5 Simple Ways to Love Living Healthy Every Day

Do collagen supplements support weight management or other fitness goals? Collagen has exploded on the health scene for good reason. It helps boost the elasticity and integrity of our skin, supports our joints and muscles, and helps strengthen our gut lining. But what about weight loss? Can a collagen supplement help support weight loss goals, and if so, how? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, accounting for about 30% of the body’s total protein. It is present in all of our tissues and organs, and is essential for many physiological processes. Let’s break down how collagen can support weight loss ... Source of Amino Acids As a source of protein and amino acids, collagen may drive weight loss because it helps with ‘satiety’, our feeling of fullness. When we feel full, with steady blood sugar levels, we tend to eat less and crave less sugar. Although not a complete protein, there is associated muscle mass support and building that is supported when coupled with resistance training. The more muscle we have, the more calories we burn at rest. Organika’s Essential Aminos Enhanced Collagen Protein is a great addition to your routine especially if weight loss is part of your goals, because with all 9 essential amino acids; this collagen powder IS a complete protein. Joint Support Collagen’s ability to strengthen and support our joints, is another way it may aid in weight loss. People living with joint pain, especially Osteoarthritis, know how limiting it can be on their ability to exercise. As collagen is essential for healthy connective tissue in joints, tendons and ligaments, supplementing may help reduce pain, allowing for increased physical activity. Try Enhanced Collagen Bone & Joint for added supplements and support to support aching joints, muscles and further build bone density. Gut Health Maintaining a strong gut lining is important for how our body digests, absorbs and utilizes nutrients from our food. Collagen plays a role in building healthy connective tissue throughout the digestive tract. It also helps ensure a good balance of bacteria. By supporting the gut, collagen helps aid in digestion, immune function and weight loss. For added gut health benefits, try Full Spectrum Collagen 1, 2, 3, 5, 10 – a multi-sourced collagen that also includes chicken broth for added protein and gut health benefits. Beyond Weight Loss Collagen may extend beyond weight loss, in its capacity to help deal with the unwanted side effects of weight loss like loose skin. By strengthening the dermis layer of the skin, collagen may help reduce the appearance of cellulite and sagging loose skin. Studies have shown that supplementing with hydrolyzed collagen peptides help to tighten the skin, improving its integrity and texture. Looking for fat burning? Let’s take it one step further if weight loss and fat burning are your goal. While collagen helps in the ways above, you can add other nutrients that assist in weight loss to any collagen. Organika has done the work for you with Metaboost Fat Metabolizing Complex. This collagen powder offers the same Enhanced Collagen protein from hydrolyzed grass-fed bovine collagen peptides... PLUS has other natural ingredients such as L carnitine and Garcinia to help boost your metabolism. This powder helps to keep you feeling fuller long, burn fat, and support weight management. As you can see, the benefits of collagen are wide ranging. Along with all the reasons we love collagen to support our healthy lifestyle, we can now add weight loss to that list.

You may have heard of electrolytes in sports drinks, and even be aware of some of the natural options available out there. But what do electrolytes actually do and what should you look for in an electrolyte drink or electrolyte supplements? What do electrolytes do? Electrolytes are a group of minerals – including magnesium, sodium, and potassium – that help conduct electricity around the body. They are essential for basically every activity in your body: muscle contraction (like your heart), regulating pH balance, keeping you hydrated and controlling your nervous system function. Why are electrolytes important? Electrolytes are essential to our survival, yet we can easily lose electrolytes through urine and sweat. Overconsumption of diuretic drinks such as coffee, alcohol and caffeinated teas can also reduce our electrolyte levels in the body. This becomes especially problematic when we are sick, as we also lose electrolytes when we vomit or experience diarrhea. Symptoms of low electrolytes levels It can be more common to see extreme symptoms of low electrolyte levels in those who are athletes or practice a ketogenic diet (hint: the keto flu can be better managed with electrolyte supplementation). However, there are common symptoms that many of us experience, that may indicate dehydration or low electrolyte levels, including: Fatigue Headache Dizziness Nausea (with or without vomiting) Trembling Dry mouth and skin Muscle weakness Stiff and aching joints More severe symptoms of electrolyte deficiency include: Change in mental status, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations Poor skin elasticity Rapid heart rate Sunken eyes If you experience these symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately. When to take electrolytes In general, electrolytes can be helpful to keep up with your daily hydration goals, especially on those busy days where remembering to drink water can be a challenge. You can skip that third cup of coffee and reach for some electrolytes – you may even find it more energizing! Some other times you may want to consider taking electrolytes include: When you have been in the heat for an extended period (think summertime adventures!) If you drank a little too much alcohol one night If you are engaging in high-intensity exercise If you are following a ketogenic or low-carb diet, or regularly practice fasting If you are experiencing the flu or a severe bout of diarrhea If you have been feeling more muscle fatigue than usual with no changes to your daily water consumption How to replenish electrolytes First, start with food. Lots of vegetables and fruits can supply you with magnesium and potassium, as well as sea salt to support sodium production. But for many people, this isn’t enough. Supplementing with an electrolyte mix, like Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™, can provide you with these essential minerals. What is the best electrolyte drink? For years, we reached for electrolyte drinks packed with sugar – anyone else remember the days of choosing your favourite colour sugary sports drink for the soccer tournament? However, a few tips to ensure you pick the best electrolyte for your health goals include: Make sure it's sugar-free While glucose is important for many professional athletes, many average fitness folks can get away with consuming their carbs from whole-food sources pre- and post-workout. Look for a higher sodium content Many people shy away from sodium as we’ve been told it can lead to cardiovascular issues. However, studies show that low sodium intake can have the same effect. Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™ powder contains 440 mg of sodium per serving, which is known to support sore muscles. As previously mentioned, this is especially important for those following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, whether they exercise regularly or not. Check the magnesium content Magnesium is always beneficial to have in an electrolyte mix to help with post-workout recovery. Magnesium citrate can be ideal, especially if you deal with muscle cramping. Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™ powder contains 60 mg of magnesium per serving. No added colours or preservatives Look for natural colouring, especially ones that add to the nutritional value of the product, like red beet powder! Today, electrolyte drinks are savvier than ever, not only supporting your mineral needs, but taking a whole-body approach. Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen™ combines nutrients like vitamin C, which is excellent to support tissue repair, plus 5 g of hydrolyzed grass-fed collagen per serving for additional joint support. In addition, you get all the benefits, without the less ideal ingredients like sugar, preservatives and artificial colours.

Your immune system is an amazing army of cells that act like superheroes, fighting off bacteria and viruses. These incredible cells protect you around the clock, and work hard to keep you in good health. When it comes to fueling our immune system, we need to provide it with the proper nutrition. Your immune system needs proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals to be able to function optimally. What your immune system does NOT need is processed foods and refined sugars. Too much sugar can actually weaken your immune defenses for several hours after eating it. So, what can you eat for ideal immune function? Eating nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, power-foods like shiitake mushrooms, and drinking protein-filled drinks like bone broth, will ensure adequate nutrition for your immune army. Why bone broth for the immune system? Bone broth packs a big punch, as it is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and proteins that fuel the immune system. It is also incredibly soluble, meaning that it takes very little effort for us to absorb and utilize it all around the body. Bone broth may also aid in repairing damage in the gut, that can result from poor diets, food-borne illnesses, chronic stress and disease. Because it is full of essential amino acids, bone broth provides food to the cells in our intestines, which play a big role in our immune system. Keeping our intestinal cells strong and healthy is vital in supporting immune function. What else can bone broth do? Besides supporting the immune system, bone broth can contribute to a number of functions all around the body, such as building and repairing. The proteins found in bone broth come from a rich source of collagen, which is used structurally in the body. Collagen helps the integrity of our skin stay strong and smooth. Protein from collagen is also used in the building and repair of our joints, muscle and tendons. When there is any type of injury, there is a need for quality protein to help repair it, and bone broth is a great source of this. Bone broth can easily be added to your health regime, daily or weekly. Check out our blog for some recipe ideas! This nutrient-rich food has been a dietary staple in many different cultures for centuries for good reason. There is no doubt that individuals are noticing the many benefits of bone broth and are keeping this awesome product in the market! Be sure to include bone broth in your next shop. "Stay healthy, eat well and be happy" Amy Wilson XO