Month: March 2022

What Is Creatine? – A Steroid It Is Not

Identified in 1832 by Michel Eug?�ne Chevreul, Creatine is a nitrogenous organic acid that occurs naturally in all vertebrate life forms, including humans. The basic function of Creatine is to provide energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle cells during contraction. Creatine is produced by the liver, and up to 95% of it ends up being stored in skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscles are muscles that can be contracted voluntarily, as opposed to the heart, for example. Creatine is produced by the body from the amino acids L-arginine, glycine and L-methionine.

While Creatine is produced by the body, as it occurs naturally in animals it is also absorbed through food, primarily through the consumption of meat and animal products. Both fish and meat – beef, pork, etc – are sources of Creatine, but eating liver and offal is generally the best source of Creatine that can be naturally added to a diet. For those conscious of their Creatine intake, it is very difficult to reach the optimal amounts using only food; for example, one would have to eat over 500 grams of fish (more than a pound) each day to reach recommended Creatine levels, which is why Creatine supplements are so popular.

Creatine supplements are widely available, both in stores and online. Supplements usually take the form of capsules, or powder to be mixed with water or juice.

Creatine and Sports – Besides its everyday use in the body, Creatine is particularly appreciated by athletes and bodybuilders. Creatine has cell volumization properties, meaning that it encourages and promotes water retention inside cells, increasing their size, making it a favorite of bodybuilders. The energy boost Creatine provides to muscle cells also means that bodybuilders can use heavier and heavier weights, increasing the potency of their workouts and speeding up their training.

Creatine is also believed to reduce the build-up of lactic acid in the muscles; lactic acid is an energy waste product that contributes significantly to muscle fatigue.

Because of its energy-boosting properties and its propensity at reducing or delaying muscle fatigue, Creatine is widely used by athletes of all stripes, not just bodybuilders, who consider it a safe alternative to the use of dangerous anabolic steroids. Because Creatine occurs naturally in the body, its use has proven difficult to regulate and it is perfectly legal to use in most disciplines and professional associations.

Creatine and the Medical Community – Creatine is also known to help rebuild damaged muscle, and as such is used by the medical community to treat neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s Disease as well as Parkinson’s Disease.

While Creatine is considered safe, it does carry the risk of minor side effects, such as loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and muscle cramps. People with kidney or liver problems should avoid Creatine supplements, since creatinine (the by-product of Creatine) is filtered by the kidneys.

Creatine is an organic acid with only minor side effects, and which provides many benefits, not only to athletes and bodybuilders, but also to those suffering from certain neuromuscular diseases as well as those recovering from surgery. Just like with any other supplement, it is recommended to consult a health care professional before starting to use Creatine to make sure there are no counter-indications in relation to medication you may already be taking.…

Three Common Causes Of Adrenal Fatigue

Only a decade ago that the term “adrenal fatigue” was discovered, but as people start to discover what it actually means they realize that it is not really something new after all. Actually, a lot of people have been experiencing it for a very long time. It might be considered as prolonged stress, lack of will and so on but the real question is, “What are the causes of adrenal fatigue?” so that people can prevent it from happening or for some prevent it from recurring.

The Common Causes Of Adrenal Fatigue Experienced By Most People

Overworking. This is one of the most famous causes of adrenal fatigue in most people, be it from work, school, or to our surprise even at home. When people are bombarded with a lot of tasks but is not capable of coping with it then that would lead the person to develop minor stress and if not paid attention to will further lead to fatigue.

Lack of sleep. Sleep is a vital activity in every human’s life in order to restore normal functions. Without sleep, the brain cannot focus and tends to slow down. As humans, we use sleep as recharging our energy. Without energy we can never function well thus becoming a symptom of adrenal fatigue.

Constantly Introducing Stress. Stress is certainly one of the causes of adrenal fatigue for most people. Although we may not overwork a lot, but still we can experience stress from the environment, the people we encounter and so on. Just imagine you go to work (a job that you love) every weekdays only to get greeted by your boss who is shouting at you and ridiculing you. Who wouldn’t be stressed with that? I know I would.

I know there are still a lot of causes of adrenal fatigue that still needs to be tackled. Most are fairly common and some may be unfamiliar. What’s important is that we evaluate ourselves if we are already experiencing great stress so we could just stop for a moment and reboot our daily routines before it all actually leads to a more severe condition such as this.…

Shift Workers Exercise – Do You Ever Have Fights With Your Running Shoes?

Now if you’re a shift worker then you may or may not be familiar with a shift workers exercise program. Just the word ‘exercise” can send chills down your spine purely because it can be the bane of our existence.

In simple terms ‘exercise’ can be a Forbidden Word in a shift worker’s vocabulary.

So if you’re like me then you probably have fights with your running shoes all of the time – anything to avoid doing some exercise.

Perhaps your conversation goes something like this… “No! I just don’t want to go!!” or “Leave me alone… I don’t feel like taking you out for a walk today!” or heaven for bid… a run?

Well I’ve figured a way to help stop all of the fighting so that both you and your running shoes remain happy – and get some exercise.

You see, just like you – your shoes need exercise.

It’s important that you undertake some form of shift workers exercise program because it will help you to boost your energy, increase your metabolism and improve your overall well being. So, it goes without saying that you should also take good care of your running shoes and help them do what they’re designed to do – exercise.

So to reduce any fights with my shoes – I set myself up a little “Exercise Pack” the night before. I put my running shoes (well I must admit mine only walk) – t-shirt, shorts, hat and I-Pod all on a chair so that it’s the FIRST thing that I see when I get up, and it’s all there ready and waiting to go.

So now I have no excuse for neglecting my running shoes and for not undertaking a shift workers exercise program. PLUS – it stops any fighting between me and my shoes!! After all – I did pluck these shoes off the shelf at the department store so I have a personal responsibility to look after them.

So how about your running shoes? Are you forever having fights with them? Are they being neglected in your closet and gathering dust?

Well it’s time to dig them out of your closet and give them some exercise – after all, you will both benefit from it enormously!

Need more help with designing a shift workers exercise program? Do you struggle with stress, have a low immune system or you’d just like to know how to get some more zing back into your life, then I recommend you sit down and read – “Why Shift Workers Are So Tired, Unhealthy & Unhappy- And What YOU Can Do to Fix It!”

This Free Report is a hands on report written from one shift worker to another and it’s going to open your eyes to a completely different way of coping with Shift Work. Click Here For Instant Access to Your Shift Worker Report.…

Anti-Fatigue Mats: How They Can Help Get Rid Of Stress

For people who get their main source of living from their jobs, stress is among the number one factors that will hinder them from achieving what they need to achieve. It can also lead to a lot of ailments that can forever have a negative effect on them. Stress can be avoided, though, but with the necessary tools. It cannot be relieved without the proper means.

Among the most stressful and tiring jobs are those that require long hours standing up. It can trigger backache, headache, arthritis, and a whole lot more. Those who are usually subjected to doing this are chefs, waiters, factory workers, department store sales ladies, and gym instructors, among others. You may be wondering how they are able to do what they are supposed to do without getting too stressed out. The secret? Floor mats known to combat fatigue.

Anti-fatigue mats are now among the most saleable in the floor maintenance and the health industry these days. Why? Because they are made specifically to combat the fatigue brought about by the need to stand for long hours doing tasks and chores. They are made for different settings and from different materials and are available in all shapes, designs, and sizes that will suit just about anybody’s taste. Absolutely any type of architectural design will benefit from having them since they can even be made customized these days.

How do anti-fatigue mats work? For one, they are designed specifically to help proper blood circulation by allowing the leg muscles to move the way they should for the blood to keep on flowing. Working on plain, hard flooring will definitely be detrimental to proper blood circulation, and standing up on something softer will definitely do anyone a world of good. Also, they help prevent migraine, headache, backaches, cramping, improper blood circulation, and other diseases that may lead to cardiovascular and bone illnesses like osteoporosis.

There are different types of anti-fatigue mats. There are those that look like just plain rubber mats, and there are those that look weird. But then, they all serve the purpose in mind which they have been made of, that is, to relieve stress in order to be able to make people more productive. Operate on the notion that stress-free people are happy people. Happy people are, in turn, really productive people. Investing in anti-fatigue rubber mats to keep your employees in their optimum well-being is something that can really help you at all times.…

Chronic Fatigue Treatment Options

In order to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, individual signs and symptoms are managed. For instance, since a patient with CFS aggravates his condition by having physical and mental stress, then doctors advise him to slow down in doing activities of daily living. The goal for this chronic fatigue treatment is not to have a complete rest (as this can make your body weaker in the long run), but to maintain a moderate level of activity so that you can increase your stamina.

Another one is regarding pain. To manage this without the use of pharmacology, patients are advised to have deep breathing exercises in order to release the body’s natural pain killers called enkephalins and endorphins. Diverting one’s attention from pain can also help, like encouraging the patient to watch television and listen to music. Pharmacological interventions include giving of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen, and mefenamic acid, and giving of paracetamol.

Exercise programs are also part of chronic fatigue treatment. Initially, physical therapists exercise you slowly, then the exercises become more challenging as long as you can tolerate it. According to research, gradual increase in exercise improves the symptoms of the disorder.

Since psychiatric health is very much related to CFS, sleep problems and depression are also managed whenever possible. Tricyclic antidepressants or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are given to improve sleep, relieve pain, and minimize depression. Changing of sleep habits may also help. Patients are advised to stick to a regular pattern of sleep by avoiding daytime naps, sleeping at the same time each night, and avoiding caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. In addition to this, cognitive behavior therapy is also given so that healthcare providers may identify negative beliefs and behaviors that may delay recovery. These negative beliefs are often replaced with positive ones in this chronic fatigue treatment.

If the patient is hypotensive, certain drugs are also given like fludrocortisones. If nervous system is affected, clonazepam is also prescribed. And if a patient develops allergy-like symptoms, antihistamines are given.

Aside from these, there is an experimental chronic fatigue treatment being researched on. One of these is the use of methylphenidate or commonly known as Ritalin. It is said that this drug may improve the level of concentration since it balances the neurotransmitters in the brain. Corticosteroids were also found to improve the symptoms of CFS in some studies. Even antiviral agents, immune globulins and interferons are being investigated on how they can be part of chronic fatigue treatment by boosting the immune system. However in some patients, some side effects were noted.

In conclusion, the treatment for CFS is not specific and it all depends on the signs and symptoms experienced by an individual. It is very important for patients to work with their doctor, since most drugs given to them need to be taken with precaution. Some of these drugs are psychiatric drugs, therefore there may be side effects. Lastly, never take this disorder lightly, because it is a serious illness and in some patients, they even experience this for years.…

How To Protect Your Health Working In The Office

Many people have to spend almost half of their time in offices. This badly influences their health. The office employees face such challenges as chronic fatigue syndrome, problems with slumber and digestion and visual impairment.

Today there are very few offices where there are no computers. But all the visible advantages apart, there are some disadvantages. Staying in the office, where computers constantly work, for a long period of time leads to heightened irritability, headaches and fast fatigability. Moreover, working at the computer for a long time is damaging for eyes.

It is necessary to make a 15-minutes break every hour if you want to protect yourself from the diseases which are provoked by the influence of the computer monitor on the retina of your eyes. The operators who have to constantly watch the screen should buy special spectral glasses which can be either with the diopters or without them. They make the picture more contrast and protect the eyes from the overstrain.

Besides the direct influence on the operator’s eyes, the working computers change the structure of the air in a room, which badly affects the health of all people inside it. But this problem not always can be solved by simple ventilation, especially if the office is situated in the center of the city. The using of a modern air cleaner is more effective. Such devices not only clean the air from dust and tobacco smoke but also ionize it and destroy viruses and bacteria. The air cleaner helps to fight with lung diseases of the staff, prevents the development of asthma and season allergy to the blossom dust.

If the firm has no dining hall many employees have to manage with sandwiches and coffee. Such situation leads to the problems with digestion. In such cases it is necessary to take the dinner from home, which can be easily warmed up in the microwave own. The compact fridge-bag or the thermo container will help to avoid the spoiling of food if there is no fridge in your office. They preserve foodstuff fresh for 12 hours. Moreover, the fridge-bag can help to cool the drinks when it is hot.…

How to Increase Your Energy and Reduce Fatigue – 5 Natural Energy Boosters

Do you leap out of bed each morning bursting with energy, or do you have to drag yourself to the bathroom and that wake up shower? Like millions of others, do you need that first cup of coffee before you can face the rigours of the day?

You are certainly not alone, as fatigue is the second most treated medical complaint in the USA. Furthermore coffee, while giving that kick start to your day is certainly not the answer to your problem. Firstly, caffeine is well known to cause problems itself and secondly, because the effects of caffeine can last for about 12 hours, then taking coffee later in the day can cause insomnia, which simply adds to the problem.

However, do not despair. Mother Nature has a whole host of natural energy boosters that can significantly enhance your energy levels. Lets look at five of the most popular, effective and completely natural ways to increase your energy and reduce fatigue, naturally.

a) Bee Pollen – is packed full of amino acids, enzymes, glucosides, plant hormones, minerals and vitamins so is it any wonder that it increases energy and vitality?

b) Royal Jelly – is a complex product produced in the hive to nourish the queen bee and cannot be recreated synthetically. It is used widely for its many health promoting benefits including boosting energy levels and reducing fatigue.

c) Siberian Ginseng – used medicinally for thousands of years for stimulating the immune system and for combating stress and depression. Athletes find it helps enhance performance and reduce fatigue.

d) Cayenne – boosts energy by improving circulation and helps to ward off colds, infections, sore throats and even helps reduce pain and inflammation.

e) Gotu Kola – a herb, very popular with herbalists, because with its many nutrients, it provides a fast energy boost. Unlike caffeine, it actually promotes restful sleep.

Of course, this is just scratching the surface and we have only considered five of the many natural products that that will increase your energy and reduce fatigue, substantially.

Mother Nature is a great provider, but we tend to overlook her generosity in favour of prescribed drugs and over-the-counter products, which generally cost a great deal more than those simple natural remedies. Isn’t that strange?

This article has offered just a brief insight into one simple aspect of nature providing effective remedies for your health problems. Why not take a little time to find out what other health benefits you can obtain from “Mother Nature’s Pharmacy”. You might be very pleasantly surprised.…