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Weight loss help |
Supplements to Improve Energy, Vitality, and Exercise Ability
Everybody knows that an important part of
a weight loss plan, and of a healthy lifestyle in general, is exercise. But
sometimes (a lot of the time!) exercise can feel like the last thing you
want to do. Even a walk to work or a game with the kids can feel like a
chore.
Of course, the irony of this situation is that we want to
work out to lose
weight, but being overweight sometimes means we don’t have the energy to
exercise. In every dieters life there comes that
awkward-to-nearly-impossible phase in which it takes more energy to work out
than we have.
In order to get through the misty realms of obesity-related fatigue and
depression, and into the land of natural energy and vitality, we may become
interested in the mysterious world of supplements.
Everywhere we turn we see ads and claims that an assortment of herbs,
vitamins, minerals, and enzymes can give us the much-needed energy we are
looking for. And some supplements can be a good choice as long as we
understand what we are taking.
Nutritional Supplements *
Energy and sport supplements often come in
the form of bars or drinks. More often than not, these food replacement
supplements give you energy by hitting your body with large amounts of
carbohydrates or sugar.
These work great if you are a super-athlete training for the Olympics.
However, if you’re not burning thousands of calories a day, they are a very
expensive way of getting food energy you can easily get from natural foods
like bananas, legumes, or even
chocolate. The fact is that these products
will give you a short energy boost of about a half hour, but will do little
to improve your overall level of vitality.
Energy Drugs
Other supplements claim to offer increased
energy and exercise performance because they flood your body with caffeine
or ephedra. These naturally occurring chemicals will give you a hard, fast
energy boost, but it won’t last.
Caffeine and ephedra, although potentially helpful for
short-term weight
loss, are generally more addictive and damaging to your body than helpful.
Always read supplement labels carefully, and if the ingredients mention
caffeine or ephedra, then it may be best to stay away.
Curing Deficiencies
Once you know what to look out for, you
can start looking for a healthful supplement that will work for you. The
first thing you might want to find out is if you are experiencing any
deficiencies.
Many people experience mental tiredness, poor coordination, and other
symptoms of fatigue due to a deficiency of iron or magnesium in their
bodies. Generally speaking, a small increase in daily intake of iron or
magnesium, such as can be had from a multivitamin, may help to improve the
overall energy level.
Vitamin Supplements *
There are also some vitamins and enzymes
that our bodies may get just enough of when on a restrictive weight loss
diet, however, a little daily boost can do a lot to improve our energy,
alertness, and overall physical and mental performance.
B vitamins * are one of these. A compound supplement containing vitamins such
as B12, Biotin, and Folic Acid can potentially help our bodies burn fuel and
produce increased levels of red blood cells, factors which play a major role
in improving our energy level.
Beneficial Enzymes *
In the world of energy-beneficial enzymes,
NADH is the star of the moment. NADH is the active form of the B3 vitamin.
It works to convert the food you eat into energy, something your body does
naturally, but which can be significantly increased by the use of a NADH
supplement.
* As with all supplements, it is important to consult your doctor and
get all the facts before starting on a regular treatment program. The
same is true for herbal energy supplements. Although herbs are often treated
more as food than medicine, they can be surprisingly powerful.
Herbal Supplements
Herbal formulas containing substances such
as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and bee pollen are all popular natural energy
boosters with some evidence supporting their beneficial properties.
The key to benefiting from these supplements is to be sure that you are
buying a very high quality product. Because herbs are so trendy these days,
it is easy to get sucked in by cheaply made products. Unfortunately, these
are generally low quality, and may even contain toxins.
Finding and using a proven brand of
and Natural Products can make all the difference when it comes to
benefiting from a herbal supplement.
In the end, finding an effective way to boost your energy is all about
figuring out what works for you. Some people have sensitivities that cause
energy supplements to make them exhausted or anxious. When trying a new
supplement, go slowly and monitor yourself for unpleasant side effects.
Supplements can offer dieters big benefits, but only if they are used
properly, and with care.
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