Essential Oxygen

How Losing Weight Can Be Done Easily Through Some Mental Tricks

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Guest Post By: Alex Gendron

losing weight

The goal of every weight loss program is to help you get a happier and healthier life and a peaceful and contented mind. It is not right to think that people just want to lose weight so that they can enhance and show off their beautiful body. It is more than that. It is something more than what is obvious.

People who are trying to lose weight are doing it for different reasons. Some are just not feeling comfortable about themselves. For some, they are trying to save themselves from health conditions that may arise from their unhealthy diet and lifestyle. No matter what your reason for taking the road to fitness, you will certainly agree that you want to feel contented.

Some people find it really hard to go on a healthy diet. This is really a challenge especially if you just started. But there are some ways on how you can lose weight without really making it hard on yourself. Here are some psychological tricks you can consider:

 

Be kind to yourself

Instead of acting like you are in some kind of a competition, you can make it easier for you to lose weight by being kind to yourself. Do not rush in losing weight. Avoid unhealthy practices such as allowing yourself to starve. You will still be able to make your weight loss project effective even if you do not starve. The best thing that you can do is to eat healthy food. Give up the ones that will only add to your weight but does not really give your body the nutrients it needs.

active weight loss

Ask yourself questions

There will be times when you will find yourself craving for food. The bad thing about cravings is that it is usually about the unhealthy junk food. If you ever come to the point when you want to have that sweet chocolate, you can suppress the cravings by asking questions that will let you get back to the reason why you are on diet. Is it necessary for you to eat that food? What are the nutritional contents of that certain food? Are there other foods that you can eat instead of that?

 

Look beyond the food

Most people who are into weight loss are only looking at the food as the major factor that affects their weight. This is not right because there are other reasons for your weight gain. Instead of focusing on lessening the food that you are eating, you should look at the other factors that are contributing to your weight. It is not just the food itself. It can be the schedule of your meals, your daily activities and some other habits. Do not forget to look at all the aspects.

 

Create food aversions

If you find yourself in a situation where your cravings are too strong, you can consider creating food aversions as an effective way to suppress yourself. Look for reasons why you shouldn’t eat that food. If you are craving for burgers, fries and other food from a certain fast food, you can just think of some stories about the store that will make you change your mind.

 

Don’t panic if you hit a plateau

In your weight loss journey, there will be instances when you will be hitting a plateau. This is according to LipoSci Labs. These are the times when your weight isn’t changing and your efforts do not seem to be effective. You don’t have to panic when you reach this point. It is normal for the body to stop changing for a while. Take this opportunity for you to rest because your body needs that. One of the best ways to deal with this is to change your diet. This way, your body that has already adjusted will be able to go back to the weight loss pattern.

bodybuilding weight loss

Identify your intrinsic motivation

Everybody needs a motivation. With this, you need to be sure of the goals you want to achieve. Why do you want to lose weight? Just by asking yourself this question, you will be able to get back your eagerness to continue with what you have started. Every time you feel like giving up, always think of the goal that you have set during the starting point. This will let you get back on your feet. Do not give up because you feel tired. With a concrete goal, you will be able to continue no matter how many discouragement you hear.

 

Pay attention to what you are eating

Most people do two things at the same time. This should be avoided at all cost when you are eating. Do not watch while you eat because you will lose track of the amount of food you have already consumed. When you eat, make sure that your full attention is on the food.

 

Keep feeding your resolve

The power and the will to achieve a healthy body should be stronger than the alibis. Keep on feeding your will to be healthy. You can do this by reading or watching inspirational videos of people who became successful in losing weight and achieving a healthy body. You can also look for a mentor. Go to the gym, look around you and see how all these people are trying their best and pushing to their limit just to stay fit. This simple view will give you a reason to move forward and to do things better.

 

Choose a dietary approach that works for you

There is not specific dietary approach that will work for everyone. You need to try all the approaches that you have in mind until you get the one that will work for you. As a beginner, you need to be patient with yourself. You will constantly experience the trial and error phase. Do not give up until you get the perfect blend of weight loss program that will work for your own benefit.

It may not be easy to lose weight but it will always be worth it.

6 Morning Habits That Will Transform Your Day

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Guest Post By: Dr. Kojian

morning habits

Have you ever experienced having a bad day because you had an unpleasant morning? Naturally, most people who wake up not in the mood tend to have a rough day ahead of them. Conversely, waking up in a great mood creates a pleasant vibe all day long. This is why you would normally hear someone pleading not to make a mess or scene during the morning hours – because, it can ruin the day.

Along with the tone of your morning hours, your morning routines and habits are also important factors in this matter. They dramatically affect as well the mood of your day. So, if you really want to have a great day ahead of you, try to assess your morning routines.

Whether it’s the daily drinking of your weight loss pills or the morning exercise routines, check every habit that you do once you wake up. If you think that there’s nothing wrong with them and yet you still get those unpleasant days, try to incorporate these 6 morning habits on your routines that can certainly transform your day:

1. Drink a glass of water before you do anything
A hydrating first thing in the morning can do a lot of wonders to your health and physique holistically. Sleeping in a full 6 to 8 hours can pretty much dehydrate your system. So, it’s quite essential to drink a glass of water once you wake up.

Now, dehydration can cause several issues to your body and mind which can lead to unpleasant moods. For instance, your brain cannot function fully if it does not receive the right amount of water. Also, your alertness and mindfulness are not quite effective which all factors that can affect your mood are. So, instead of grabbing your warm cup of coffee or tea as you wake up, drink a glass of water first before having other kinds of drinks.

2. Visualizing – Feeling yourself
Visualizing or feeling yourself in the morning is a great practice that can fully transform your day. Picturing yourself in a great mood can create the pleasant vibe in your surroundings. You can do this in many forms or ways.

Once you wake up, before you take a shower or eat your breakfast, try to close your eyes and imagine the things you want to accomplish or the goals you would want to achieve. This will set the mood of your day. Also, you could try to make a thorough To-Do list. List all the tasks that you want and need to do for the day. Additionally, you may create a vision board as well. Place all the things that you want to see here in the morning. The things that you know will help you make feel great.

3. Mindfulness meditation
Along with your visualization practices, complement it with a short mindful meditation just right before you start your day. It could be as short as 5 minutes.

Apparently, meditation can prepare your mind and body to the stress that could possibly go along your way. It calms and relaxes your mind and body so that you can respond to any stress and anxiety appropriately. In fact, people who practice meditation daily appear to be much more happy and pleasant.

4. Go outside
Another morning habit that can help you transform your day is to actually go outside and be in contact with your surroundings. You can do this once you wake up or after you hydrate your system. Whether you would just do a few breathing exercises or even jog, being connected outside also helps your mind and body to relax.

Research suggests that becoming mindful and connected to the outside world has a significant and positive impact on one’s mood.

5. Have a great breakfast
Have you ever notice how tired, exhausted, and stressed you are when you miss the most important meal of the day?

There is a reason why breakfast is stated as the most important meal of the day. Apparently, you can always miss the dinner but never the first meal of the day. This is because it significantly affects your mind, body, mood, and overall health.

But, having a meal in the morning period does not only denotes that you should eat something. You should also be very mindful of the types of food that you eat. Opt to have a healthy meal that includes carbohydrates, protein, fiber, and vitamins. Filling your stomach appropriately can largely affect your mood.

6. Listen to something inspiring
When you wake up in the morning, you should not only visualize yourself. But, you should be able to encourage and inspire yourself as well. When you start your day feeling energized, inspired, and determined, it will be all easy for things to fall into its place.

The best way to do this is to listen to something inspiring. Whether it’s a podcast or a video talk, you should practice to include this habit every morning. This will help you start the day right. As a result, it will be difficult for anything or anyone to stress you out.

These morning habits may seem too easy to do but when you apply yourself, it can be quite challenging. Nevertheless, if you really want to stay positive, pleasant, and lifted all throughout your day, these practices will certainly help you.

A Caregiver’s Guide to Lowering Cortisol Levels

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Guest Post By: Vive Health

hand holding caregiving

Positively adapting to negative sources of stress and trauma in your life is an essential part of caregiving. Some researchers call this process resilient coping while others call it stress management . . . whatever name you give it, you can be certain that the way you respond to stress in your life will directly affect how well you are able to provide care to your loved one.

You have likely already heard of one of the major players in your stress response system, cortisol. But do you know exactly what it is and how your body uses it? Don’t miss this quick caregiver guide to understanding cortisol and how to lower your own levels:

 

What is Cortisol?

Commonly referred to as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is a primary hormone that is released by your adrenal glands when you encounter a perceived threat or external source of stress. As a key player in your body’s internal alarm system, cortisol, along with adrenaline, cues your fight or flight response.

While adrenaline is the source of your increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure, it is cortisol that enhances the way your body utilizes its glucose stores by increasing your blood sugar levels and boosting the availability of substances the body needs to repair tissue. This protective biochemical process is necessary for healthy functioning, however, sometimes it can go haywire, especially when stress is chronically present over extended periods of time.

 

What are the Symptoms of High Cortisol Levels?

In addition to communicating signals to your brain regarding fear and mood, cortisol production also alters your immune responses and suppresses important processes like digestive functioning. An overproduction of cortisol activates these stress responses and they essentially stay in “on” mode for much longer than they need to be. This can lead to symptoms and side effects including:

  • Headaches

  • Increased appetite and weight gain

  • Sleep problems

  • Anxiety

  • Memory impairment

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Depression

  • Digestive troubles

  • Heart disease

 

How Can I Lower My Cortisol Levels?

For a more in-depth understanding of your personal exposure to chronic stress and how it’s affecting your cortisol levels, definitely start a conversation with your doctor. At home, however, you can learn to control cortisol levels and naturally lower them with these helpful steps:

Exercise – the very practice of exercise stimulates positive hormonal activity in the body including the production of serotonin and endorphins that help boost your mood and make you feel good. Squeezing 30 minutes of exercise into your day may seem like an impossible feat, however, when you break it up into smaller increments of 10 or 15 minutes, you develop more attainable goals.

Physical fitness ideas for caregivers include taking a brisk 15-minute walk, practicing yoga at home (stream a free instructional video on Youtube), doing body weight exercises like planks and squats, and strength-training with resistance bands or lightweight dumbbells.

Manage your anger – a 2016 study published in Stress and Health looked specifically at caregivers of people with autism and found that those who exhibited high-resilience characteristics released less cortisol into their system. Caregivers with low-resilience responses and who were more prone to anger, on the other hand, released higher levels of cortisol.

Managing anger responses takes practice but healthy habits can help like meditating, recognizing your anger triggers and trying to avoid them, talking to a counselor, and practicing deep breathing as a precursor to responding in a stressful situation.

Modify your diet – while you might associate your diet largely with how you “look,” it’s actually a primary contributor to how you “feel” on a regular basis too. Foods that help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels and fight inflammation have been shown to help with hormonal imbalances and bring cortisol levels back into normal ranges.

How can you get started? Incorporate more foods with essential nutrients (and phytonutrients) as well as fiber, antioxidants, protein, and probiotics. This means ditch the salty, sugary, fried and fatty processed foods and up your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, healthy fats like coconut oil and avocado, and lean proteins like eggs and fish.

Seek social support – researchers aren’t clear exactly why, but strong social safety nets that consist of people and programs you can rely on in times of crisis and chronic stress seem to counteract cortisol overproduction and increase longevity. Emotional support systems for caregivers may include professionals like therapists and doctors as well as other members like family, friends, faith groups, in-person and online support groups, co-workers, confidants and so on.

 

EMF Hacks [INFOGRAPHIC]

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EMF means an electromagnetic field, which is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the EMF.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences categorized EMFs into two different groups:

  • Low frequency / non-ionizing EMF radiation.  EMFs with lower frequency than visible light that are non-ionizing radiation. Examples include EMFs from microwave ovens, computers, visible light, WiFi, cell phones, Bluetooth, power lines, and MRIs.
  • High frequency / ionizing EMF radiation. These EMFs have higher frequencies than visible light, which are ionizing radiation. Examples include ultraviolet (UV) light, X-Rays, and Gamma rays. These EMFs can, under certain circumstances, lead to cellular and or DNA damage with prolonged exposure.

Chronic high levels of low-frequency EMF exposure can contribute to insomnia, anxiety, depression, brain fog, dizziness, frequent illnesses, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalances and increased cancer risk. It’s important to remember that the strength of a magnetic field decreases dramatically when you increase the distance from the EMF source.

Check out the below EMF hack infographic on ways to reduce the impact of EMFs on your health.

EMF Hacks Infographic

 

How can you find out if you’re being exposed to EMFs?

If you’re concerned about EMF radiation emitted by a power line or substation in your area, you can contact your local power company to schedule an on-site reading. You can also measure EMFs that might be within your home or workplace by yourself with the use of a gaussmeter, which is available for purchase online through a number of retailers.

 

Additional Resources

5 Ways to Get Rid of Coffee Stains on Your Teeth at Home

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Written by Kathy Gallo

teeth whitening

As any dedicated coffee drinker will know – as well as those who enjoy tea or red wine – our daily brew comes at a price: drinking coffee (or tea or wine) stains teeth. This creates quite a dilemma. We don’t want to give up our favorite beverage but we all want beautiful, white teeth.

If you want to continue drinking coffee but you are looking for a way to maintain your bright and shiny smile, we have a list of methods for whitening teeth at home – as well as some suggestions for avoiding the stains in the first place.

How do teeth stain?

Before we give you our tips, let’s look very briefly at how coffee and other drinks stain teeth.

Our teeth consist of several layers, the outermost of which being the enamel. Enamel is the hardest and most mineralized substance in our body and protects the more delicate layers below.

The enamel on our teeth is covered in microscopic holes. When food or drink becomes stuck in the holes, the enamel becomes stained. This is known as “extrinsic staining”.

However, if we do not regularly clean this extrinsic staining, the tooth below can also become stained; this is known as “intrinsic staining”. Intrinsic staining is much harder to clean, and for this reason, it is very important regularly to remove stains from our teeth.

How can you remove stains from your teeth at home?

Here are our top five tricks for whitening teeth and removing coffee stains at home without the need to see a dentist.

Use a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mix

food grade hydrogen peroxide essential oxygen HP

This is one of the most popular DIY methods for removing stains. First, you need to prepare a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Take a container to mix it in and start by adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Then add some baking soda and stir to make a paste.

Once you have made your mixture, there are two ways to use it. Either you can use the mixture to brush your teeth just like with a toothpaste or you can spread it over your teeth and leave it to act for around 15-20 minutes. After you have finished, brush your teeth with regular toothpaste.

Some people might be alarmed at the idea of putting hydrogen peroxide in their mouth since this is the same chemical we use for bleaching hair – but actually there is nothing to worry about at all since hair bleach is a completely different product.

The hydrogen peroxide you use for your teeth is nowhere near as strong as hair bleach: it is a perfectly safe and commonly-used teeth-whitening product. You can buy it online or over the counter; Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide from essentialoxygen.com is a recommended product.

Use a home teeth-whitening kit

Teeth-whitening kits also commonly use hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. There are at least two kinds.

In one kind, you apply the product to a guard which you then place over your teeth. After leaving for a specified amount of time, you remove the guard.

The second kind is similar, but this time uses strips. You place the strips on your teeth and leave them to do their job. When the allotted time has passed, you then remove them. However, using these products in the long term can damage your teeth and gums.

Use a whitening toothpaste or a polish

tooth polish

One of the easiest ways to whiten your teeth at home without the need to see a professional is to use whitening toothpaste. These products are easy to find in any store that sells toothpaste; you simply use it instead of your regular toothpaste.

There is some controversy over these products, however. Most whitening toothpastes contain tiny abrasive particles which polish your teeth by scratching them. Prolonged use may wear the enamel on your teeth. Since enamel doesn’t grow back, this can lead to permanent damage.

Another similar option is to buy a tooth-whitening polish such as BR Tooth Polish from essentialoxygen.com.

Oil Pulling

For those who don’t like the idea of using chemicals on their teeth, a more natural option is to use oil in a practice known as “oil pulling”. The method is very simple: you simply swish a tablespoon of oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes before spitting it out.

You can use any oil. Traditionally, sunflower or sesame oil were used but now coconut oil is a popular choice. Coconut oil also has the added benefit of killing bacteria, helping maintain your oral hygiene.

Swill with apple cider

This is a very simple technique. Simply swill with apple cider for 10 minutes or so, spit and brush. This is not recommended in the long term since apple cider is acidic and will damage your teeth.

3 tips on how to avoid stains in the first place

Add milk

By adding milk to your coffee, you will lighten the color of the coffee and so reduce its ability to stain. The proteins in animal milk also bind to the staining polyphenols in coffee and carry them to the stomach where they can be broken down.

This method also works with tea – but you might not want to try with red wine!

Drink through a straw

If you drink through a straw, the coffee will not wash over your teeth and so will not have chance to stain them. This is an effective method of avoiding stains, but some might find it strange with hot coffee.

Rinse your mouth after drinking coffee or brush your teeth

After drinking coffee, simply rinse your mouth with water. This will remove some of the damaging acidity from your teeth.

You can also brush your teeth after coffee – but you should wait an hour since the acidity of coffee leaves your enamel slightly weakened. And there is another situation, How about if you just finished tooth extraction, should you drink coffee or how to avoid stain? you can find the answer here.

Either way, each time you reach for your Keurig coffee machine or other favorite brewing system, don’t forget to clean your teeth and mouth after!

Continue enjoying your coffee – and keep smiling!

We hope this list of tips has been useful. If you follow our advice, there is no reason why you should have to sacrifice your favorite drink or give up your dazzling smile.

If you take steps to prevent stains from happening as well as removing stains regularly when they occur, you can continue enjoying your coffee while maintaining the white color of your teeth. If in any doubt, don’t hesitate to consult a dental professional.

 

Eco Friendly Father’s Day Gift Ideas (That Won’t Break The Bank)

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By: Emmi Buck

father's day gift ideas

This Father’s Day, try and be green-minded as you shop for your pop. When we say green, we mean both eco-friendly AND money saving 😉

Check out the below list of gift ideas for your dad that will make dad smile and won’t harm the planet or your wallet. 

 

indosole vegan recycled shoesindosole vegan recycled shoesindosole vegan shoes

 

Indosole Shoes     $35 – $75

https://indosole.com/

Dad will love these shoes for their comfort and be even more excited about helping our planet by up-cycling tires that would otherwise become trash and pollution. Indosole help to alleviate the problem of 1.5 billion tires being dumped each year by turning them into fashionable and functional shoes. Thrown out tires sit in stockyards, illegal dumping sites, and even rivers (yikes!). In tropical countries, tossed out tires can become breeding grounds for mosquitos, which lead to nasty diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Get dad some super hip Indosole shoes and he will help spread the word about the importance of repurposing old goods!

 

alpine start coffee

Alpine Start Gourmet Instant Coffee     $8.99

https://alpinestartfoods.com/

Pops loves his coffee? You should turn him on to Alpine Start instant coffee. These are outdoor folks with a major love for coffee, and their products are nothing short of amazing. Their flagship product, the instant coffee pack, is nothing like the mediocre instant coffee you’ve tried before. They have a patented process for creating their powdered instant deliciousness, and it is out of this world good. They offer original blend coffee (SO GOOD), a coconut creamer latte, and also a dirty chai latte – all of which are focused on high-quality as well as environmentally friendly.

eco friendly golf balls dixon

Dixon Golf Balls     $39.96

http://www.dixongolf.com

If your dad likes to golf, get him some golf balls that’re engineered to have less impact on our planet. Dixon golf balls are comprised of heavy earth salts rather than heavy metal fillers. Also, with the purchase of a Dixon item you are contributing a tree to the ecosystem. Dixon pledges to plant one tree in honor of the all products sold online. They also make every effort to use materials such as SEC certified bond paper and recycled Kraft paper in their packaging needs.

 

bees honey

Poor Valley Beehives     $80+

https://www.poorvalleybeefarm.com/

Starting a beehive might be on your dad’s checklist, and even if it isn’t we bet he would love this concept. Not only will it help your families’ garden, but it i good for the whole ecosystem in your neighborhood! Help save the bees, boost your home garden’s productivity and health, and get delicious homemade honey all at the same time!

 

Recycled Beer Glasses     $15.99

https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/recycled-beer-glasses?source=related

Whether your father likes beer or lemonade, these recycled glasses are sure to be a hit. They’re handmade in Colombia of discarded, recycled and repurposed glass, these glasses are sure to add a sophisticated twist to any bar collection. These sturdy glasses have a slight green hue from the building and car window tints originally added to lessen the sun’s glare, and dad will have a great story to tell when he pours his friends a drink.

avalon organics shave cream

Avalon Organics Shave Cream     $7.99

https://www.avalonorganics.com/en/products/bath-and-body/shave/aloe-unscented-moisturizing-cream-shave/

This shaving cream is not only very affordable, but also is great for your dad’s kin and the environment. Avalon’s gentle, replenishing blend of aloe vera, beta-glucan and plant extracts provides soothing moisture plus razor lift and glide while helping speed repair of nicks and irritation. Your dad’s skin will feel soft, smooth and comfortable after every shave.

 

Framani salami

Framani Meats & Cheeses     $18+

http://www.framani.com

Foodie father? Look no further. Framani’s mission is to keep old world food traditions alive in taste and craft, using ingredients of the highest quality from sustainable sources.Their meat comes from family farmers committed to the well-being of their animals and their land. The animals are never given antibiotics, artificial growth hormones, growth-promoting agents or meat by-products, and are raised on pasture or in deeply bedded pens.You can find their products at many nearby quality stores like Whole Foods, Bristol Farms, Andronico’s, Mollie Stone’s, Central Market, and more!

 

All Good Sunscreen

Photo by Tanya Boggs

All Good Sunscreen     $7.99 – 59.99

https://allgoodproducts.com/shop/reef-friendly-sunscreens/

Does dad spend a lot of time outside? Make sure he is protecting himself from harmful cancer-causing sun rays without exposing himself to extremely harmful chemicals. Most sunscreen products contain ingredients that are not only harmful to humans, but also very detrimental to our ecosystem, especially aquatic life. All Good makes products that are reef-friendly, utilizes solar power at their manufacturing plant, oppose GMO ingredients, and use recycled packaging materials.

 

potted plants

Get Dad A Tree or Plant!     $15+

Head to your local nursery or store that sells plants and trees, then pick out whatever seems most suited to your dad! Whether it’s an apple tree or tomato plant, your father will love planting his own growing item to call his own! You will not only help our planet with this gift, but you’ll be providing dad with years of fun and memories to come.  

 

Sustainable Socks From Thought    $6 – $60

https://www.wearethought.com/sustainable-socks/

We’re pretty sure it’s a proven fact that dads love new socks. We guarantee you father will love these comfy feet-huggers, because who doesn’t love a nice new pair of socks? Treat your father’s feet to heavenly hemp or super soft bamboo fibre socks. These eco-friendly socks are ridiculously comfy, durable and come in loads of different colors and patterns.

 

The Truth About MCT Oil

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By Guest Blogger: Janine Einhellig

 

If you haven’t ran across the ketogenic diet yet, you will soon.  Someone you know will be trying it, or even a celebrity will claim it’s their secret health solution.  The ketogenic diet is a high fat, low carb diet, with the intent of keeping your body in ketosis, aka fat burning mode.  To do this, there are a few supplements that have become popular in the keto word. One of those popular supplements is MCT oil.  Some people will tell you it’s the best thing since sliced bread, others will tell you they don’t care for it. So what’s the real deal with MCT oil?

So What Is MCT Oil? 

MCT is more than just a cool stage name, it actually stands for medium-chain triglycerides. Medium chain triglycerides have no less than 6 carbon chains (anything less than that is short-chain) and no more than 12 (anymore more than that is long-chain). 

MCT oil is derived from the medium chain triglycerides in fractionated coconut and sometimes palm kernel oil. What does fractionated mean? Fractionated just means that the long-chain fatty acids have been removed from the oil in a steam distillation process; this leaves behind just medium-chain fatty acids. 

coconut oil
Does It Matter What Oil I Take? 

YES! Here’s a little science as to why not all MCT oils are actually MCT oils. MCT breaks down into four sub groups. 

1. Caproic Acid (six carbons) 
2. Caprylic Acid (eight carbons) 
3. Capric Acid (10 carbons) 
4. Lauric Acid (12 carbons) 

Only caprylic acid and capric acid have potent ketogenic effects on the body, according to one study out of many. That’s not to say that caproic and lauric acid don’t have benefits, they do, but they don’t have the fat-burning benefits of caprylic and capric acid. 

So if you are considering supplementing with a pure MCT supplement, look for one that is either completely C8 (caprylic acid) and/or C10 (capric acid). A few MCT supplements may talk about lauric acid, avoid those if ketosis is your goal. 


Can I Just Eat Coconut Oil Instead of Taking MCTS? 

Yes, yes, you definitely can, but the benefit may not be the same. If you do decide to simply intake lots of coconut oil, make sure to choose a high-quality, virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil. The more refined versions may have less amounts of the right types of medium chain triglycerides (even lauric acid, which for the sake of the keto dieter isn’t really an MCT despite its other health benefits), so be choosy about which brand you get. As far as palm oil is concerned, most palm oils on the market are harvested using damaging methods. If you do decide to supplement with palm oil, look for a company that uses sustainable methods. 

Benefits of MCT Oil: Ketosis and More 

A little history behind the ketogenic diet: it was actually used as a highly effective and therapeutic treatment for epilepsy. With the advent of epileptic drugs pushed by the pharmaceutical, the popularity of the keto diet declined. Its benefits, however, still remain. There have been several studies that have shown great improvements in epileptic patients, one in particular where nearly 56% of patients has greater than 50% reduction in seizures.

So how does this tie into MCT oil? MCT oil is loved by keto dieters because it supplies a quick source of energy to the liver and it is difficult for the body to convert it to fat, unlike olive oil (as healthy as olive oil is, moderation is still key) or even many brands of refined coconut oil. This may help ease the body into ketosis faster.  In fact, in one study people using MCT oil lost a much greater amount of weight than those who used olive oil as a replacement.  But the benefits of ketosis are more than just rapid weight loss. 

Ketones Protect Against Neurodegenerative Disease 

Alzheimer’s, dementia, and “milder” neurodegenerative diseases have risen in scary and epic proportions the last decade. Fasting (eating no food and just drinking water) has been shown to quickly induce a state of ketosis and boost BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which is important in brain plasticity and memory.   

Obviously fasting for long periods of time is not sustainable, so in enters the keto diet, which mimics the therapeutic effects of fasting while still allowing food. Because of its help increasing ketones, MCT oil is one of the best ways to maximize your results. 

Improves Satiety 

Dramatic blood sugar dips really do a number on your hormones and mental health, not to mention cravings. While the keto diet alone may minimize any blood sugar drops, MCT oil may also help to improve satiety because it provides an instant, easily-digestible source of satiating energy, without the carbs. More stable blood sugar may lead to longer or more intense workouts, which in turn can boost fat burning. 

MCT Oil Cons 

As with any supplement, there are a few drawbacks with MCT oil:

    • Expensive 

 

  • Leads to Easy Shortcut Mentality 

 

 

Some MCT oil can be rather pricey. That being said, any high-quality oil, coconut or olive, will have a higher price tag than cheap knockoff brands. 

In addition, many people don’t want to actually put in the work of doing the ketogenic diet but instead just want to “pop a pill” (or take a tbsp. of oil) and call it a day. The benefits of supplementing with MCT oil will be minimal if you are indulging in junk food or even “healthy” high-carb meals like plates of pasta, sushi, bread, and so on. For some, MCT oil is just the right boost they need to supplement their keto diet for health, weight loss or exercise needs, not to replace it. 

Conclusion 

MCT can be helpful, if: 

-You already do the keto diet and want a boost 
-You are struggling to maintain energy or blood sugar levels 
-You want to replace your other fats with MCTs to maximize results


MCT oil may not be helpful if: 

-You use it to try to cover up bad eating habits
-You choose a cheap brand low in C8 and C10 

It’s so easy to include MCT oil in your diet. Blend it with coffee or good-quality green tea and vanilla stevia for a powerful fat-burning drink or use it in salad dressings. You can even use it for cooking because the fats in it are so stable, so be creative and have fun!

 

Author Bio:  Janine Einhellig is owner and author at KetoDomain.com, a website focused on helping people achieve success on the ketogenic diet through information, meal plans and coaching.  Janine enjoys writing and operating Keto Domain because of the great impacts the ketogenic diet can have on quality of life.

Water Bottle Wisdom [INFOGRAPHIC]

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Water is life and water bottles are vessels of life. Love yourself and the planet by drinking  enough water, drinking pure spring water, carrying your own water bottle to avoid single use plastic and the BPA they leach and keep the stinky slime out of your water bottle by rinsing it weekly with 3% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydro flask and S’well are two brands we like for durable and eco-friendly water containers.
water
Check out the below infographic with tips on how to keep yourself healthy by staying hydrated, finding clean water, and cleaning your water bottle properly.
water infographic
Curious about how much fluoride is in your area’s tap water? Check out Fluoride Alert to search for your state and get news on the issues with fluoride in our drinking water.
water glasses
Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water each day, and we challenge you to encourage friends and family to do the same! Share your tips on how to remind yourself to drink water, or how to reach your water drinking goals each day, in the comments below!

Flax- The Ancient Seed for Weight Loss

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Guest Post By: Michael Morelli

flax seeds

Are you looking for a way to lose weight but you are already tired of the usual tips that are not working? There is a simple but effective way that you can consider in losing weight. With this technique, you do not have to be hard on yourself. All you need to do is to add this wonder seed to your diet and you will certainly have a control over your weight and you can also help improve the condition of your heart and your blood pressure. If you are planning to consider custom meal plan, check out this information about flaxseeds.

 

What are Flaxseeds?

Flaxseeds are also called linseeds with the scientific name Linum usitassimum. It comes in two varieties namely brown flax and golden flax. This seed has originated from the Middle East and it is known as one of the most ancient crops in the world. This seed is known to have contents that can fight against prostate cancer, skin cancer, and even colon cancer. This is one of the most important effects of the seed that most people do not know about. Aside from this, it also contains antioxidants and fiber that can also be great for your health. It is not a secret that flaxseeds are very helpful in increasing the immune system and in developing the condition of the heart because it contains Omega-3.

 

Flaxseed and weight loss – the science behind it

If you are planning to lose weight, you can add flaxseed to your food. It can be perfectly added to your drinks or your vegetable salad. It is not really a mystery that flax seeds can be a great help in losing weight. There is a scientific explanation for this. First, it has more amino acid but it has low carbohydrates. With this, you will not easily feel hungry and unhealthy cravings are lessened. This is very important for people who are really serious about losing weight. Aside from this, flax seeds can also assist you in stabilizing blood sugar.

 

Reasons why you should consume flax seed

Aside from the weight loss effect, there are also other benefits that you will get from flax seed. Here are some of the ways on how it can help you improve your health:

  • It helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels among the people who are suffering from diabetes. This is evident because of the levels of antioxidants contained in the seed. If you want to control your diabetes, you should add consume flaxseed regularly.
  • It can also be helpful in improving your skin condition and in avoiding skin diseases. With its Omega-3 content, your skin cells will surely be developed healthily. It can be the best moisturizer and hydrant for your skin.
  • Flaxseed can also help you strengthen your hair. This is possible because of the Omega-3 acid. This is recommended for people who are experiencing hair breakage.
  • It can also help in detoxifying and in fighting asthma and obesity.
  • Flax seed can also help in digestion. This will help the body in absorbing more nutrients.

 

There are other benefits that are not limited to the ones that are enumerated above.

 

How to use flaxseeds for weight loss

One of the most important things about flaxseed that you need to know is that you can add it to a variety of foods. Here is a list that you can consider:

  • Oatmeal and cereals
  • Muffins, bread, and toast
  • Salads and Sauces
  • Smithies
  • Pasta and burgers
  • Vegetables, chicken, and fish

With all these options that you can choose from, you can easily integrate flax seed to your daily diet. It can be part of your major meals or your snacks.

 

Recipe of flaxseed for weight loss

Here is a perfect recipe that you can add to your list of food that can be possibly added to flaxseed:

Banana Bread Muffins

This is a perfect recipe because you do not really have to add flour. You will need 2 ripe medium bananas, honey, rolled oats, almond meal, vanilla extract, baking soda and ground flaxseed for this. Here is a simple process on how you can make  some flaxseed stuffed muffins:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
  2. Prepare the muffin pan sprayed with cooking spray.
  3. Blend all ingredients in a blender until it becomes creamy.
  4. Pour the mixture in to muffin pan you have prepared.
  5. Bake it for 10 minutes.

You can now enjoy this healthy banana muffin. It can last for a week if you are going to store it in an air-tight container.

 

With all the information provided above, flax seed is indeed one of the wonder seeds that are available for everyone. Consider the tips about how you can integrate it into your meals and you will surely enjoy its benefits.

 

Author: Michael Morelli

Michael Morelli

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