and glowy complexion.   Although you’re probably getting vitamin C in your diet, there’s no way to guarantee that it’s going straight to your skin. Using serums and other topical products is the most direct way to reap these benefits.   Not All Serums Are Alike First, let's take a look at what basic characteristics an ideal Vitamin C serum should have: It needs to have 15% to 20% Vitamin C. Has to be Paraben-free and contain no colorants or fragrances in order to protect the efficacy of the Vitamin C. Be combined with Vitamin E to achieve the best results. Contain Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, or preferably both to make the serum super effective. Be manufactured in protective packaging in order to delay the oxidization of the serum. Another point that we’d like to make has to do with the size of the Vitamin C serum bottle. Most common sizes are at 1oz. Based on personal experience, usually one can go through 75% of the 1 oz bottle before it starts to oxidize. Purchasing a 2oz or a 3oz bottle means you’re throwing your money down the drain!   Top 10 Reasons Your Skin Wants a Vitamin C Serum It’s safe for most skin types Many people opt for topical vitamin C as opposed to other chemical serums and skin care products because vitamin C serum is completely natural. There is no concern about how your skin is going to react because there are no harsh chemicals or other questionable ingredients. As a result, vitamin C serums are formulated and infused to be gentle enough for everyday use. The same simply cannot be said of many other skin care products on the market. Promotes collagen production We did an episode on collagens, Episode #15, and it’s been extremely popular. We think it’s partly due to the fact that the bane of any woman’s existence are fine lines and wrinkles. But rather than give into the abyss of aging, the regular use of vitamin C products can combat their very appearance because of their concentrated levels of antioxidant-rich vitamin C, which helps boost collagen production, filling in fine lines and wrinkles. As a result, you may find that you have more youthful looking skin without the need for any expensive and potentially risky cosmetic work! Top that by adding our Clean Sourced Collagens into your daily diet and you have a one-two punch! Protects skin from sun damage In addition to its anti-aging benefits, topical vitamin C is also great for protecting your skin from damage—especially from the sun's UVA and UVB rays. That's because vitamin C is an antioxidant, so it naturally helps to strengthen your skin and repel things that could damage it. Of course, topical vitamin C should not be considered an alternative to wearing sunscreen, but when combined with regular sunscreen application, it can really work wonders for your skin. Reduces under-eye circles Vitamin C has also been found to help even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of under-eye circles. This is great for those who are tired of trying to conceal the dark circles under their eyes and want to enjoy a more youthful, bright, and vibrant appearance. Speeds up healing Studies have also found that high levels of Vitamin C can help to speed up the body's natural healing processes. This makes it ideal for use on the face and other areas of skin, as it can help to heal small cuts, acne scars, and other blemishes more quickly and effectively. Reduces skin discoloration If you suffer from skin redness or other discoloration of the skin, then a quality vitamin C serum may also be able to help you achieve a more uniform skin tone and better complexion. Specifically, vitamin C is great for reducing embarrassing redness. With just a few uses, you may find that you have a more even skin tone. Keeps skin looking and feeling younger No matter what your age, it's always a good idea to be preemptive about avoiding wrinkles, sagging skin, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Vitamin C can help your skin look younger for longer, not only by stimulating collagen production, but by evening out your skin tone and brightening your complexion as well. Improves hydration and moisture If you suffer from dry skin, vitamin C is a must. This is especially true if you have tried using moisturizers and cremes in the past, only to find that your skin is still dry and flaky. With topical vitamin C products, you can enjoy the high concentration of vitamins that your body truly needs to improve moisture content and overall hydration. Creates brighter, healthier skin In addition to improving your skin's overall complexion, vitamin C can brighten otherwise dull skin, allowing it to look healthier and more vibrant. Strong concentrations of this vitamin leave the skin looking and feeling replenished and revitalized. Reduces Inflammation It has also been found that vitamin C, in high enough concentrations, has inflammation-reducing qualities. This is ideal for people who tend to wake up in the morning with unsightly puffiness around the eyes or other areas of the skin/face. A little bit of vitamin C serum can go a long way here. BONUS Benefit! Because who doesn’t like a bonus?! Speeds Up Healing of Sunburns in addition to protecting your skin from sun damage, vitamin C can also be effective in helping to speed up healing of sunburns. Apply some after you have been sun burned, and the vitamins will help to promote faster healing so you can get rid of redness and find relief from itching, burning, and other symptoms associated with sunburn. These are just some of the many benefits of vitamin C as it pertains to your skin and face. And while it's easy to go out and find lotions, cremes, and other moisturizers at your local drug store that claim to contain vitamin C, it's important to realize that your skin needs a very high concentration of this vitamin in order to see results. This is why you're encouraged to use concentrated serums rather than a basic creme or lotion.   Where Can You Get A Good Vitamin C Serum? The reason that we went down this rabbit hole is because we got a lot of emails asking about skincare, and just like supplements, once we started investigating, the truth was disturbing. And so, we felt inspired to go down that rabbit hole as far as we could and actually create our own vitamin C serum that followed all of our guidelines.  We made sure that it had zero preservatives, has more vitamin C, and a clean, organic vitamin C than anything else out on the market.  Hyaluronic acid.  It has amazing ingredients inside of our vitamin C serum that you’re not going to find anywhere else.    * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Hyaluronic Acid https://www.verywellhealth.com/hyaluronic-acid-supplements-89465   Ferulic Acid https://www.healthline.com/health/ferulic-acid   Vitamin E https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002406.htm   Collagen https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881.php   Empowering You Organically Podcast on Collagen https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/collagens-hype-or-healthy-episode-15/   Empowering You Organically Podcast on Skincare Part 1 – Top 12 Skincare Ingredients That Are Slowly Killing You Part 2 – Top 12 Skincare Ingredients That Are Slowly Killing You   Organixx Vitamin C Serum https://organixx.com/skin-restore?gl=5db097ce02e26bf576c26cd0     Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS  

 Are you wondering why we’re so excited about our new vitamin C serum, Restore? Aside from the purity of this amazing elixir for your face we’re diving into the top 10 reasons you want, really really want, a vitamin c serum in your daily skincare regimen. And just wait until you hear the BONUS reason.   * * *  Featured Product RESTORE - Vitamin C Serum * * * Ready for a little vocabulary lesson? senescence  -  / suh·neh·sns/ [link to pronunciation] noun Used in: BIOLOGY the condition or process of deterioration with age. loss of a cell's power of division and growth.   When it comes to our skin, we spend an inordinate amount of money battling – because it feels like a battle sometimes – the telltale signs of aging, but how effective are the products?   This is something we’ve been curious about and we researched. Boy, did we research. In episodes 55 and 56 we discussed the Top 12 Ingredients to Avoid in your personal care products. This week we do a deep dive into the anti-aging of our skin and shine the spotlight on Vitamin C Serums.   What’s a vitamin C serum? If you are over 30 and actively trying to combat the signs of aging, you’ve likely heard of vitamin C serum.   Essentially, vitamin C serum is an oil- and water-based liquid that contains highly concentrated amounts of vitamin C.   Serums are different from cremes and other products with vitamin C because of the significantly higher concentrations, which allow people to get the most out of the product and see more noticeable results.    Vitamin C is touted as one of the best anti-aging ingredients on the market — and the key to maintaining a smooth, even, and glowy complexion.   Although you’re probably getting vitamin C in your diet, there’s no way to guarantee that it’s going straight to your skin. Using serums and other topical products is the most direct way to reap these benefits.   Not All Serums Are Alike First, let's take a look at what basic characteristics an ideal Vitamin C serum should have: It needs to have 15% to 20% Vitamin C. Has to be Paraben-free and contain no colorants or fragrances in order to protect the efficacy of the Vitamin C. Be combined with Vitamin E to achieve the best results. Contain Hyaluronic Acid, Ferulic Acid, or preferably both to make the serum super effective. Be manufactured in protective packaging in order to delay the oxidization of the serum. Another point that we’d like to make has to do with the size of the Vitamin C serum bottle. Most common sizes are at 1oz. Based on personal experience, usually one can go through 75% of the 1 oz bottle before it starts to oxidize. Purchasing a 2oz or a 3oz bottle means you’re throwing your money down the drain!   Top 10 Reasons Your Skin Wants a Vitamin C Serum It’s safe for most skin types Many people opt for topical vitamin C as opposed to other chemical serums and skin care products because vitamin C serum is completely natural. There is no concern about how your skin is going to react because there are no harsh chemicals or other questionable ingredients. As a result, vitamin C serums are formulated and infused to be gentle enough for everyday use. The same simply cannot be said of many other skin care products on the market. Promotes collagen production We did an episode on collagens, Episode #15, and it’s been extremely popular. We think it’s partly due to the fact that the bane of any woman’s existence are fine lines and wrinkles. But rather than give into the abyss of aging, the regular use of vitamin C products can combat their very appearance because of their concentrated levels of antioxidant-rich vitamin C, which helps boost collagen production, filling in fine lines and wrinkles. As a result, you may find that you have more youthful looking skin without the need for any expensive and potentially risky cosmetic work! Top that by adding our Clean Sourced Collagens into your daily diet and you have a one-two punch! Protects skin from sun damage In addition to its anti-aging benefits, topical vitamin C is also great for protecting your skin from damage—especially from the sun's UVA and UVB rays. That's because vitamin C is an antioxidant, so it naturally helps to strengthen your skin and repel things that could damage it. Of course, topical vitamin C should not be considered an alternative to wearing sunscreen, but when combined with regular sunscreen application, it can really work wonders for your skin. Reduces under-eye circles Vitamin C has also been found to help even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of under-eye circles. This is great for those who are tired of trying to conceal the dark circles under their eyes and want to enjoy a more youthful, bright, and vibrant appearance. Speeds up healing Studies have also found that high levels of Vitamin C can help to speed up the body's natural healing processes. This makes it ideal for use on the face and other areas of skin, as it can help to heal small cuts, acne scars, and other blemishes more quickly and effectively. Reduces skin discoloration If you suffer from skin redness or other discoloration of the skin, then a quality vitamin C serum may also be able to help you achieve a more uniform skin tone and better complexion. Specifically, vitamin C is great for reducing embarrassing redness. With just a few uses, you may find that you have a more even skin tone. Keeps skin looking and feeling younger No matter what your age, it's always a good idea to be preemptive about avoiding wrinkles, sagging skin, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Vitamin C can help your skin look younger for longer, not only by stimulating collagen production, but by evening out your skin tone and brightening your complexion as well. Improves hydration and moisture If you suffer from dry skin, vitamin C is a must. This is especially true if you have tried using moisturizers and cremes in the past, only to find that your skin is still dry and flaky. With topical vitamin C products, you can enjoy the high concentration of vitamins that your body truly needs to improve moisture content and overall hydration. Creates brighter, healthier skin In addition to improving your skin's overall complexion, vitamin C can brighten otherwise dull skin, allowing it to look healthier and more vibrant. Strong concentrations of this vitamin leave the skin looking and feeling replenished and revitalized. Reduces Inflammation It has also been found that vitamin C, in high enough concentrations, has inflammation-reducing qualities. This is ideal for people who tend to wake up in the morning with unsightly puffiness around the eyes or other areas of the skin/face. A little bit of vitamin C serum can go a long way here. BONUS Benefit! Because who doesn’t like a bonus?! Speeds Up Healing of Sunburns in addition to protecting your skin from sun damage, vitamin C can also be effective in helping to speed up healing of sunburns. Apply some after you have been sun burned, and the vitamins will help to promote faster healing so you can get rid of redness and find relief from itching, burning, and other symptoms associated with sunburn. These are just some of the many benefits of vitamin C as it pertains to your skin and face. And while it's easy to go out and find lotions, cremes, and other moisturizers at your local drug store that claim to contain vitamin C, it's important to realize that your skin needs a very high concentration of this vitamin in order to see results. This is why you're encouraged to use concentrated serums rather than a basic creme or lotion.   Where Can You Get A Good Vitamin C Serum? The reason that we went down this rabbit hole is because we got a lot of emails asking about skincare, and just like supplements, once we started investigating, the truth was disturbing. And so, we felt inspired to go down that rabbit hole as far as we could and actually create our own vitamin C serum that followed all of our guidelines.  We made sure that it had zero preservatives, has more vitamin C, and a clean, organic vitamin C than anything else out on the market.  Hyaluronic acid.  It has amazing ingredients inside of our vitamin C serum that you’re not going to find anywhere else.    * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Hyaluronic Acid https://www.verywellhealth.com/hyaluronic-acid-supplements-89465   Ferulic Acid https://www.healthline.com/health/ferulic-acid   Vitamin E https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002406.htm   Collagen https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/262881.php   Empowering You Organically Podcast on Collagen https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/collagens-hype-or-healthy-episode-15/   Empowering You Organically Podcast on Skincare Part 1 – Top 12 Skincare Ingredients That Are Slowly Killing You Part 2 – Top 12 Skincare Ingredients That Are Slowly Killing You   Organixx Vitamin C Serum https://organixx.com/skin-restore?gl=5db097ce02e26bf576c26cd0     Subscribe to Empowering You Organically  Never miss an episode!    APPLE PODCASTS                 SPOTIFY                 GOOGLE PODCASTS  

Join Jonathan and Wade Lightheart today as he helps us understand enzymes. What they do, why they’re considered micro miracles, and how your health depends on them. Plus, Wade helps us understand what we want to look for in a supplement. You don’t want to miss this one!   FEATURED PRODUCT Organixx P3E From whole-food plant-based to ketogenic - no matter what kind of food you're eating. FIVE kinds of powerful protease enzymes in combination with some of the most potent additional enzymes. When they’re combined in AstraZymeÒ, they become even more powerful and help regulate protein transport to your muscles all the way down at the DNA level. You’re going to be amazed at how much things change when you start taking Organixx P3E.   When you take P3E every single day, you’ll get:  Increased energy (without the mid-day slump!) Increased nutrient absorption No more constipation, gas, bloating, and even acid reflux Better sleep A stronger immune system No more brain fog…   * * * About Wade Lightheart 3-Time Canadian All Natural Bodybuilding Champion who competed as vegetarian, former Mr. Universe Competitor, host of The Awesome Health podcast, Wade Lightheart is one of the world’s premier authorities on Natural Nutrition and Training Methods. Having majored in Sports Science at the University of New Brunswick, he has authored numerous books on health, nutrition and exercise which have sold in over 80 countries. Wade also serves as an advisor to the American Anti-Cancer Institute. He’s been in the health industry for over 25 years, coached thousands of clients, and is sought out by athletes and high-performance oriented individuals worldwide for his advice on how to optimize their health and fitness levels.   What Are Enzymes? ENZYME - noun BIOCHEMISTRY a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. There are approximately 25,000 different enzymatic functions in the body The number of enzymes that you have present in your body is directly proportion to the amount of chemical reactions that you can engage in in the body. The difference between stones, plants, and people is enzymes, the amount and the role of those enzymes. They are the most critical component to all metabolic transactions.   Enzyme Bank It's like having a bank account. In other words, your ability to write metabolic checks, to build, to repair, to heal, to digest your food, to make your hormones work, to break down the smallest chemical reactions, to make your skin nice, you name it, requires an enzymatic pathway.   Our Current Food Supply is Lacking In today's world, we've radically compromised the amount of enzymes that we're getting from our food, the quality of those enzymes, and we've added a host of agents that actually interrupt our body's natural enzymatic mechanisms and that is having consequences across the globe that are extremely dire.   Pottenger & His Cats Francis Pottenger, Jr, MD, has given the cat world one of the best books available in the study of carnivore's nutrition. From 1932 to 1942, Dr. Francis Marion Pottenger Jr. conducted a group of experiments to determine the effects of heat-processed food on cats. Cats fed an all-raw diet were healthy while cats fed the cooked meat diet developed various health problems. At the time of Pottenger’s studies the heat labile amino acid taurine had not yet been identified as essential for cats. This work shows that the deficiencies Pottenger identified in cats correspond with those of a taurine deficiency and are the direct result of the lack of taurine in the feline diet. The physiological effects of a cooked diet described by Pottenger in his papers were compared with data from recent studies on taurine deficiency in the feline diet. Results. Pottenger’s main observations of near and far sightedness, cardiac lesions, increased stillbirth, low birthweight, poor kitten survival, and developmental abnormalities each correspond to published descriptions of taurine deficiency in cats with multiple references for each described condition. Taurine deficiency is a strong explanation for the symptoms observed by Pottenger in his cat studies. Pottenger’s own conclusion that there was an ‘as yet unidentified, heat-labile protein factor’ is realized in taurine.   4 Major Types of Enzymes There are four major categories of enzymes and then there are derivatives of each, Proteases which break down protein, lipase which breaks down fats, amylase which breaks down carbohydrates, and cellulase which breaks down fiber in plants.   What happens if I don't have the protease in my body to break down the all the protein that I'm ingesting? Gas Bloating Skin problems Brain fog The reason? Because you're feeding bad bacteria who are producing a variety of endotoxins inside the body that are interrupting your natural activity.   Disturbing Statistics from Wade’s Research In America today, 12% of the emergency hospital visits are related to gastrointestinal related illnesses. People going to the hospital in an ambulance because they're not breaking down their food.   A third of the population is suffering from digestive illness on any given day. And about 25% of the population is on prescription meds for this. And the correlation between digestive disease and depression and challenges for brain function, because most of your neurotransmitters are built off amino acids that got to be broken down and transported from the gut to your brain is directly correlated with the lack of enzymes.   What to look for in an enzyme supplement? Make sure it's at least half full of proteolytic enzymes and you want at least three proteases. The 3.0 the 4.5 and the 6.0 which relate to the spectrum within the pH band. You want to make sure it has up in that that range of like 70-80,000 HUT (One FCC HUT unit of proteolytic (protease) activity is defined as that amount of enzyme that produces, in one minute under the specified conditions, a hydrolysate whose absorbance at 275nm is the same as that of a solution containing 1.10 g per mL of tyrosine in 0.006N hydrochloric acid. Contains cultured enzymes. Broad spectrum. Contains AstraZymeÒ   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx P3E Enzymes https://organixx.com/p3e?gl=5e29babe02e26bdb05020909   Pottenger’s Cats - Research https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6d5a/ae7b70dbbad5b25f8fa99e8d33c630366082.pdf   National Center for Health Statistics https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/digestive-diseases.htm   Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/digestive-diseases   Collagens: Hype or Healthy – Episode 15 https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/collagens-hype-or-healthy-episode-15/?gl=5d37204c02e26bc012183af2

Join Jonathan and Wade Lightheart today as he helps us understand enzymes. What they do, why they’re considered micro miracles, and how your health depends on them. Plus, Wade helps us understand what we want to look for in a supplement. You don’t want to miss this one!   FEATURED PRODUCT Organixx P3E From whole-food plant-based to ketogenic - no matter what kind of food you're eating. FIVE kinds of powerful protease enzymes in combination with some of the most potent additional enzymes. When they’re combined in AstraZymeÒ, they become even more powerful and help regulate protein transport to your muscles all the way down at the DNA level. You’re going to be amazed at how much things change when you start taking Organixx P3E.   When you take P3E every single day, you’ll get:  Increased energy (without the mid-day slump!) Increased nutrient absorption No more constipation, gas, bloating, and even acid reflux Better sleep A stronger immune system No more brain fog…   * * * About Wade Lightheart 3-Time Canadian All Natural Bodybuilding Champion who competed as vegetarian, former Mr. Universe Competitor, host of The Awesome Health podcast, Wade Lightheart is one of the world’s premier authorities on Natural Nutrition and Training Methods. Having majored in Sports Science at the University of New Brunswick, he has authored numerous books on health, nutrition and exercise which have sold in over 80 countries. Wade also serves as an advisor to the American Anti-Cancer Institute. He’s been in the health industry for over 25 years, coached thousands of clients, and is sought out by athletes and high-performance oriented individuals worldwide for his advice on how to optimize their health and fitness levels.   What Are Enzymes? ENZYME - noun BIOCHEMISTRY a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction. There are approximately 25,000 different enzymatic functions in the body The number of enzymes that you have present in your body is directly proportion to the amount of chemical reactions that you can engage in in the body. The difference between stones, plants, and people is enzymes, the amount and the role of those enzymes. They are the most critical component to all metabolic transactions.   Enzyme Bank It's like having a bank account. In other words, your ability to write metabolic checks, to build, to repair, to heal, to digest your food, to make your hormones work, to break down the smallest chemical reactions, to make your skin nice, you name it, requires an enzymatic pathway.   Our Current Food Supply is Lacking In today's world, we've radically compromised the amount of enzymes that we're getting from our food, the quality of those enzymes, and we've added a host of agents that actually interrupt our body's natural enzymatic mechanisms and that is having consequences across the globe that are extremely dire.   Pottenger & His Cats Francis Pottenger, Jr, MD, has given the cat world one of the best books available in the study of carnivore's nutrition. From 1932 to 1942, Dr. Francis Marion Pottenger Jr. conducted a group of experiments to determine the effects of heat-processed food on cats. Cats fed an all-raw diet were healthy while cats fed the cooked meat diet developed various health problems. At the time of Pottenger’s studies the heat labile amino acid taurine had not yet been identified as essential for cats. This work shows that the deficiencies Pottenger identified in cats correspond with those of a taurine deficiency and are the direct result of the lack of taurine in the feline diet. The physiological effects of a cooked diet described by Pottenger in his papers were compared with data from recent studies on taurine deficiency in the feline diet. Results. Pottenger’s main observations of near and far sightedness, cardiac lesions, increased stillbirth, low birthweight, poor kitten survival, and developmental abnormalities each correspond to published descriptions of taurine deficiency in cats with multiple references for each described condition. Taurine deficiency is a strong explanation for the symptoms observed by Pottenger in his cat studies. Pottenger’s own conclusion that there was an ‘as yet unidentified, heat-labile protein factor’ is realized in taurine.   4 Major Types of Enzymes There are four major categories of enzymes and then there are derivatives of each, Proteases which break down protein, lipase which breaks down fats, amylase which breaks down carbohydrates, and cellulase which breaks down fiber in plants.   What happens if I don't have the protease in my body to break down the all the protein that I'm ingesting? Gas Bloating Skin problems Brain fog The reason? Because you're feeding bad bacteria who are producing a variety of endotoxins inside the body that are interrupting your natural activity.   Disturbing Statistics from Wade’s Research In America today, 12% of the emergency hospital visits are related to gastrointestinal related illnesses. People going to the hospital in an ambulance because they're not breaking down their food.   A third of the population is suffering from digestive illness on any given day. And about 25% of the population is on prescription meds for this. And the correlation between digestive disease and depression and challenges for brain function, because most of your neurotransmitters are built off amino acids that got to be broken down and transported from the gut to your brain is directly correlated with the lack of enzymes.   What to look for in an enzyme supplement? Make sure it's at least half full of proteolytic enzymes and you want at least three proteases. The 3.0 the 4.5 and the 6.0 which relate to the spectrum within the pH band. You want to make sure it has up in that that range of like 70-80,000 HUT (One FCC HUT unit of proteolytic (protease) activity is defined as that amount of enzyme that produces, in one minute under the specified conditions, a hydrolysate whose absorbance at 275nm is the same as that of a solution containing 1.10 g per mL of tyrosine in 0.006N hydrochloric acid. Contains cultured enzymes. Broad spectrum. Contains AstraZymeÒ   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Organixx P3E Enzymes https://organixx.com/p3e?gl=5e29babe02e26bdb05020909   Pottenger’s Cats - Research https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6d5a/ae7b70dbbad5b25f8fa99e8d33c630366082.pdf   National Center for Health Statistics https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/digestive-diseases.htm   Digestive Diseases Statistics for the United States https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/digestive-diseases   Collagens: Hype or Healthy – Episode 15 https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/collagens-hype-or-healthy-episode-15/?gl=5d37204c02e26bc012183af2

Back to Life Program and how people listening can get relief from back pain.   Featured Product Turmeric 3D The ultimate support for healthy inflammation levels. Pure, powerful, organic fermented turmeric. Fermentation maximizes your body’s intake of nutrients. Also provides you fermented vitamin D3! Supports healthy inflammation levels   * * *   About Emily Emily Lark is a speaker, author, studio owner, and creator of the internationally bestselling program Back to Life.  After living most of her life with debilitating back pain, Emily created a method to naturally heal back pain that has now helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world.  Back to Life is so simple that anyone can do it from home in just minutes a day and it has quickly become the #1 healthy back DVD program in the world.   Back Pain Statistics Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year—that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives   Emily’s one thing that most people are doing wrong when it comes to chronic pain. “I think one of the key things that people are missing when it comes to chronic pain, I think the biggest thing that people are missing is the strength-building, too, because if we can strengthen the muscles to support our skeletal system, then they don’t start feeling that pain, the joints have more life to them.”   The worst back pain advice that many doctors are still giving. Most of us, when we injure ourselves, when we’re in pain, we think that what we need to do is just kind of rest. But now, we’re really starting to find that movement is actually the fastest route to healing in most cases.   Emily’s Top 3 Stretches to Stop Back Pain. Neck and shoulders Doorway stretch, where you go into a doorway with your elbows on the side like goalposts, you lean the chest forward, and you hold for just 30 seconds. Then, you can work your elbows up a little bit, you can work them down.  But you want to feel that stretch in the front of the chest.  I try to tell people to remember to do it just three times a day.  Get up for 30 seconds and stretch that out.  Your core (your abdominal muscles, specifically the ones in the lower abdomen region) All you do is sit up really tall, and then you just lift one knee up and pull the belly in. And you lower it down and lift the other one up.  That’s going to activate those lower abdominal muscles.  You can do a marching movement; you can lift and hold.  Your spine Try to move the spine in all six directions at least once a day. And so, that would be a forward bend, a back bend, side bend to the right, side bend to the left, and then a twist, and a twist.    Stretching Tips You want to ease into it, because if you try to push too hard into a stretch, your body actually gives the opposite reaction of tensing up the muscles. Start in a stretch where you feel that edge, but you’re not feeling any pain, you’re not feeling horrible amounts of tension. And then using the breath, breathing in and out through the nose, actually has a very calming effect on the nervous system and it actually, if you think of your breath kind of communicating directly with your muscles, that will help the muscles start to release.  Rather than pushing them into it, try to breathe into those muscles. You always want to hold a stretch for at least 30 seconds. That’s kind of like the magic timeframe, where if you hold for 30 seconds, that’s where you’re going to get the most bang for your buck.  Anything less than 30 seconds, they’ve shown you don’t actually really increase your flexibility.    Don’t Forget to Warm Up If you haven’t moved at all yet in the morning, absolutely, you can go into some gentle morning stretches, but don’t push the body if it’s the first thing you’re doing. If you’ve been moving around throughout your day, your body is kind of warmed up, and then you can go into it a little bit more.    What back pain is really telling us. “I think the worst thing that we can do is just try to medicate and numb the pain out. Because clearly, if we’re in pain, our body’s trying to tell us something.” ~Emily  People often think that it’s our strong muscles that are the ones that are the tight ones. It’s actually the opposite that’s true.  The weaker the muscles are, the tighter they get.    Simple daily tips to help with back pain like how to stand, sit and sleep. Stacking your posture When you’re standing, always try to stand with your feet lined up with your hip bones, with your toes straight forward. Standing with the feet straight forward, and then slightly lifting your arches, you’ll feel the ankles stop rolling together, and the knees stop knocking together.  From there, we kind of work our way up to the low belly. I always advise people, as much as we can remember, try to draw the low belly in.  We want the shoulders to draw back right over the hips rather than forward. Then, we want to draw the ears back right over the shoulders. And a great test for this, to see if you’re standing up as tall as you could be, is to go stand with your back against a wall and try to see if you can get your shoulder blades to touch the wall, the back of your head to touch the wall at the same time, and then here’s the kicker, see if you can get your low ribs to touch the wall at the same time.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   INSPIRED Library Articles on Back Pain https://organixx.com/?s=BACK+PAIN   Organixx – Clean Sourced Collagens https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/QDxYPYGKBx7qmdyvdnGm?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec8202e26bb740380841   Organixx – Turmeric 3D https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/OobbS9ROAoETfnAGmGDF?ch-tn-box=first-box&gl=5d8908c502e26b5f0c38083c   Emily’s Website https://www.emilylark.com/about-emily   Emily’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmilyLarkOfficial/   Back to Life Program https://www.healthybacksystem.com/organixx   Back Pain Statistics https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/What-is-Chiropractic/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics

Back to Life Program and how people listening can get relief from back pain.   Featured Product Turmeric 3D The ultimate support for healthy inflammation levels. Pure, powerful, organic fermented turmeric. Fermentation maximizes your body’s intake of nutrients. Also provides you fermented vitamin D3! Supports healthy inflammation levels   * * *   About Emily Emily Lark is a speaker, author, studio owner, and creator of the internationally bestselling program Back to Life.  After living most of her life with debilitating back pain, Emily created a method to naturally heal back pain that has now helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world.  Back to Life is so simple that anyone can do it from home in just minutes a day and it has quickly become the #1 healthy back DVD program in the world.   Back Pain Statistics Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days in one year—that’s two work days for every full-time worker in the country. Experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some time in their lives   Emily’s one thing that most people are doing wrong when it comes to chronic pain. “I think one of the key things that people are missing when it comes to chronic pain, I think the biggest thing that people are missing is the strength-building, too, because if we can strengthen the muscles to support our skeletal system, then they don’t start feeling that pain, the joints have more life to them.”   The worst back pain advice that many doctors are still giving. Most of us, when we injure ourselves, when we’re in pain, we think that what we need to do is just kind of rest. But now, we’re really starting to find that movement is actually the fastest route to healing in most cases.   Emily’s Top 3 Stretches to Stop Back Pain. Neck and shoulders Doorway stretch, where you go into a doorway with your elbows on the side like goalposts, you lean the chest forward, and you hold for just 30 seconds. Then, you can work your elbows up a little bit, you can work them down.  But you want to feel that stretch in the front of the chest.  I try to tell people to remember to do it just three times a day.  Get up for 30 seconds and stretch that out.  Your core (your abdominal muscles, specifically the ones in the lower abdomen region) All you do is sit up really tall, and then you just lift one knee up and pull the belly in. And you lower it down and lift the other one up.  That’s going to activate those lower abdominal muscles.  You can do a marching movement; you can lift and hold.  Your spine Try to move the spine in all six directions at least once a day. And so, that would be a forward bend, a back bend, side bend to the right, side bend to the left, and then a twist, and a twist.    Stretching Tips You want to ease into it, because if you try to push too hard into a stretch, your body actually gives the opposite reaction of tensing up the muscles. Start in a stretch where you feel that edge, but you’re not feeling any pain, you’re not feeling horrible amounts of tension. And then using the breath, breathing in and out through the nose, actually has a very calming effect on the nervous system and it actually, if you think of your breath kind of communicating directly with your muscles, that will help the muscles start to release.  Rather than pushing them into it, try to breathe into those muscles. You always want to hold a stretch for at least 30 seconds. That’s kind of like the magic timeframe, where if you hold for 30 seconds, that’s where you’re going to get the most bang for your buck.  Anything less than 30 seconds, they’ve shown you don’t actually really increase your flexibility.    Don’t Forget to Warm Up If you haven’t moved at all yet in the morning, absolutely, you can go into some gentle morning stretches, but don’t push the body if it’s the first thing you’re doing. If you’ve been moving around throughout your day, your body is kind of warmed up, and then you can go into it a little bit more.    What back pain is really telling us. “I think the worst thing that we can do is just try to medicate and numb the pain out. Because clearly, if we’re in pain, our body’s trying to tell us something.” ~Emily  People often think that it’s our strong muscles that are the ones that are the tight ones. It’s actually the opposite that’s true.  The weaker the muscles are, the tighter they get.    Simple daily tips to help with back pain like how to stand, sit and sleep. Stacking your posture When you’re standing, always try to stand with your feet lined up with your hip bones, with your toes straight forward. Standing with the feet straight forward, and then slightly lifting your arches, you’ll feel the ankles stop rolling together, and the knees stop knocking together.  From there, we kind of work our way up to the low belly. I always advise people, as much as we can remember, try to draw the low belly in.  We want the shoulders to draw back right over the hips rather than forward. Then, we want to draw the ears back right over the shoulders. And a great test for this, to see if you’re standing up as tall as you could be, is to go stand with your back against a wall and try to see if you can get your shoulder blades to touch the wall, the back of your head to touch the wall at the same time, and then here’s the kicker, see if you can get your low ribs to touch the wall at the same time.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   INSPIRED Library Articles on Back Pain https://organixx.com/?s=BACK+PAIN   Organixx – Clean Sourced Collagens https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/QDxYPYGKBx7qmdyvdnGm?ch-tn-box=third-box&gl=5d88ec8202e26bb740380841   Organixx – Turmeric 3D https://shop.organixx.com/a/secure/checkout/OobbS9ROAoETfnAGmGDF?ch-tn-box=first-box&gl=5d8908c502e26b5f0c38083c   Emily’s Website https://www.emilylark.com/about-emily   Emily’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmilyLarkOfficial/   Back to Life Program https://www.healthybacksystem.com/organixx   Back Pain Statistics https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/What-is-Chiropractic/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics

Your closet needs a detox! Listen in as Brendan Synnott shares his passion for organic clothing. It’s not just for the cuddle factor either. Did you know that conventional cotton is widely known as the world’s dirtiest crop? Brendan is now taking on the $3 trillion apparel industry, the world’s second-largest polluter, as CEO of the organic fair-trade cotton apparel company, PACT.   Featured Product Multi-Vita-Maxx USDA Certified Organic multivitamin for adults and children 21 whole-food fermented vitamins and enzyme-activated minerals 35 organic superfoods and botanicals to nourish your entire body Doctor-formulated with absolutely ZERO synthetic ingredients Taste-free formula - just add to a glass of water or your favorite drink   * * *   About Brendan Brendan believes that by changing something as simple as your underwear, you can change the planet.  Having cofounded organic food brand Bear Naked Granola and selling it to Kellogg for more than 80 million in 2007, Brendan is now taking on the $3 trillion apparel industry, the world’s second-largest polluter, as CEO of the organic fair-trade cotton apparel company, PACT. Long before he started working to clean the dirty apparel industry, Brendan was advocating for natural products.  After college, he launched Bear Naked, the brand that helped kickstart a food revolution, disrupting the market dominance of companies that churned out junk food, as consumers latched on to the value of organic natural foods. After bootstrapping for years, he eventually sold Bear Naked to Kellogg’s for 80 million, and Brendan’s odyssey as an eco-conscious entrepreneur moved to pet food, with I and Love and You, organic, ready-made food with EVOL foods, sold for 48 million, and angel investing in innovative natural foods and consumer product businesses with Revelry Brands. Now with PACT, he’s leading a passionate team to change the apparel industry for the better, using organic cotton as the foundation for addressing the labor and environmental issues that surround clothing. Before building food and lifestyle brands from scratch, Brendan worked backstage at Saturday Night Live, and later joined the cast of CBS’s reality show, Survivor.  Between being blindsided on the world’s most popular reality show, working on live TV, and building and funding innovative food and lifestyle businesses, Brendan is also a proud father of four, including two adopted children.   * * *   How Brendan Got into This When I was like 11-12 years old, my grandfather had a heart attack.  I saw my grandfather go through it.  He radically changed his diet, and as I watched him radically change his diet, it just gave me a different kind of understanding of food and the impact of what you put in your body is going to impact how long you live, how strong you are, how you feel every day, how you wake up, how you go to the bathroom, all of it. When I was working at Saturday Night Live, I was off for the summertime, and I ran into a girl that I went to high school with, and she was selling granola in a local farmer’s market in Connecticut, and I was just like “Oh, I’ll help you go make it.  I’ll help you go sell it,” and she was making it in a local deli, and selling it, and I just helped her and enjoyed it. And she was like “Why don’t you buy half my company?”  And I bought half the company from her for $3,700.00. And so, we both moved back in with our parents, didn’t pay ourselves for the first two years, and took all the money and the proceeds that we had from the business and kind of dumped it into growing it, and had a great outcome in it, and selling it to Kellogg one day. After Bear Naked, I started a frozen food business, which is called EVOL Foods, which is love spelled backwards, and that was organic burritos, organic frozen pizza, just kind of ready-to-eat meals, and then, also started the pet food business, and then also started an organic candy business.  I’m always interested in white space and kind of taking on the next big thing, the next big giant, and trying to create a vehicle for consumers to go make change, and that’s what kind of led me to fashion, because it’s something that we wear every day.   Why Is It Important for Clothes to Be Organic? Your clothes are grown in the same fields as your food.  Cotton’s widely known as the world’s dirtiest crop, conventional cotton.  It’s responsible for like 25 percent of the world’s insecticides and 20 percent in pesticides, the combination, 20-25 percent of that.  Yet, cotton only takes up 7 percent of agricultural land.  And cotton is also incredibly thirsty crop.  It uses massive amounts of water. Your clothes are grown, too, that is unless you’re wearing a performance item.  I’d rather wear something that’s natural, something that’s organic, something that’s not plastic on my body every day. 70 percent of what’s in your closet is made out of cotton.  Cotton has to be turned into the fabric, then the fabric is dyed.  And through that dying process, people ingest chemicals into the dying process, when organic certification says they’re not injecting chemicals that are going to hurt you or that are toxic. One of the first solves that doctors say is start using organic cotton products, or organic clothing, because they’re going to have less, less residues from pesticides and other toxic materials as part of it, which could impact somebody that has sensitive skin.   Environmental Impact The apparel industry is actually the second biggest polluting industry on the planet, behind oil and gas. Apparel manufacturing is responsible for 25 percent of the world’s water pollution.   Two Benefits for Organic Cotton Organic cotton uses over 80 percent less water. When you’re growing the organic cotton, it uses less water because of the organic farming practices in terms of crop rotation and irrigation allow for a lot less water usage than genetically modified cotton that’s sprayed with a bunch of chemicals in order to make it grow. Waterways were destroyed by areas that were dying and fabricating textile production, because of the amount of water used to dye garments, and then the discharge of all those dyes was then going directly into water streams.   What to Look For “Oh, I make sustainable apparel.” Is it legitimate? What does that mean? Does that mean like one percent of the fabric content of your product is made of sustainable materials, or 99 percent of the ingredients are made of sustainable materials? Organic certification Organic farming practices are scientifically proven to be more sustainable than traditional farming practices in the apparel space. GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard That is kind of the gold standard of certification of organic practices throughout the supply chain, making sure that, all the way from the farm to the factory, and everywhere in between, is governed with organic practices, both in the farming piece of it as well as the dying piece of it. Even our warehouse has to be organic certified. The factory has to demonstrate capability of segregating organic and non-organic ingredients when they’re manufacturing products to ensure that there’s no cross-contamination.  There’s also a cleaning process of the factory equipment, and then there's also standards, standard operating procedures that have to happen within the factory to make sure that it’s a clean factory, people are being treated well, that the use of chemicals is not occurring where it could contaminate the organic ingredients. The only real difference is that we’re not edible, we’re not making edible cotton, but in terms of the chain of custody, the lack of kind of bad stuff as part of the process, and the lack of contamination as part of the process, all extremely similar to food.   The Human Aspect The one thing that’s different for us, and we haven’t touched on it, is just the other kind of really important part of apparel production, is the human aspect. At PACT, we say the people that wear our clothes are equal to the people that make our clothes. We utilize the Fair-Trade Standard. That’s to make sure that farmers are paid equal profits in terms of when people are buying their crops. Fair Trade also started to certify factories to make sure that women are treated equally to men, to make sure that they’re paid the appropriate wages, and then specifically, the fair trade premium that we pay into at all of our factories is money that doesn’t go to our factory and goes directly to the factory workers, that then they can choose how to spend it.   Labeling Products You’ll see the GOTS certification on the outside of the box, and then you’ll actually see it on the garment itself.   How Is It Being Received? I don’t think we’ve reached the tipping point now, but I’m so proud, if you go to like the New York Times, and pretty much every month now, in the New York Times, there’s an article about what your closet’s impact to the environment is, or how you can try to quit fast fashion. And there’s so much more awareness on it, and for the first time, for me, I feel that kind of like same wave that comes up behind you in all these categories that we did at the Bear Naked, you work, you work, you work, and then this giant wave comes behind you and just like lifts everything that you’re doing, and I feel that wave coming behind us right now. I think over the next 24 months, and over the next 12 months, there’s going to continue to be an acceleration of articles, stories, and educational pieces around what impact what people wear has, just because I just think culturally, it’s what we wear is so important to how we are seen, and so, just all of that kind of waking up. What’s also really helped us the past couple years is just people’s desire to shop online. We sell all of our product online.  We sell in Whole Foods, and then we sell 90 percent of our business is online.  That’s where the bulk of it is.  And selling online, direct to consumers, allows us to invest more in the ingredients, invest more in the certifications, make products in a better way, remove the middleman of traditional retail, and then give a better value to consumers, where they don’t have to pay more to do the right thing.   Clothing in Landfills How many pounds of clothing does the average person throw away in the landfill on a yearly basis? Over 80 pounds of clothing the average person throws away on a yearly basis. Why? Because they’re making stuff, “fast fashion” is making disposable clothing really cheap overseas that’s built to be worn once and thrown away. What we do at PACT is, every time you buy a product from us, we have a give back program. So, you can print out a free shipping label and take the box that you received our product in, or any other box that you want in your house, and then you can take your clothes, put them in that box, and then we will route them to a charity that needs them and try to reuse the garments, because ultimately, people are not throwing clothes away because they have holes in them or they’re not wearable anymore, they’re throwing them away because they’re done chasing that fashion.    What’s One Change People Could Make When It Comes to Their Clothes? Don’t buy anything new. Go find an authentic garment that was well-made from a long time ago and that’s been worn a bunch of times, and you go make it yours. Give your clothes to other people if you’re done with them.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Bear Naked Granola https://www.bearnaked.com/   PACT Clothing (Use coupon code OrganicCloset for 40% off) https://wearpact.com/   EVOL Foods https://www.evolfoods.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Evol_bing_Brand_BMM&utm_content=General&utm_keyword=evolproducts&utm_siteid=evol   Revelry Brands http://www.revelrybrands.com/   What is Fast Fashion? https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-fast-fashion   GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard https://www.global-standard.org/   Fair Trade Certified https://www.fairtradecertified.org/

Your closet needs a detox! Listen in as Brendan Synnott shares his passion for organic clothing. It’s not just for the cuddle factor either. Did you know that conventional cotton is widely known as the world’s dirtiest crop? Brendan is now taking on the $3 trillion apparel industry, the world’s second-largest polluter, as CEO of the organic fair-trade cotton apparel company, PACT.   Featured Product Multi-Vita-Maxx USDA Certified Organic multivitamin for adults and children 21 whole-food fermented vitamins and enzyme-activated minerals 35 organic superfoods and botanicals to nourish your entire body Doctor-formulated with absolutely ZERO synthetic ingredients Taste-free formula - just add to a glass of water or your favorite drink   * * *   About Brendan Brendan believes that by changing something as simple as your underwear, you can change the planet.  Having cofounded organic food brand Bear Naked Granola and selling it to Kellogg for more than 80 million in 2007, Brendan is now taking on the $3 trillion apparel industry, the world’s second-largest polluter, as CEO of the organic fair-trade cotton apparel company, PACT. Long before he started working to clean the dirty apparel industry, Brendan was advocating for natural products.  After college, he launched Bear Naked, the brand that helped kickstart a food revolution, disrupting the market dominance of companies that churned out junk food, as consumers latched on to the value of organic natural foods. After bootstrapping for years, he eventually sold Bear Naked to Kellogg’s for 80 million, and Brendan’s odyssey as an eco-conscious entrepreneur moved to pet food, with I and Love and You, organic, ready-made food with EVOL foods, sold for 48 million, and angel investing in innovative natural foods and consumer product businesses with Revelry Brands. Now with PACT, he’s leading a passionate team to change the apparel industry for the better, using organic cotton as the foundation for addressing the labor and environmental issues that surround clothing. Before building food and lifestyle brands from scratch, Brendan worked backstage at Saturday Night Live, and later joined the cast of CBS’s reality show, Survivor.  Between being blindsided on the world’s most popular reality show, working on live TV, and building and funding innovative food and lifestyle businesses, Brendan is also a proud father of four, including two adopted children.   * * *   How Brendan Got into This When I was like 11-12 years old, my grandfather had a heart attack.  I saw my grandfather go through it.  He radically changed his diet, and as I watched him radically change his diet, it just gave me a different kind of understanding of food and the impact of what you put in your body is going to impact how long you live, how strong you are, how you feel every day, how you wake up, how you go to the bathroom, all of it. When I was working at Saturday Night Live, I was off for the summertime, and I ran into a girl that I went to high school with, and she was selling granola in a local farmer’s market in Connecticut, and I was just like “Oh, I’ll help you go make it.  I’ll help you go sell it,” and she was making it in a local deli, and selling it, and I just helped her and enjoyed it. And she was like “Why don’t you buy half my company?”  And I bought half the company from her for $3,700.00. And so, we both moved back in with our parents, didn’t pay ourselves for the first two years, and took all the money and the proceeds that we had from the business and kind of dumped it into growing it, and had a great outcome in it, and selling it to Kellogg one day. After Bear Naked, I started a frozen food business, which is called EVOL Foods, which is love spelled backwards, and that was organic burritos, organic frozen pizza, just kind of ready-to-eat meals, and then, also started the pet food business, and then also started an organic candy business.  I’m always interested in white space and kind of taking on the next big thing, the next big giant, and trying to create a vehicle for consumers to go make change, and that’s what kind of led me to fashion, because it’s something that we wear every day.   Why Is It Important for Clothes to Be Organic? Your clothes are grown in the same fields as your food.  Cotton’s widely known as the world’s dirtiest crop, conventional cotton.  It’s responsible for like 25 percent of the world’s insecticides and 20 percent in pesticides, the combination, 20-25 percent of that.  Yet, cotton only takes up 7 percent of agricultural land.  And cotton is also incredibly thirsty crop.  It uses massive amounts of water. Your clothes are grown, too, that is unless you’re wearing a performance item.  I’d rather wear something that’s natural, something that’s organic, something that’s not plastic on my body every day. 70 percent of what’s in your closet is made out of cotton.  Cotton has to be turned into the fabric, then the fabric is dyed.  And through that dying process, people ingest chemicals into the dying process, when organic certification says they’re not injecting chemicals that are going to hurt you or that are toxic. One of the first solves that doctors say is start using organic cotton products, or organic clothing, because they’re going to have less, less residues from pesticides and other toxic materials as part of it, which could impact somebody that has sensitive skin.   Environmental Impact The apparel industry is actually the second biggest polluting industry on the planet, behind oil and gas. Apparel manufacturing is responsible for 25 percent of the world’s water pollution.   Two Benefits for Organic Cotton Organic cotton uses over 80 percent less water. When you’re growing the organic cotton, it uses less water because of the organic farming practices in terms of crop rotation and irrigation allow for a lot less water usage than genetically modified cotton that’s sprayed with a bunch of chemicals in order to make it grow. Waterways were destroyed by areas that were dying and fabricating textile production, because of the amount of water used to dye garments, and then the discharge of all those dyes was then going directly into water streams.   What to Look For “Oh, I make sustainable apparel.” Is it legitimate? What does that mean? Does that mean like one percent of the fabric content of your product is made of sustainable materials, or 99 percent of the ingredients are made of sustainable materials? Organic certification Organic farming practices are scientifically proven to be more sustainable than traditional farming practices in the apparel space. GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard That is kind of the gold standard of certification of organic practices throughout the supply chain, making sure that, all the way from the farm to the factory, and everywhere in between, is governed with organic practices, both in the farming piece of it as well as the dying piece of it. Even our warehouse has to be organic certified. The factory has to demonstrate capability of segregating organic and non-organic ingredients when they’re manufacturing products to ensure that there’s no cross-contamination.  There’s also a cleaning process of the factory equipment, and then there's also standards, standard operating procedures that have to happen within the factory to make sure that it’s a clean factory, people are being treated well, that the use of chemicals is not occurring where it could contaminate the organic ingredients. The only real difference is that we’re not edible, we’re not making edible cotton, but in terms of the chain of custody, the lack of kind of bad stuff as part of the process, and the lack of contamination as part of the process, all extremely similar to food.   The Human Aspect The one thing that’s different for us, and we haven’t touched on it, is just the other kind of really important part of apparel production, is the human aspect. At PACT, we say the people that wear our clothes are equal to the people that make our clothes. We utilize the Fair-Trade Standard. That’s to make sure that farmers are paid equal profits in terms of when people are buying their crops. Fair Trade also started to certify factories to make sure that women are treated equally to men, to make sure that they’re paid the appropriate wages, and then specifically, the fair trade premium that we pay into at all of our factories is money that doesn’t go to our factory and goes directly to the factory workers, that then they can choose how to spend it.   Labeling Products You’ll see the GOTS certification on the outside of the box, and then you’ll actually see it on the garment itself.   How Is It Being Received? I don’t think we’ve reached the tipping point now, but I’m so proud, if you go to like the New York Times, and pretty much every month now, in the New York Times, there’s an article about what your closet’s impact to the environment is, or how you can try to quit fast fashion. And there’s so much more awareness on it, and for the first time, for me, I feel that kind of like same wave that comes up behind you in all these categories that we did at the Bear Naked, you work, you work, you work, and then this giant wave comes behind you and just like lifts everything that you’re doing, and I feel that wave coming behind us right now. I think over the next 24 months, and over the next 12 months, there’s going to continue to be an acceleration of articles, stories, and educational pieces around what impact what people wear has, just because I just think culturally, it’s what we wear is so important to how we are seen, and so, just all of that kind of waking up. What’s also really helped us the past couple years is just people’s desire to shop online. We sell all of our product online.  We sell in Whole Foods, and then we sell 90 percent of our business is online.  That’s where the bulk of it is.  And selling online, direct to consumers, allows us to invest more in the ingredients, invest more in the certifications, make products in a better way, remove the middleman of traditional retail, and then give a better value to consumers, where they don’t have to pay more to do the right thing.   Clothing in Landfills How many pounds of clothing does the average person throw away in the landfill on a yearly basis? Over 80 pounds of clothing the average person throws away on a yearly basis. Why? Because they’re making stuff, “fast fashion” is making disposable clothing really cheap overseas that’s built to be worn once and thrown away. What we do at PACT is, every time you buy a product from us, we have a give back program. So, you can print out a free shipping label and take the box that you received our product in, or any other box that you want in your house, and then you can take your clothes, put them in that box, and then we will route them to a charity that needs them and try to reuse the garments, because ultimately, people are not throwing clothes away because they have holes in them or they’re not wearable anymore, they’re throwing them away because they’re done chasing that fashion.    What’s One Change People Could Make When It Comes to Their Clothes? Don’t buy anything new. Go find an authentic garment that was well-made from a long time ago and that’s been worn a bunch of times, and you go make it yours. Give your clothes to other people if you’re done with them.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Bear Naked Granola https://www.bearnaked.com/   PACT Clothing (Use coupon code OrganicCloset for 40% off) https://wearpact.com/   EVOL Foods https://www.evolfoods.com/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Evol_bing_Brand_BMM&utm_content=General&utm_keyword=evolproducts&utm_siteid=evol   Revelry Brands http://www.revelrybrands.com/   What is Fast Fashion? https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-fast-fashion   GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard https://www.global-standard.org/   Fair Trade Certified https://www.fairtradecertified.org/

As you might already know, mindfulness is a way to be in the present and only the present. You focus on what you are doing or thinking at this moment, without worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Mindfulness can be used for so many things, from helping you to lose weight, to re-gaining your focus on important work projects. It is really important for your mental and emotional health, as well as your physical health. One specific method of being more mindful is through meditation. The two things combine to allow you to be a happier, more fulfilled and more balanced person. Here are some things to know about mindfulness meditation.    Featured Product Ageless Brain Delivers powerful natural compounds scientifically shown to grow new brain cells and BOOST memory power Rejuvenates and re-energizes your brain cells – and helps your brain stay YOUNG as you age Puts an end to brain fog… embarrassing senior moments… forgetfulness… trouble concentrating… and more! Promotes a calm, focused mind and balanced mood Supports healthy inflammation levels Made with organic herbal ingredients sourced from the Amazon rainforest   * * *   What is Mindfulness Meditation? First of all, it can help to learn a little more about what mindfulness meditation is and how it can help you. The following information is going to give you more insight into what meditating in a mindful way means and of course the different ways it can help you. You now know that mindfulness is a way of being, thinking, and living in the moment. If you are eating a meal, you are focused only on what you are eating, including the textures, flavors, and sensations. You aren’t watching TV or thinking about your budget meeting. You only focus on your meal. This practice can also be used with meditation. Mindfulness is not easy to pick up right away, especially during a busy day when your negative thoughts and stressful situations creep up in your mind constantly. This is why you should start by also practicing meditation.   How to Start Meditating Instead of trying to stress yourself out with both mindfulness and meditation at the same time, start slow. Just start with basic meditating. Find yourself a quiet space where you can really focus on the meditation. This can be anywhere from your bedroom at night before bed to even the shower or when you are going for a walk. If you can do it at home where you can sit comfortably with your eyes closed, that can be helpful. Start your meditation by focusing on your breathing and only thinking about the breathing. Focus on taking in each breath and letting it out. Think about your lungs, and not about your next meal or all the appointments you have next week. This simple act will help you to retrain your mind to think about just one thing, which is the essence of both meditation and mindfulness.   Using Mindfulness With Meditation Now that you have a good introduction to meditation, you can start using mindfulness. Once you get used to sitting quietly and trying to clear your mind of all those nagging thoughts and only think about your breathing, you can then start with the practice of mindfulness. This is when you are only concerned with the present moment. Once you have the breathing practice down, choose just one thought to focus on. Only one thing happening in this current moment. This is a good introduction into how mindfulness meditation works.   The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation Before discussing more tips on mindfulness meditation, it helps to know why you should start this practice. There are actually many advantages to mindfulness meditation, from lowering your stress to helping with your mind’s focus, memory, and concentration. Mindfulness meditation can also help your physical health, which is something many people are not fully aware of. Take a look at some of these benefits of mindfulness meditation.   Stress Reduction One of the top reasons people like mindfulness meditation is because it helps reduce their stress. When you start meditating and living in the present with mindfulness, you learn how to think about things differently. It isn’t going to magically get rid of all those stressful situations and people in your life, but it helps you to deal with them better. You develop a healthy coping mechanism where you understand and appreciate things for what they are, and stop dwelling on how much worse they could be. It truly is remarkable how helpful this is for your overall stress and anxiety.   Improved Memory If you struggle with memory issues, this might be more to do with how much you are trying to keep track of in your mind. Memory issues are often linked to negative thoughts and overthinking. When you start the bad habit of overthinking, it tends to lead to over-analyzing things as well. This is only going to make everything more stressful and frustrating for you. If you can start mindfulness meditation, you will notice that you are focusing on one thing at a time, so your memory starts to improve as well.   Better Focus and Concentration Other cognitive functions can also be improved with meditation, including your focus and concentration. Once again, you are changing the way you think about things, developing positive attitudes like acceptance, appreciation and gratitude, patience, and nonjudgment. This in turn allows you to focus on one thing at a time, whatever is happening in the present, instead of trying to think about too many things at a time. With proper mindfulness and meditation, you are learning how to adapt to everything around you, let go of the negative emotions, and appreciate all of the positivity in your life. It is very fulfilling and improves your overall focus in the long run. This can help with work, school, and anything else you are trying to achieve.   Lower Blood Pressure As far as physical benefits, the first is lowering your blood pressure. This comes from a lot of the mental and emotional benefits, therefore lowering your blood pressure. Things like stress, anxiety, and lack of focus can overwhelm your mind, and actually have a negative effect on your body. When you start meditating and using mindfulness in your daily life, you will feel less stressed and overwhelmed, which can then cause your blood pressure to get a rest.   Weight Loss Don’t forget about the benefits for eating and weight loss! Mindfulness isn’t just done in a meditation session, but throughout the day. By living more in the present, you can also focus on what is good for your body, starting with mindful eating. This is when you really think about your food choices and indulge in each meal, instead of being distracted and just grabbing any snack without thinking twice about it. Through mindful eating, you learn to notice the signs of actual hunger and not boredom or feeding your emotions. Over time, you will notice that it changes your eating habits and ultimately leads to weight loss.   Future Success Finally, all of these benefits can help you future. You become more successful by being less stressed and more focused on the task at hand. You stop trying to multi-task and become a unitasker, which really does wonders for you. All of these things you learn through mindfulness meditation are going to help you in the future.   How to Start Doing Mindfulness Meditation You have already have a brief introduction into what mindfulness meditation is and how it works, but let’s go a little deeper into the practice. You will also learn some helpful method, tips, and tricks that can help you if you are new to meditation.   Where to Meditate As mentioned briefly in the previous section, you need to start by choosing the right place for your meditation. Schedule a time of the day when nobody else is home or when you have few distractions. Wait until the kids are at school or asleep, your significant other is otherwise engaged, and let the dogs outside for a bit. Every little distraction, from a knock on the door to a cell phone ringing is going to break you out of the meditation. You only need about 15-20 minutes to start with. For now, try to choose a place in the house where you can sit quietly and close your eyes. Eventually, meditation can be anywhere you find it relaxing, from driving to work to going for a walk or hike. However, right now you want to practice with your eyes closed, so choose your bedroom, living room, or even on your patio if it is quiet and peaceful enough. Sit in your location with your eyes close and in a relaxing position. It should be a position where you will not be fidgeting or moving around constantly. Keep your back straight and hands relaxed.   What to Focus On Once you have gotten into the right position, you can start with your mindfulness meditation. Traditional meditation calls for clearing your mind completely, so that is a good first step. Focus on your breathing first to clear your mind of all distractions, stressful situations, plans, and schedules. Put your to-do list away and watch your negative feelings and thoughts float away. Once you are only thinking about your breathing, your mind is clear, and you can start the mindfulness portion. This is when you are focusing on just one thing, one thought, one scenario. You are being mindful about the present, so it can be as simple as thinking about the act of meditation or a scent you smell in the air. What you focus on is not as important as the act of meditation to relax your body and mind.   Find a Singular Object It can also help to focus on a single object with your eyes opened or closed. If you want to close your eyes, get an object that is simple to hold in your hand. This can be anything that is small and easy to feel in your hands. You will close your eyes and hold this object, touching its details and curves, focusing on the sensations, shape, and size, and not on any other thoughts that try to creep in. You can also choose a visual object, such as focusing on a painting on the wall or placing an object right in front of you. Look at the colors, textures, and design of that object. What you are doing is training your mind to release all other thoughts and focus on one singular thing.   Be Patient Remember to always be patient. Both mindfulness and meditation will take practice and is not something you are going to pick up right away. People need time to get used to clearing their minds and having a singular focus. You have lived all these years trying to multi-task, do everything at once, think about every little thing that could go wrong, making plans and schedules and to-do lists. It takes time just to relax and be in the moment, so make sure you are patient with yourself.   Incorporate Essential Oils With Meditation As a final note, we want to discuss using essential oils in combination with meditation. This can be really helpful, especially for beginners. You are not only going to focus on the scents to help with mindfulness, but certain scents can actually help you relax even further.   Good Essential Oils to Use You can use any oils you want, but there are some that are good for relaxing and calming the mind. Here is a list of some essential oils to try out, and the reasons why they are so helpful.   Lavender One of the best and most relaxing essential oil scents to start with is lavender. Lavender is perfect for stress relief, lowering anxiety, and helping your mind and body to fully relax. You will feel calm with a scent that isn’t too strong or overbearing.   Lemon You can also try lemon, which is especially good when you are doing the mindfulness meditation in the morning or when you want to be a little more alert. This is a fresh scent that also helps with improving your mood, reducing allergies, and improving your respiratory system.   Peppermint Peppermint is a bit of a stronger scent, but you can dilute it even more or put a little less into your oil diffuser. Peppermint is good for oral health, respiratory support, and better focus and concentration. Like lemon, it is also a great mood lifter.   Rose Rose is a light floral scent that will calm and relax your mind, while also helping your body to relax. This is good for beginners, and can easily be mixed with some of the other scents.   * * * Deeper Dive Resources   Eckhart Tolle – The Power of Now https://www.eckharttolle.com/power-of-now-excerpt/   The Art of Effective Listening https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2012/11/09/10-steps-to-effective-listening/#ee7333138918   Organixx Article: Moving Meditation: A Meditation Practice for Those Who Just Can’t Slow Down https://organixx.com/moving-meditation/   Organixx Article: 13 Powerful Proven Health Benefits of Meditation https://organixx.com/health-benefits-of-meditation/   Organixx Article: 5 Reasons Behind Emotional Eating (& Tips on How to Eat Mindfully) https://organixx.com/emotional-eating/

As you might already know, mindfulness is a way to be in the present and only the present. You focus on what you are doing or thinking at this moment, without worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Mindfulness can be used for so many things, from helping you to lose weight, to re-gaining your focus on important work projects. It is really important for your mental and emotional health, as well as your physical health. One specific method of being more mindful is through meditation. The two things combine to allow you to be a happier, more fulfilled and more balanced person. Here are some things to know about mindfulness meditation.    Featured Product Ageless Brain Delivers powerful natural compounds scientifically shown to grow new brain cells and BOOST memory power Rejuvenates and re-energizes your brain cells – and helps your brain stay YOUNG as you age Puts an end to brain fog… embarrassing senior moments… forgetfulness… trouble concentrating… and more! Promotes a calm, focused mind and balanced mood Supports healthy inflammation levels Made with organic herbal ingredients sourced from the Amazon rainforest   * * *   What is Mindfulness Meditation? First of all, it can help to learn a little more about what mindfulness meditation is and how it can help you. The following information is going to give you more insight into what meditating in a mindful way means and of course the different ways it can help you. You now know that mindfulness is a way of being, thinking, and living in the moment. If you are eating a meal, you are focused only on what you are eating, including the textures, flavors, and sensations. You aren’t watching TV or thinking about your budget meeting. You only focus on your meal. This practice can also be used with meditation. Mindfulness is not easy to pick up right away, especially during a busy day when your negative thoughts and stressful situations creep up in your mind constantly. This is why you should start by also practicing meditation.   How to Start Meditating Instead of trying to stress yourself out with both mindfulness and meditation at the same time, start slow. Just start with basic meditating. Find yourself a quiet space where you can really focus on the meditation. This can be anywhere from your bedroom at night before bed to even the shower or when you are going for a walk. If you can do it at home where you can sit comfortably with your eyes closed, that can be helpful. Start your meditation by focusing on your breathing and only thinking about the breathing. Focus on taking in each breath and letting it out. Think about your lungs, and not about your next meal or all the appointments you have next week. This simple act will help you to retrain your mind to think about just one thing, which is the essence of both meditation and mindfulness.   Using Mindfulness With Meditation Now that you have a good introduction to meditation, you can start using mindfulness. Once you get used to sitting quietly and trying to clear your mind of all those nagging thoughts and only think about your breathing, you can then start with the practice of mindfulness. This is when you are only concerned with the present moment. Once you have the breathing practice down, choose just one thought to focus on. Only one thing happening in this current moment. This is a good introduction into how mindfulness meditation works.   The Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation Before discussing more tips on mindfulness meditation, it helps to know why you should start this practice. There are actually many advantages to mindfulness meditation, from lowering your stress to helping with your mind’s focus, memory, and concentration. Mindfulness meditation can also help your physical health, which is something many people are not fully aware of. Take a look at some of these benefits of mindfulness meditation.   Stress Reduction One of the top reasons people like mindfulness meditation is because it helps reduce their stress. When you start meditating and living in the present with mindfulness, you learn how to think about things differently. It isn’t going to magically get rid of all those stressful situations and people in your life, but it helps you to deal with them better. You develop a healthy coping mechanism where you understand and appreciate things for what they are, and stop dwelling on how much worse they could be. It truly is remarkable how helpful this is for your overall stress and anxiety.   Improved Memory If you struggle with memory issues, this might be more to do with how much you are trying to keep track of in your mind. Memory issues are often linked to negative thoughts and overthinking. When you start the bad habit of overthinking, it tends to lead to over-analyzing things as well. This is only going to make everything more stressful and frustrating for you. If you can start mindfulness meditation, you will notice that you are focusing on one thing at a time, so your memory starts to improve as well.   Better Focus and Concentration Other cognitive functions can also be improved with meditation, including your focus and concentration. Once again, you are changing the way you think about things, developing positive attitudes like acceptance, appreciation and gratitude, patience, and nonjudgment. This in turn allows you to focus on one thing at a time, whatever is happening in the present, instead of trying to think about too many things at a time. With proper mindfulness and meditation, you are learning how to adapt to everything around you, let go of the negative emotions, and appreciate all of the positivity in your life. It is very fulfilling and improves your overall focus in the long run. This can help with work, school, and anything else you are trying to achieve.   Lower Blood Pressure As far as physical benefits, the first is lowering your blood pressure. This comes from a lot of the mental and emotional benefits, therefore lowering your blood pressure. Things like stress, anxiety, and lack of focus can overwhelm your mind, and actually have a negative effect on your body. When you start meditating and using mindfulness in your daily life, you will feel less stressed and overwhelmed, which can then cause your blood pressure to get a rest.   Weight Loss Don’t forget about the benefits for eating and weight loss! Mindfulness isn’t just done in a meditation session, but throughout the day. By living more in the present, you can also focus on what is good for your body, starting with mindful eating. This is when you really think about your food choices and indulge in each meal, instead of being distracted and just grabbing any snack without thinking twice about it. Through mindful eating, you learn to notice the signs of actual hunger and not boredom or feeding your emotions. Over time, you will notice that it changes your eating habits and ultimately leads to weight loss.   Future Success Finally, all of these benefits can help you future. You become more successful by being less stressed and more focused on the task at hand. You stop trying to multi-task and become a unitasker, which really does wonders for you. All of these things you learn through mindfulness meditation are going to help you in the future.   How to Start Doing Mindfulness Meditation You have already have a brief introduction into what mindfulness meditation is and how it works, but let’s go a little deeper into the practice. You will also learn some helpful method, tips, and tricks that can help you if you are new to meditation.   Where to Meditate As mentioned briefly in the previous section, you need to start by choosing the right place for your meditation. Schedule a time of the day when nobody else is home or when you have few distractions. Wait until the kids are at school or asleep, your significant other is otherwise engaged, and let the dogs outside for a bit. Every little distraction, from a knock on the door to a cell phone ringing is going to break you out of the meditation. You only need about 15-20 minutes to start with. For now, try to choose a place in the house where you can sit quietly and close your eyes. Eventually, meditation can be anywhere you find it relaxing, from driving to work to going for a walk or hike. However, right now you want to practice with your eyes closed, so choose your bedroom, living room, or even on your patio if it is quiet and peaceful enough. Sit in your location with your eyes close and in a relaxing position. It should be a position where you will not be fidgeting or moving around constantly. Keep your back straight and hands relaxed.   What to Focus On Once you have gotten into the right position, you can start with your mindfulness meditation. Traditional meditation calls for clearing your mind completely, so that is a good first step. Focus on your breathing first to clear your mind of all distractions, stressful situations, plans, and schedules. Put your to-do list away and watch your negative feelings and thoughts float away. Once you are only thinking about your breathing, your mind is clear, and you can start the mindfulness portion. This is when you are focusing on just one thing, one thought, one scenario. You are being mindful about the present, so it can be as simple as thinking about the act of meditation or a scent you smell in the air. What you focus on is not as important as the act of meditation to relax your body and mind.   Find a Singular Object It can also help to focus on a single object with your eyes opened or closed. If you want to close your eyes, get an object that is simple to hold in your hand. This can be anything that is small and easy to feel in your hands. You will close your eyes and hold this object, touching its details and curves, focusing on the sensations, shape, and size, and not on any other thoughts that try to creep in. You can also choose a visual object, such as focusing on a painting on the wall or placing an object right in front of you. Look at the colors, textures, and design of that object. What you are doing is training your mind to release all other thoughts and focus on one singular thing.   Be Patient Remember to always be patient. Both mindfulness and meditation will take practice and is not something you are going to pick up right away. People need time to get used to clearing their minds and having a singular focus. You have lived all these years trying to multi-task, do everything at once, think about every little thing that could go wrong, making plans and schedules and to-do lists. It takes time just to relax and be in the moment, so make sure you are patient with yourself.   Incorporate Essential Oils With Meditation As a final note, we want to discuss using essential oils in combination with meditation. This can be really helpful, especially for beginners. You are not only going to focus on the scents to help with mindfulness, but certain scents can actually help you relax even further.   Good Essential Oils to Use You can use any oils you want, but there are some that are good for relaxing and calming the mind. Here is a list of some essential oils to try out, and the reasons why they are so helpful.   Lavender One of the best and most relaxing essential oil scents to start with is lavender. Lavender is perfect for stress relief, lowering anxiety, and helping your mind and body to fully relax. You will feel calm with a scent that isn’t too strong or overbearing.   Lemon You can also try lemon, which is especially good when you are doing the mindfulness meditation in the morning or when you want to be a little more alert. This is a fresh scent that also helps with improving your mood, reducing allergies, and improving your respiratory system.   Peppermint Peppermint is a bit of a stronger scent, but you can dilute it even more or put a little less into your oil diffuser. Peppermint is good for oral health, respiratory support, and better focus and concentration. Like lemon, it is also a great mood lifter.   Rose Rose is a light floral scent that will calm and relax your mind, while also helping your body to relax. This is good for beginners, and can easily be mixed with some of the other scents.   * * * Deeper Dive Resources   Eckhart Tolle – The Power of Now https://www.eckharttolle.com/power-of-now-excerpt/   The Art of Effective Listening https://www.forbes.com/sites/womensmedia/2012/11/09/10-steps-to-effective-listening/#ee7333138918   Organixx Article: Moving Meditation: A Meditation Practice for Those Who Just Can’t Slow Down https://organixx.com/moving-meditation/   Organixx Article: 13 Powerful Proven Health Benefits of Meditation https://organixx.com/health-benefits-of-meditation/   Organixx Article: 5 Reasons Behind Emotional Eating (& Tips on How to Eat Mindfully) https://organixx.com/emotional-eating/

The holidays can be the most stressful time of the year. We over commit and leave our self-care routine behind as we shop, bake, attend parties, and get caught in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Before you get too far into the mayhem, we have 12 practical tips to help you enjoy the season and still keep your health and wellbeing in check. Join Jonathan and TeriAnn as they walk us through each tip so we can keep our holiday stress in check!   * * * Featured Product Turmeric 3D The ultimate support for healthy inflammation levels. Pure, powerful, organic fermented turmeric. Fermentation maximizes your body’s intake of nutrients. Also provides you fermented vitamin D3! Supports healthy inflammation levels    * * *   Let’s face it. While some people start listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween, others find this kind of behavior, well, just plain annoying. If you are among the millions who tend to get a little overwhelmed with all the hype this time of year and maybe even downright depressed during the holidays, you are definitely not alone. One survey found that close to half of the respondents said they “dreaded” the festive season. Here are some quick tips to help you take a breather from all the holiday stress now and focus on a healthier YOU as we enter the holiday season and gear up for a new year. #1: Take care of YOU first. Remember that you are the only one who can determine your health needs in any season. Are you feeling sad because of a recent hardship and need to reach out to a counselor or an understanding friend? Are you overly stressed and just need some time out? Do you need to write some things down in a journal or go to a Zumba class just to “let it all out?” This season, practice the art of tuning in to your own needs. #2: Set boundaries with others. One of the best ways you can beat holiday stress is to practice the art of saying “No.” Many people feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed about spending time with family members that they may not have anything in common with or who may display inappropriate, disrespectful, or disturbing behaviors. Others may stretch themselves too thin doing things for others while neglecting their own needs. For one week, practice saying NO to favors. Also, consider if excusing yourself from a gathering or two may be a possibility. If you can’t get out of the yearly get-together, set both internal and external boundaries before you go. It’s okay to not interact with family members that are particularly inappropriate. Instead, choose to connect with someone at the event whom you enjoy or someone you haven’t had a chance to catch up with throughout the year. #3: Don’t overdo the sugar. It can be extremely difficult to resist that cheesy mashed potato dish or second helping of pecan pie. However, the fact is that overloading on sugar (especially high fructose corn syrup), alcohol, refined carbs and, for an increasing number of people, gluten and dairy, can intensely tax both the body and mind. This adds additional stress to an already stressful time of year. According to an investigation published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, high fructose corn is more detrimental to brain function than other sugar sources since it can negatively impact the hypothalamus as well as raise cortisol levels. This can turn on inflammatory responses and lower immune function. #4: Get creative with gift-giving. In a culture that considers Black Friday another holiday, it’s hard to resist the urge to spend, spend, spend during the holiday season. This is especially true if you are a parent and your kids begin dropping subtle (and not so subtle) hints regarding their holiday wish list in September. Have a heart-to-heart with your child (or your spouse) if you must, and then get creative with gift-giving this year and avoid financial holiday stress. #5: Have some fun. What about a day in the mountains throwing snowballs, or a few hours at the beach making a sand snowman? How about stringing some popcorn to make tree decorations? Research suggests that play is just as important for adults as it is for kids. #6: Keep moving. Exercise is good for your overall health in countless ways one article couldn’t begin to sum up. In addition to lowering stress responses, consider this: new research suggests that regular exercise helps to convert “white” fat cells, a risk factor for cancer, to healthier “brown” fat cells. A 2012 report published in the journal Nature suggests that heat-generating brown fat can help you burn energy instead of storing it. Other investigations point to regular exercise as a way to prevent “leptin resistance.” Leptin is a powerful hormone within fat cells that regulates appetite. This holiday season get creative with how you can fit exercise into an already tight schedule. Start with something small such as parking at the far end of the mall so you can get a walk in while you shop. Or if you’re really ambitious, fit in a short, intense Tabata workout. #7: Don’t ruminate but DO reflect on your life. Several ancient traditions say that winter is a time to go within and reflect. For many, this may seem to be in direct contrast to what our modern society encourages. Reflection, however, is not the same as rumination. Avoid getting stuck on past regrets by giving yourself a timeframe and an avenue for your reflection. Write in a journal, make a creative collage, or work on a scrapbook for an hour or two to honor the past year. Then do something fun and self-nourishing which can help you get back into the flow your life now, in the present moment. #8: Go on holiday from the media. A digital detox not only gives your brain a break from electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and your eyes a break from the screen, it also allows you to form your own concepts of what the holiday season may mean for you. The media’s job is to sell products, first and foremost. Those “perfect” depictions of holiday shopping sprees and merry families gathered by the fire are designed to make you feel like something is lacking in your life so that you will “spend” your way to happiness. Ads and posts on Facebook and other social media channels can sometimes make you feel the same way. Don’t buy into the hype; go on a digital detox instead. This time away can give you a fresh perspective even if you abstain for just one day. #9: Cook up some goodness for yourself and others. If baking cookies or whipping up the holiday dinner is your job, do something different this year. How can you kick it up a notch so that fresh, wholesome, and healthy holiday recipes are on the menu? Better yet, consider making it a potluck this year so you don’t have to do all the work. Make sure to specify that dishes be healthy, nutritional, organic, and low on sugars, if possible. #10: Check your vitamin D levels. Being in the sun is the best way to get your vitamin D. Moderate sun exposure can also provide you with a plethora of other health benefits, such as increased nitric oxide production to protect your cardio vascular system. Vitamin D deficiency is very common, especially if you live in a Northern climate or spend a lot of time indoors. #11: Give yourself a gift. What if you put yourself on your holiday shopping list? Would you give yourself the gift of an afternoon snuggled up with a good book, a new outfit, a day hiking in the woods, or a relaxing essential oils bath? Give it a try! Include a gift for you in your time or money budget this year and notice how this one act of self-nurturing can help lift your spirits in a big way. #12: Remember the true “reason for the season.” Practicing gratitude during this time of year is a great way to switch your mood from “down in the dumps” to a lighter spirit. Believe it or not, practicing gratitude is a great way to detox and heal your body as well. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can not only increase happiness levels by 25%, it can also help you sleep better, help you recover faster after surgery, and lower stress hormones by 23%. And it’s easy! In a gratitude journal or just in your mind, focus on the simplest things first – the roof over your head, the food in your fridge, the clouds in the sky, the presence of a special friend, family member, or pet in your life. Even being appreciative for the fact that you are breathing can get the gratitude vibe going!   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   12 Tips to Beat Holiday Stress https://organixx.com/holiday-stress/   How Healthy Are You? Take These 6 Simple DIY Tests to Find Out https://organixx.com/home-health-testing/   How To Use Water To Heal Anxiety, Depression, and Sadness https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/how-to-use-water-to-heal-anxiety-depression-and-sadness-episode-31/   What Causes Inflammation? The Top 10 Worst Offenders https://organixx.com/what-causes-inflammation/   Stressed Out? 10 Adaptogenic Herbs That Help With Chronic Stress https://organixx.com/chronic-stress/   What Is Tabata and Why Is It So Popular? https://organixx.com/what-is-tabata/   Uplift Your Mind & Spirit: The Best Essential Oils for Meditation and Prayer https://organixx.com/meditation-and-prayer/   Christmas depression: The data may surprise you https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/59771/depression/christmas-depression-data-may-surprise-you   Seasonal Affective Disorder https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml   Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26688752   Play Doesn't End With Childhood: Why Adults Need Recess Too https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2014/08/06/336360521/play-doesnt-end-with-childhood-why-adults-need-recess-too   A PGC1-α-dependent myokine that drives brown-fat-like development of white fat and thermogenesis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22237023   5 Steps to a Perfect Essential Oil Bath that Soothes & Heals Your Body https://organixx.com/essential-oil-bath/

The holidays can be the most stressful time of the year. We over commit and leave our self-care routine behind as we shop, bake, attend parties, and get caught in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Before you get too far into the mayhem, we have 12 practical tips to help you enjoy the season and still keep your health and wellbeing in check. Join Jonathan and TeriAnn as they walk us through each tip so we can keep our holiday stress in check!   * * * Featured Product Turmeric 3D The ultimate support for healthy inflammation levels. Pure, powerful, organic fermented turmeric. Fermentation maximizes your body’s intake of nutrients. Also provides you fermented vitamin D3! Supports healthy inflammation levels    * * *   Let’s face it. While some people start listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween, others find this kind of behavior, well, just plain annoying. If you are among the millions who tend to get a little overwhelmed with all the hype this time of year and maybe even downright depressed during the holidays, you are definitely not alone. One survey found that close to half of the respondents said they “dreaded” the festive season. Here are some quick tips to help you take a breather from all the holiday stress now and focus on a healthier YOU as we enter the holiday season and gear up for a new year. #1: Take care of YOU first. Remember that you are the only one who can determine your health needs in any season. Are you feeling sad because of a recent hardship and need to reach out to a counselor or an understanding friend? Are you overly stressed and just need some time out? Do you need to write some things down in a journal or go to a Zumba class just to “let it all out?” This season, practice the art of tuning in to your own needs. #2: Set boundaries with others. One of the best ways you can beat holiday stress is to practice the art of saying “No.” Many people feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed about spending time with family members that they may not have anything in common with or who may display inappropriate, disrespectful, or disturbing behaviors. Others may stretch themselves too thin doing things for others while neglecting their own needs. For one week, practice saying NO to favors. Also, consider if excusing yourself from a gathering or two may be a possibility. If you can’t get out of the yearly get-together, set both internal and external boundaries before you go. It’s okay to not interact with family members that are particularly inappropriate. Instead, choose to connect with someone at the event whom you enjoy or someone you haven’t had a chance to catch up with throughout the year. #3: Don’t overdo the sugar. It can be extremely difficult to resist that cheesy mashed potato dish or second helping of pecan pie. However, the fact is that overloading on sugar (especially high fructose corn syrup), alcohol, refined carbs and, for an increasing number of people, gluten and dairy, can intensely tax both the body and mind. This adds additional stress to an already stressful time of year. According to an investigation published in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, high fructose corn is more detrimental to brain function than other sugar sources since it can negatively impact the hypothalamus as well as raise cortisol levels. This can turn on inflammatory responses and lower immune function. #4: Get creative with gift-giving. In a culture that considers Black Friday another holiday, it’s hard to resist the urge to spend, spend, spend during the holiday season. This is especially true if you are a parent and your kids begin dropping subtle (and not so subtle) hints regarding their holiday wish list in September. Have a heart-to-heart with your child (or your spouse) if you must, and then get creative with gift-giving this year and avoid financial holiday stress. #5: Have some fun. What about a day in the mountains throwing snowballs, or a few hours at the beach making a sand snowman? How about stringing some popcorn to make tree decorations? Research suggests that play is just as important for adults as it is for kids. #6: Keep moving. Exercise is good for your overall health in countless ways one article couldn’t begin to sum up. In addition to lowering stress responses, consider this: new research suggests that regular exercise helps to convert “white” fat cells, a risk factor for cancer, to healthier “brown” fat cells. A 2012 report published in the journal Nature suggests that heat-generating brown fat can help you burn energy instead of storing it. Other investigations point to regular exercise as a way to prevent “leptin resistance.” Leptin is a powerful hormone within fat cells that regulates appetite. This holiday season get creative with how you can fit exercise into an already tight schedule. Start with something small such as parking at the far end of the mall so you can get a walk in while you shop. Or if you’re really ambitious, fit in a short, intense Tabata workout. #7: Don’t ruminate but DO reflect on your life. Several ancient traditions say that winter is a time to go within and reflect. For many, this may seem to be in direct contrast to what our modern society encourages. Reflection, however, is not the same as rumination. Avoid getting stuck on past regrets by giving yourself a timeframe and an avenue for your reflection. Write in a journal, make a creative collage, or work on a scrapbook for an hour or two to honor the past year. Then do something fun and self-nourishing which can help you get back into the flow your life now, in the present moment. #8: Go on holiday from the media. A digital detox not only gives your brain a break from electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and your eyes a break from the screen, it also allows you to form your own concepts of what the holiday season may mean for you. The media’s job is to sell products, first and foremost. Those “perfect” depictions of holiday shopping sprees and merry families gathered by the fire are designed to make you feel like something is lacking in your life so that you will “spend” your way to happiness. Ads and posts on Facebook and other social media channels can sometimes make you feel the same way. Don’t buy into the hype; go on a digital detox instead. This time away can give you a fresh perspective even if you abstain for just one day. #9: Cook up some goodness for yourself and others. If baking cookies or whipping up the holiday dinner is your job, do something different this year. How can you kick it up a notch so that fresh, wholesome, and healthy holiday recipes are on the menu? Better yet, consider making it a potluck this year so you don’t have to do all the work. Make sure to specify that dishes be healthy, nutritional, organic, and low on sugars, if possible. #10: Check your vitamin D levels. Being in the sun is the best way to get your vitamin D. Moderate sun exposure can also provide you with a plethora of other health benefits, such as increased nitric oxide production to protect your cardio vascular system. Vitamin D deficiency is very common, especially if you live in a Northern climate or spend a lot of time indoors. #11: Give yourself a gift. What if you put yourself on your holiday shopping list? Would you give yourself the gift of an afternoon snuggled up with a good book, a new outfit, a day hiking in the woods, or a relaxing essential oils bath? Give it a try! Include a gift for you in your time or money budget this year and notice how this one act of self-nurturing can help lift your spirits in a big way. #12: Remember the true “reason for the season.” Practicing gratitude during this time of year is a great way to switch your mood from “down in the dumps” to a lighter spirit. Believe it or not, practicing gratitude is a great way to detox and heal your body as well. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can not only increase happiness levels by 25%, it can also help you sleep better, help you recover faster after surgery, and lower stress hormones by 23%. And it’s easy! In a gratitude journal or just in your mind, focus on the simplest things first – the roof over your head, the food in your fridge, the clouds in the sky, the presence of a special friend, family member, or pet in your life. Even being appreciative for the fact that you are breathing can get the gratitude vibe going!   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   12 Tips to Beat Holiday Stress https://organixx.com/holiday-stress/   How Healthy Are You? Take These 6 Simple DIY Tests to Find Out https://organixx.com/home-health-testing/   How To Use Water To Heal Anxiety, Depression, and Sadness https://organixx.com/empowering-you-organically/how-to-use-water-to-heal-anxiety-depression-and-sadness-episode-31/   What Causes Inflammation? The Top 10 Worst Offenders https://organixx.com/what-causes-inflammation/   Stressed Out? 10 Adaptogenic Herbs That Help With Chronic Stress https://organixx.com/chronic-stress/   What Is Tabata and Why Is It So Popular? https://organixx.com/what-is-tabata/   Uplift Your Mind & Spirit: The Best Essential Oils for Meditation and Prayer https://organixx.com/meditation-and-prayer/   Christmas depression: The data may surprise you https://www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/59771/depression/christmas-depression-data-may-surprise-you   Seasonal Affective Disorder https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml   Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26688752   Play Doesn't End With Childhood: Why Adults Need Recess Too https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2014/08/06/336360521/play-doesnt-end-with-childhood-why-adults-need-recess-too   A PGC1-α-dependent myokine that drives brown-fat-like development of white fat and thermogenesis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22237023   5 Steps to a Perfect Essential Oil Bath that Soothes & Heals Your Body https://organixx.com/essential-oil-bath/

Gratitude undeniably improves our well-being. Science proves it! Last week we tackled the science of gratitude. Tune in this week for 10 ways to become more grateful. There are some interesting suggestions here - you don’t want to miss it!   Featured Product Organixx Ageless Brain Delivers powerful natural compounds scientifically shown to grow new brain cells and BOOST memory Rejuvenates and re-energizes your brain cells – and helps your brain stay YOUNG as you age Puts an end to brain fog… embarrassing senior moments… forgetfulness… trouble concentrating… and more! Promotes a calm, focused mind and balanced mood Supports healthy inflammation levels Made with organic herbal ingredients sourced from the Amazon rainforest   * * *   The Expert on Gratitude Robert Emmons, who has a PhD and is the leading scientific expert on gratitude, shares a lot of really good information. He is a Professor of Psychology at the University of California – Davis and the founding Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology.  He has authored many books around gratitude and happiness and emotions and positivity, and this is his top 10 list for becoming more grateful.    Top 10 List for Becoming More Grateful Keep a gratitude journal. Establish a daily practice in which you remind yourself of the gifts, grace, benefits, and good things you enjoy. Setting aside time on a daily basis to recall moments of gratitude, associated with ordinary events, your personal attributes, or valued people in your life, give you the potential to interweave a sustainable life theme of gratefulness.  Remember the bad. To be grateful in your current state, it is helpful to remember the hard times that you once experienced. When you remember how difficult life used to be and how far you have come, you set up an explicit contrast in your mind, and this contrast is fertile ground for gratefulness.  Ask yourself three questions. Utilize the meditation technique known as Naikan, which involves reflecting on three questions: “What have I received from __?”, “What have I given to __?”, and “What troubles and difficulty have I caused?” Learn prayers of gratitude. In many spiritual traditions, prayers of gratitude are considered to be the most powerful form of prayer, because through these prayers, people recognize the ultimate source of all they are and all they will ever be. Come to your senses. Through our senses, the ability to touch, see, smell, taste, and hear, we gain an appreciation of what it means to be human and of what an incredible miracle it is to be alive. Seen through the lens of gratitude, the human body is not only a miraculous construction, but also a gift.  Use visual reminders. Because the two primary obstacles to gratefulness are forgetfulness and the lack of mindful awareness, visual reminders can serve as cues to trigger thoughts of gratitude. Oftentimes, the best visual reminders are other people. Make a vow to practice gratitude. Research shows that making an oath to perform a behavior increases the likelihood that the action will be executed. Watch your language. Grateful people have a particular linguistic style that uses the language of gifts, givers, blessings, bless, fortune, fortunate, and abundance. In gratitude, you should not focus on how inherently good you are, but rather on the inherently good things that others have done on your behalf. Go through the motions. If you go through grateful motions, the emotion of gratitude should be triggered. Grateful motions include smiling, saying thank you, and writing letters of gratitude.  Think outside the box. If you want to make the most out of opportunities to flex your gratitude muscles, you must creatively look for new situations and circumstances in which to feel grateful.   Homework from Jonathan: Exercising Your Gratitude Muscle According to UCLA's Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, having an attitude of gratitude changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps the gray matter functioning, and makes us healthier and happier. When you feel happiness, the central nervous system is affected. You are more peaceful, less reactive, and less resistant. Now that's a really cool way of taking care of your well-being as you go through not just the holiday season but the rest of your life. Joan Moran, from UCLA Recreation’s FITWELL program, wrote an opinion piece in 2013 for the Huffington Post where she discussed positive benefits of an attitude of gratitude. We want to help you exercise your Gratitude Muscle this holiday season! So, we’re sharing her timeless tips with you today. And challenging YOU to incorporate this into a daily practice this holiday season….and beyond! The following questions (and their honest answers) will help you grow your attitude of gratitude during the holidays:   Ask who in your life — past and present — has given you inspiration, motivation, love, support, and guidance. These people can be family, friends, teachers, mentors, or work colleagues. You carry these people around like angels on your shoulders because they are always giving you energy. Take a moment to acknowledge them and give thanks that that they are in your life. You can follow up with a note or phone call of thanks to let them know that they matter to you. Ask what skills, talents, personal characteristics, values, beliefs, and education opportunities you utilize every day and are you grateful for. The one stable gift that I am grateful for is my ability to teach. This is the gift I cannot live without because it leads to other fabulous learning and knowing experiences as well as different skill sets. You will recognize your greatest talents and gifts by reflecting on the values and beliefs that you live by and personal characteristics that you have developed. Ask yourself what gift keeps on giving for you. What gifts will change your life mightily?   Ask where you have been in your life that has deeply affected you emotionally, intellectually, physically or spiritually. In what ways have experiences outside your normal daily activities positively influenced your life? It is likely you have experienced some travel during your life. The places you visited, the people you met, perhaps from other cultures have broadened your life, influenced your view of the world and affected your sense of self within your community. Take time during the holidays and reflect on how these powerful experiences have shaped who you are today.   Ask how you normally express your gratitude. Do you express gratitude daily? And if you are not taking the time to do so, why not? It is easy to forget to say thank you because our lives are so busy and filled with "to-dos" and "musts." Make it a habit at least twice a day to find a quiet place to pause and say thank you for your gifts. Reach out to friends by phone or email to say thank you to them for being in your life because they cherish you and give you support and love. Acknowledge and be grateful for your loving community.   Ask what negative situation could be a positive in your life. Why should you be grateful for the negative things that happen to you in life? Life isn't perfect. Bad stuff happens. But inside every negative experience is a positive experience waiting to happen. Eliminating the negative self-talk, you put yourself through develops stronger mental health habits. It allows you to become more accepting of everything that happens in life — the good, the bad, and the ugly. And the process of removing negativity creates the opportunity for growth and transformation.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Robert Emmons https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/robert_emmons   The Science of Gratitude by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL.pdf   Pause, reflect and give thanks: the power of gratitude during the holidays http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/gratitude-249167   UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center http://marc.ucla.edu/   Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/application_uploads/Emmons-CountingBlessings.pdf   Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/major_initiatives/expanding_gratitude   Naikan Method https://www.naikan.eu/english/naikan-why.html   Does gratitude writing improve the mental health of psychotherapy clients? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10503307.2016.1169332?scroll=top&needAccess=true&journalCode=tpsr20   Neural correlates of gratitude https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01491/full   What Does a Grateful Brain Look Like? https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_does_a_grateful_brain_look_like

Gratitude undeniably improves our well-being. Science proves it! Last week we tackled the science of gratitude. Tune in this week for 10 ways to become more grateful. There are some interesting suggestions here - you don’t want to miss it!   Featured Product Organixx Ageless Brain Delivers powerful natural compounds scientifically shown to grow new brain cells and BOOST memory Rejuvenates and re-energizes your brain cells – and helps your brain stay YOUNG as you age Puts an end to brain fog… embarrassing senior moments… forgetfulness… trouble concentrating… and more! Promotes a calm, focused mind and balanced mood Supports healthy inflammation levels Made with organic herbal ingredients sourced from the Amazon rainforest   * * *   The Expert on Gratitude Robert Emmons, who has a PhD and is the leading scientific expert on gratitude, shares a lot of really good information. He is a Professor of Psychology at the University of California – Davis and the founding Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology.  He has authored many books around gratitude and happiness and emotions and positivity, and this is his top 10 list for becoming more grateful.    Top 10 List for Becoming More Grateful Keep a gratitude journal. Establish a daily practice in which you remind yourself of the gifts, grace, benefits, and good things you enjoy. Setting aside time on a daily basis to recall moments of gratitude, associated with ordinary events, your personal attributes, or valued people in your life, give you the potential to interweave a sustainable life theme of gratefulness.  Remember the bad. To be grateful in your current state, it is helpful to remember the hard times that you once experienced. When you remember how difficult life used to be and how far you have come, you set up an explicit contrast in your mind, and this contrast is fertile ground for gratefulness.  Ask yourself three questions. Utilize the meditation technique known as Naikan, which involves reflecting on three questions: “What have I received from __?”, “What have I given to __?”, and “What troubles and difficulty have I caused?” Learn prayers of gratitude. In many spiritual traditions, prayers of gratitude are considered to be the most powerful form of prayer, because through these prayers, people recognize the ultimate source of all they are and all they will ever be. Come to your senses. Through our senses, the ability to touch, see, smell, taste, and hear, we gain an appreciation of what it means to be human and of what an incredible miracle it is to be alive. Seen through the lens of gratitude, the human body is not only a miraculous construction, but also a gift.  Use visual reminders. Because the two primary obstacles to gratefulness are forgetfulness and the lack of mindful awareness, visual reminders can serve as cues to trigger thoughts of gratitude. Oftentimes, the best visual reminders are other people. Make a vow to practice gratitude. Research shows that making an oath to perform a behavior increases the likelihood that the action will be executed. Watch your language. Grateful people have a particular linguistic style that uses the language of gifts, givers, blessings, bless, fortune, fortunate, and abundance. In gratitude, you should not focus on how inherently good you are, but rather on the inherently good things that others have done on your behalf. Go through the motions. If you go through grateful motions, the emotion of gratitude should be triggered. Grateful motions include smiling, saying thank you, and writing letters of gratitude.  Think outside the box. If you want to make the most out of opportunities to flex your gratitude muscles, you must creatively look for new situations and circumstances in which to feel grateful.   Homework from Jonathan: Exercising Your Gratitude Muscle According to UCLA's Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, having an attitude of gratitude changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps the gray matter functioning, and makes us healthier and happier. When you feel happiness, the central nervous system is affected. You are more peaceful, less reactive, and less resistant. Now that's a really cool way of taking care of your well-being as you go through not just the holiday season but the rest of your life. Joan Moran, from UCLA Recreation’s FITWELL program, wrote an opinion piece in 2013 for the Huffington Post where she discussed positive benefits of an attitude of gratitude. We want to help you exercise your Gratitude Muscle this holiday season! So, we’re sharing her timeless tips with you today. And challenging YOU to incorporate this into a daily practice this holiday season….and beyond! The following questions (and their honest answers) will help you grow your attitude of gratitude during the holidays:   Ask who in your life — past and present — has given you inspiration, motivation, love, support, and guidance. These people can be family, friends, teachers, mentors, or work colleagues. You carry these people around like angels on your shoulders because they are always giving you energy. Take a moment to acknowledge them and give thanks that that they are in your life. You can follow up with a note or phone call of thanks to let them know that they matter to you. Ask what skills, talents, personal characteristics, values, beliefs, and education opportunities you utilize every day and are you grateful for. The one stable gift that I am grateful for is my ability to teach. This is the gift I cannot live without because it leads to other fabulous learning and knowing experiences as well as different skill sets. You will recognize your greatest talents and gifts by reflecting on the values and beliefs that you live by and personal characteristics that you have developed. Ask yourself what gift keeps on giving for you. What gifts will change your life mightily?   Ask where you have been in your life that has deeply affected you emotionally, intellectually, physically or spiritually. In what ways have experiences outside your normal daily activities positively influenced your life? It is likely you have experienced some travel during your life. The places you visited, the people you met, perhaps from other cultures have broadened your life, influenced your view of the world and affected your sense of self within your community. Take time during the holidays and reflect on how these powerful experiences have shaped who you are today.   Ask how you normally express your gratitude. Do you express gratitude daily? And if you are not taking the time to do so, why not? It is easy to forget to say thank you because our lives are so busy and filled with "to-dos" and "musts." Make it a habit at least twice a day to find a quiet place to pause and say thank you for your gifts. Reach out to friends by phone or email to say thank you to them for being in your life because they cherish you and give you support and love. Acknowledge and be grateful for your loving community.   Ask what negative situation could be a positive in your life. Why should you be grateful for the negative things that happen to you in life? Life isn't perfect. Bad stuff happens. But inside every negative experience is a positive experience waiting to happen. Eliminating the negative self-talk, you put yourself through develops stronger mental health habits. It allows you to become more accepting of everything that happens in life — the good, the bad, and the ugly. And the process of removing negativity creates the opportunity for growth and transformation.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Robert Emmons https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/profile/robert_emmons   The Science of Gratitude by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL.pdf   Pause, reflect and give thanks: the power of gratitude during the holidays http://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/gratitude-249167   UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center http://marc.ucla.edu/   Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/application_uploads/Emmons-CountingBlessings.pdf   Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/major_initiatives/expanding_gratitude   Naikan Method https://www.naikan.eu/english/naikan-why.html   Does gratitude writing improve the mental health of psychotherapy clients? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10503307.2016.1169332?scroll=top&needAccess=true&journalCode=tpsr20   Neural correlates of gratitude https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01491/full   What Does a Grateful Brain Look Like? https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_does_a_grateful_brain_look_like

Gratitude. It’s just not something to shine a light on in November each year. We’ve dug up some fascinating research on the positive benefits having an attitude of gratitude will make on your health and well-being. Tune in to hear the research and tips on starting your own daily gratitude practice.   Featured Product Organixx Ageless Brain Delivers powerful natural compounds scientifically shown to grow new brain cells and BOOST memory Rejuvenates and re-energizes your brain cells – and helps your brain stay YOUNG as you age Puts an end to brain fog… embarrassing senior moments… forgetfulness… trouble concentrating… and more! Promotes a calm, focused mind and balanced mood Supports healthy inflammation levels Made with organic herbal ingredients sourced from the Amazon rainforest   * * *   The holidays are here and it’s historically a hard time emotionally for many. And as we’ve discussed often… your emotions do impact your health and overall well-being! We wanted to explore the science of gratitude with you and offer some tips to help make the holidays just a little bit brighter this year. Scientists have discovered that feelings of gratitude can actually change your brain. Feeling gratitude can also be a great tool for overcoming depression and anxiety.   What Is Gratitude? Robert Emmons, perhaps the world’s leading scientific expert on gratitude, argues that gratitude has two key components, which he describes in a Greater Good essay, “Why Gratitude Is Good.” “First,” he writes, “it’s an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received.” In the second part of gratitude, he explains, “we recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves. … We acknowledge that other people—or even higher powers, if you’re of a spiritual mindset—gave us many gifts, big and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives.” Emmons and other researchers see the social dimension as being especially important to gratitude. “I see it as a relationship-strengthening emotion,“ writes Emmons, “because it requires us to see how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people.” Because gratitude encourages us not only to appreciate gifts but to repay them (or pay them forward), the sociologist Georg Simmel called it “the moral memory of mankind.” This is how gratitude may have evolved: by strengthening bonds between members of the same species who mutually helped each other out.   This really is a ‘thing’! Universities have entire departments with focused research on happiness and gratitude. Researchers from Berkeley identified how gratitude might actually work on our minds and bodies. They provided four insights from their research suggesting what causes the psychological benefits of gratitude. Gratitude unshackles us from toxic emotions Gratitude helps even if you don’t share it Gratitude’s benefits take time & practice. You might not feel it right away. Gratitude has lasting effects on the brain   Breakdown of Benefits Physical• Stronger immune systems • Less bothered by aches and pains • Lower blood pressure • Exercise more and take better care of their health • Sleep longer and feel more refreshed upon waking   Psychological• Higher levels of positive emotions • More alert, alive, and awake • More joy and pleasure • More optimism and happiness   Social• More helpful, generous, and compassionate • More forgiving • More outgoing • Feel less lonely and isolated.   The Key to Well-Being? “Building the best life does not require fealty to feelings in the name of authenticity, but rather rebelling against negative impulses and acting right even when we don’t feel like it,” says Arthur C. Brooks, author of Gross National Happiness, in a column in the New York Times. In the article, from 2015, he argues that “acting grateful can actually make you grateful” and uses science to prove it. A 2003 study compared the well-being of participants who kept a weekly list of things they were grateful for to participants who kept a list of things that irritated them or neutral things. The researchers showed that the gratitude-focused participants exhibited increased well-being and they concluded that “a conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits.” Understand this…..The participants didn’t begin the study any more grateful or ungrateful than anyone else, and they didn’t change their lives during the study so that they’d have more to be thankful for. They just turned their outlook to one of gratitude, and they were happier for it.   How Do You Practice Gratitude? Tony Robbins’ Guided Imagery – Gratitude Practice He was on a podcast with Tim Farris, and he did like a seven-minute clip, and he walks you through how to feel gratitude from a way he's learned how to do it.   * * *   Deeper Dive Resources   Robert Emmons "Why Gratitude Is Good" https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_gratitude_is_good   Greater Good Magazine – "What Is Gratitude?" https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/gratitude/definition   Psychology Today – "Happiness" https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/happiness   Arthur C. Brooks article in the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/opinion/sunday/choose-to-be-grateful-it-will-make-you-happier.html   2003 Study from Robert Emmons https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/application_uploads/Emmons-CountingBlessings.pdf   Tony Robbins Gratitude Exercise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-1mxzHlEKI