How to awaken your body from an isolation-induced serotonin slump
Steps to make this “happiness molecule” … well … happy again
Being home 24/7 can mess up our day and night cycles. And the lack of social interactions can affect our moods. These days, we can also throw uncertainty and anxiety into the mix. It turns out that all of these things can impact our body’s supply of serotonin. “Serotonin isn’t just a molecule that contributes to our happiness and wellbeing. It’s also very much in charge of the circadian rhythm. So, when it’s out of whack, our sleep cycles suffer,” explains leading alternative health expert Bryce Wylde, BSc, DHMHS, Homeopath.
What to do if you suspect you are in a serotonin slump
“Generally speaking in this situation, you want to take steps to build more serotonin in your system,” recommends Wylde. He describes three simple ways to make this happen:
- Eat to balance your blood sugar. “Balancing your sugar will help to balance your serotonin. Right now, your body may be craving cakes, breads and doughnuts. But as you follow a blood sugar balancing diet, you’ll have fewer of those cravings.
Start by eating more whole grains, fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables, nuts, beans and seeds. Stay well hydrated. Also try a modified intermittent fasting, where you wake up and fast until about noon.”
- Re-establish better sleep cycles. “Your depth of sleep matters as much as how many hours you’re clocking on your pillow. Start with a cold, dark room; a comfortable mattress and some white noise. Some people find sleep success by taking melatonin or tryptophan supplements but those only work depending on your body’s chemistry. Plus, most of those products will put you to sleep but won’t necessarily help keep you asleep.
A more reliable approach is to take Zenbev within an hour of going to sleep. This is made from a balanced combination of simple, food-based ingredients that encourage the body to make melatonin at night and serotonin during the day. Zenbev contains pumpkin seed powder that is still wrapped in the intact protein bundle that allows for slow release. That’s why it works. It has to do with its molecular size. You can’t achieve the same thing by putting pumpkin seeds in the blender.”
- Eat lunch outside. Anxiety burns serotonin. When you start feeling stressed, do some deep breathing. Better yet: Spend time in nature, especially a heavily wooded environment. Plant life emits negative ions, which increase serotonin output in the human body.”
Wylde also reminds you to get off the couch. “Exercise causes a surge of serotonin production. It also helps the body to manage blood sugar levels. This is why people who exercise frequently tend to be happier and more energetic overall. Just avoid strenuous exercise before bed.”
To learn more about science-based ways to improve your serotonin levels and your sleep, visit www.Zenbev.com.
Bryce Wylde, BSc, DHMHS, Homeopath
Bryce Wylde BSc (hons), DHMHS is a leading health expert specializing in integrative and functional medicine, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, and supplementation. As associate medical director at P3 Health in Toronto, and director of My Health Report, he blends the latest in science and technology with traditional and ancient remedies. Wylde is the author of three national best-selling books, previous host of CTV’s Wylde on Health, and regular guest health expert and medical advisor on “The Doctor Oz” show.
What’s new for breakfast? Break free of your rut with these tasty and nutritious alternatives.
Contributed by Lauren Harris-Pincus.
It’s easy to fall into a home cooking rut. Many of us cycle through the same handful of recipes, made with the same ingredients, week after week. Here is something new to add to the rotation that your entire family will love: sorghum.
“Sorghum needs to become a household ingredient,” confirms Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN. “It’s filled with nutrients and user-friendly, even if you’ve never tried it before. And while it is versatile enough to use for any meal, most people are surprised to learn there are many ways to enjoy it at breakfast.” These include Harris-Pincus’s favorite Strawberry Vanilla Sorghum Parfait and another family favorite, Apple Cinnamon Raisin Sorghum Bake. “Sorghum can also be used as a substitute for oatmeal or other cereals. Just add almond milk, cinnamon, vanilla and a little sweetener.”
Continue readingGame Changer? Five Interesting Plant-Based Diet Facts From Netflix’s New Documentary
Contributed by Veselina Dzhingarova.
Did you know that meat isn’t what gives you energy? That plant-based diets include more than enough protein? Or that Gladiators were, in fact, predominantly vegetarian? It’s true. These are just some of the revelations to come out of Netflix’s documentary, ‘The Game Changers’.
If gladiators could eat fruits and vegetables and still be strong enough to, quite literally, fight for their lives…then why do sports stars, fitness enthusiasts, and the general public still believe they need meat?
How did this misconception start?
Steak. Burgers. Grills. Barbecues. Like most things these days, it’s largely a marketing thing. Plant-based diets have been kicking up a storm for years, and since then claims have continued to emerge that ‘veganism’ fails to deliver the fiber, protein, and energy required to reach peak performance.
Unfortunately, many of these beliefs fuel the stigma around plant-based diets. It’s why people believe that for a man to be a real ‘manly man’ he needs to eat meat. According to Netflix’s newest documentary, it’s a misconception that could lead to serious health issues.
Continue readingHow to Add Chia to a Heart-Healthy Diet
Here’s what you need to know about adding this nutritional powerhouse to your family’s diet
You should be able to find chia-based foods throughout your supermarket including in pastas, oil and non-dairy milk alternatives. Why chia? It is a great source of protein and dietary fiber. But chia is most famous for its abundant ALA omega-3 content.
ALA is the only omega-3 that is considered biologically an ‘essential’ fatty acid because the body can’t make it on its own. You must get it from your diet. The National Institutes of Health recommends that adults consume between 1.1 and 1.6 grams of omega-3 ALA daily. That can be challenging, especially if someone in your family is not a fish eater. Because it’s a plant, chia makes it easy to get enough ALA without having to deal with a fishy aftertaste.
How to choose the best chia products for your family
As food manufacturers jump on the chia bandwagon, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting high-quality chia products made from premium seeds. Chia products should be produced sustainably, so they are as good for the planet as they are for your family.
It’s also smart to check the ingredient labels, especially if you crave plant-based goodness but you’re sensitive to some ingredients. Some non-dairy milk alternatives, for example, may have gluten-containing additives.
Continue readingHow to Reduce Finance-Related Stress
Contributed by Ryan Peterson.
Constant levels of high-stress can lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure, angina, arrhythmia, and heart disease.
There’s no shortage of things that can cause stress in this day and age. Work, technology, the state of the world…the list is endless. Perhaps the one that causes the most stress, in western countries at least, is money. It seems like there’s a significant portion of the public who end up staying awake at night, because they have financial matters on their mind. Let’s take a look at a few tried and tested methods for keeping money-related stress to a minimum.
A Workable Budget
You’ll find it much easier to sleep at night if you know that, at the very least, you’re sticking to a budget that won’t put you in financial difficulties. All too often, people are stressed because they have a sense that their expenses are greater than their income. There are nearly always ways to reduce the amount of money you spend. As well as making sure that your monthly incomings/outgoings are in sync, you should also look at putting some savings to one side. It’s often the surprise expenses that put us in financial difficulties, so a cushion would be very handy!
Continue readingHow to Lower LDL Cholesterol
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol carries mostly cholesterol, some protein, and minimal triglycerides throughout your circulation.
LDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as the “bad” cholesterol because it’s deposited along artery walls and if it becomes oxidized it will form a plaque eventually leading to blockage of your arteries. For this reason, physicians like to see low LDL levels. The American Heart Association recommends LDL cholesterol be below 130 mg/dl and ideally less than 100 mg/dl.
Here are four steps to lower LDL cholesterol diet:
#1 Unsaturated Fats
To lower LDL levels evaluate your diet for saturated and trans fats. You want to replace saturated and trans fats with heart-healthy unsaturated fats, such as omega 3 fatty acids.
Saturated fat intake should be limited to less than 7% of your total daily calories.
Sources include meat, milk, cheese, ice cream, butter, lard, shortening, hydrogenated vegetable fat, palm oil, and coconut oil.
#2 Soluble Fiber
Increase dietary fiber, especially soluble fiber. Eat 25-35 grams of fiber daily and of this at least 15 grams should be soluble fiber. Research has shown that for every 1-2 grams of daily soluble fiber intake, LDL (bad) cholesterol is lowered 1%.
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