In today's world, demands on our time are greater than ever. Between studying and/or working, taking care of family, maintaining relationships, answering endless messages and emails, and trying to fit in some semblance of self-care, it's no wonder that many of us feel drained and tired all the time. It is easy to fall into the habit of chugging coffee or seeking out a quick sugar fix just to have enough energy to tackle the demands of your day.
Unfortunately, these quick fix energy boosts always come with an energy crash just hours later. If you can get into a good habit of avoiding the coffee and candy, there are others ways to feed your body natural energy which will have you feeling amazing all day long. One thing to consider when it comes to daily energy is taking daily supplement. A daily supplement, like Pure Vitality’s "Enduro Vitality", can help your body get all of the extra micronutrients you might not be getting in your regular diet.
What Is a Micronutrient?
You’ve most likely heard a lot about the macronutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Unlike macronutrients, micronutrients are only necessary in very small quantities, but having them can make a big difference to your energy levels. A few examples of micronutrients are Fluoride, Selenium, sodium, Iodine, copper and zinc as well as Vitamins C, A, D, E, K and B- complexes among others.
A little bit of these micronutrients can go a long way. For example, Magnesium is vital in energy production as well as over 300 different biochemical functions in the body, and Selenium helps your body metabolize proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to produce energy. According to the World Health Organization, micronutrient deficiencies in diet can affect productivity by up to 20%. That means that if you can get your body 100% of the micronutrients it needs, you could have the power to be 20% more productive in your day.
Supplements are a great place to look for micronutrients. The Pure Vitality research team have combined some of the best in their "Enduro Vitality" supplement with essential herbs and nutrients for energy, endurance and stamina. This natural combination not only optimizes mental and physical energy, it can also build up your immune system to combat illness and speed up recovery from injury. Supplements work best in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. With some simple supplements and lifestyle changes, you can get your body running at top efficiency and feel like your best, most productive self all day long.
Supplements are just one way to boost daily energy -- below are some of the top natural energy boosting foods and nutrients to try out!
1. Eggs
Make sure you get your day started off right with a high protein breakfast. Instead of eating sugary processed cereal which will leave you hungry by mid-morning, try eating one or two eggs and a slice of Ancient grain toast. Eggs are not only high in protein but contain Choline, which is a cognition stimulating nutrient. One study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that a high protein breakfast, as compared to a high-carb breakfast leads to reduced levels of the hormone Ghrelin, which stimulates hunger. We all know that it's hard to feel energetic and positive when we're hungry!
Speaking of high protein versus high carbohydrate meals, one of the first things to cut from your diet should be simple carbohydrates. Simple carbs, such as sugary drinks, cookies, and processed foods like white bread and pasta, will provide a quick energy fix but will cause your blood sugar to spike and then crash. This means that not long after a meal you will feel tired and hungry again. Instead of simple carbs, stick to whole grains and low-glycemic carbohydrates such as beans, legumes, and starchy vegetables.
2. Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Salmon and Chia Seeds
In addition to a high protein and lower carb diet, make sure you are incorporating plenty of fatty acids. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids will help your body feel it's best, reducing inflammation and boosting heart health, but it will also keep your brain running at top speed with increased focus and mental energy. These fatty acids also regulate the adrenal glands. An imbalance in adrenal glands can severely affect energy levels through adrenal fatigue. If your body has been under too much stress, your adrenal glands might not be able to produce the hormones to cope and over time, your adrenal glands can slow down and become fatigued. Fatty acids can help prevent this.
If you’re looking for a way to incorporate these fatty acids into your diet, Salmon is a great choice. It's a lean meat, high in protein, and makes for a delicious lunch or dinner. As it's normally eaten in meal size quantities, it packs a big punch of Omega-3. If you’re vegetarian, or just want another good option for Omega intake, try Chia seeds. A great addition to any smoothie, Chia seeds contain big doses of Omega-3 and Omega-6. It’s no wonder that the ancient Mayans and Aztecs warriors ate Chia seeds to improve their performance in combat.
3. Water
Water is the original superfood. It's hard to do better than simple hydration when it comes to boosting energy levels. One of the first symptoms of dehydration is fatigue. Simply boosting your water consumption can vastly improve energy. Dehydration will also leave you feeling hungry, which could lead to overeating and feeling sluggish as a result. According to two studies done at The University of Connecticut's Human Performance Laboratory, even very mild dehydration can reduce a person’s mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly. The study defined mild dehydration as 1.5 % water loss in the body. However, we often don’t realize we are thirsty until we are already at 2% water loss or more.
One way to ensure that you're constantly hydrating is to keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times. Make it a part of your routine to fill up your water bottle and drink throughout the day. If you workout or are especially active, remember to drink more to replace the water that you've sweated out. Increased water intake should leave you feeling more energetic and can even help you lose weight if that is a goal that you have.
4. Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogenic herbs are an important herb group for maintaining health and energy. They can increase your body’s resistance to long-term stress and increase your general sense of well being. If you're feeling drained, healing herbs and supplements can help your body take on long and stressful days. The adrenal system, which controls the way that hormones respond to stimulus such as anxiety, stress and fatigue, can be supported and regulated through these herbal supplements. Pure Vitality's "Enduro Vitality" supplement contains several of these herbs such as Maca Root Extract, Deer Antler Velvet Extract, Rhodiola Rosea Extract 3% (rosavins), Eleuthero Root Extract, Panax Ginseng, Gingko Biloba, Schizandra, Cinnamon, Ginger Root Extract, and Bioperine.
5. Deer Antler Velvet
You may not think of it as a food, but this powerful substance could be your new favorite addition to your diet. Deer antler velvet contains the amazing regenerative power of nature. Harvested from the premature antlers of stag deer, the velvet is the soft cartilage from which bone antlers grow. These antlers rebuild themselves every year, and thus the antler velvet has a unique and powerful natural blend of amino acids and nutrients that can help your body regenerate constantly as well.
The components of deer antler velvet in their natural combination have been found to work more effectively than each of the individual nutrients taken separately. Therefore, it is some synthesis created in nature that allows for the maximum regenerative power of deer antler velvet. You can get deer antler velvet from Pure Vitality it two forms: the Deer Antler Velvet 250 mg capsules, or the IGF-1 Antler Spray. If you are recovering from injury or simply looking to boost your physical energy levels, Deer Antler Velvet can you give you that extra power you've been looking for.
6. Dark Chocolate
IF you’re feeling the need to indulge without turning to unhealthy, sugary desserts, one thing that can improve your energy while maintaining realistic standards is dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is a great thing to turn to when you're craving sugar. It is an antioxidant-rich superfood that boosts energy and cognitive function. Dark chocolate (in moderation) is great for energy levels due to its high levels of flavonols and small boost of caffeine. It also contains magnesium, which is one of the micronutrients important for metabolizing energy. Furthermore, eating a small square of rich and satisfying dark chocolate might help you stay away from processed sugary snacks that will make you crash later in the day, and are just generally bad for your health.
7. Almonds, Legumes, and Other Nuts
Almonds, legumes, and other nuts are a great source of energy and health rich nutrients. These plant-based, high protein foods are good for your general health and will leave you feeling energy-rich and ready to tack the challenges of your day. These are some of those low glycemic carbohydrates that will metabolize slowly and prevent your blood sugar from spiking. However, this particular group of foods have even more benefits to offer. One 2014 study from the Brigham and Women's Hospital shows that nut consumption can improve attention and cognitive function in older women. Almonds, in particular, have been shown to increase levels of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that helps learning and memory.
8. Sweet Potatoes
If you are searching for more complex carbohydrates to replace processed sugars in your diet, sweet potatoes are an excellent source. They are naturally sweet, so you can use them in all sorts of delicious meal combinations. Because they are complex carbohydrates, they will digest slowly, which means you get a steady stream of energy and a stabilized blood sugar level. They are also a nutrient-dense food full of vitamin A and Vitamin C (a couple of those important micronutrients), so they can help you ward off any energy sucking cold or illness that is headed your way. Sweet potatoes are also a rich source of Carotene, which helps reduce your cancer risk.
9. Fresh Vegetable Juice, and Vegetables!
Fresh vegetable juice is a great way to get your energy flowing throughout the day. When you turn vegetables into juice, you take away the vegetable fibers and they become much easier for your body to absorb and digest. The nutrient-rich delivery will send your body a huge energy boost. One of the best vegetables to include in your juices are beets. Popular with runners and endurance athletes, beetroot and beetroot juice will give sustained energy and strength, reduce blood pressure, fight inflammation, and generally make you feel fantastic. A couple other vegetables to consider incorporating into your day are broccoli and celery. Broccoli is high in Choline which is excellent for cognition. Celery is mostly water, so it's a great way to hydrate while satisfying a desire to munch on something.
10. Green Tea
If you're a coffee addict, and feeling tired all the time, you may want to consider replacing some or all of your coffee intake with green tea. Green tea has a small amount of caffeine, so it will still give you that kick, but it won't amp you up and then cause a crash the way that coffee does. Instead, it can provide you with a steady stream of energy and antioxidant boost throughout the day. Furthermore, green tea is associated with reduced anxiety, better memory, and increased attention span to leave you feeling your best and brightest all afternoon and evening.
Get Your Energy Flowing
If you incorporate these 10 food into your diet, you should feel confident that you will soon feel energy flowing throughout your entire day. There’s no need to turn to more coffee and sugary snacks; beat fatigue by giving your body the real, natural fuel that it craves and you will be amazed with the results. Be sure to explore the carefully crafted supplement options available from Pure Vitality, including “Enduro Vitality” and “Deer Antler Velvet”, which could give your body all the little nutrients it has been craving when it comes to daily energy production.
Pure Vitality
Pure Vitality
Pure Vitality a natural supplement company based in an isolated village nestled against the snow-capped Southern Alps of New Zealand. We research health conditions thoroughly to discover the underlying root causes, find the most effective natural remedies, target the root causes rather than use a Band-Aid approach, use a multi-prong approach to fix the root causes from many directions and use high potency ingredients at scientifically supported amounts.
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