Brain Mag (Magnesium L-Threonate with Magtein)

As a holistic nutritionist and fitness coach, one of the most common questions I get from my clients is "Which supplements should I be taking?". Depending on your diet, health concerns, and symptoms, that answer always varies except for one, magnesium. Looking to get a night of restful sleep? Magnesium. Need help with post-workout recovery? Magnesium. Ate a big meal and looking for digestive support? Yup, you guessed it, magnesium. I discovered magnesium when searching for something to ease sore muscles and support deep uninterrupted sleep. As someone who works out daily and often goes to bed with a busy mind, my muscles and mind were becoming tired on all fronts! If I could find a supplement that did that and some...I’d be one happy (and rested), woman! I had been familiar with what magnesium offered and a few of the benefits it offered, but the more research I did, the more amazed I became with this mineral. Magnesium is a mineral but different from others, it's the 4th most needed and used mineral in our bodies. In fact, did you know every cell in our body contains magnesium and needs it to function? It is an essential mineral needed to perform hundreds of reactions that occur in our beautiful vessel. It is especially important when it comes to muscle function and recovery. Here’s why: Helps regulate muscle contractions, especially the heart! Helps with post-workout recovery by preventing a buildup of lactic acid, known to cause pain, tightness and muscle cramping after exercising Essential for the production of serotonin Helps to balance and control stress hormones. This is important for those who not only live a high stress lifestyle, but who work out a lot, causing additional stress on the body Is one of the essential electrolytes needed for efficient hydration Plays a huge role in our sleep, which is crucial for muscle repair, improving mood and keeping our energy high and stable! Taking it for a test run As divine timing would have it, my friends over at Organika were just about to release their newest Magnesium Citrate product, Soothe. I opted to try the watermelon & lime flavour first. A little bubbly, which took me by surprise at first, but having eaten dinner shortly before, was actually quite nice. I also learned after my second try with the unflavoured Soothe, if you let it sit for a minute, the effervescence settles down quite a bit. This made a lovely addition to my chamomile tea. The next morning I was pleasantly surprised to wake up to my alarm A) not groggy, which happens with many sleep aids, and B) not nearly as sore as expected after having had an intense ‘leg day’ the day prior. After several weeks of supplementing with Soothe I began to notice benefits in other areas. As someone who runs on all cylinders, I found myself in the ‘chill’ zone more often and content to be there. My post-workout recovery went very smoothly, with muscles not nearly as sore after big workouts and my mood and energy became much more consistent thanks to a good night’s sleep! Another benefit I wasn’t expecting was using the Watermelon Lime Soothe to curb my post dinner sweet tooth. Because it’s slightly carbonated and naturally sweetened, it stopped my craving dead in its tracks. The following week, I took the product with me on a work trip. I appreciated how well I was able to sleep, which can often be a bit rocky when out of routine. The bottom line I’m very excited about this new product from Organika and cannot recommend it enough. With an improvement in my sleep, muscle recovery and a noticeable difference in my stress levels and nervous system, safe to say, it has become a part of my nightly routine. Pairing Soothe with foods high in magnesium such as leafy greens, bananas, oats, and nuts and seeds are just a few delicious ways we can support our incredible bodies that give so much to us. Have you tried Soothe yet? Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

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.

When it comes to sleep, it is not only important that you are getting enough, but it is also important that are you getting good quality sleep. Sleep is important for physiological reactions all throughout the body, such as hormone regulation, mediating mood, and healing and supporting our immune system. Basically, if your sleep is off, everything will be out of balance. In North America, it is more common than ever for individuals to be sleep deprived. This may be due to many different factors. It really comes down to the health, environments and lifestyles of the individual experiencing sleep issues. There are some common practices that can help improve the quality of a person’s sleep. Below are what I find to be most important when working towards a healthy sleep regime. 1. Blue Light Blocking In today’s society, we are surrounded by blue light; both natural sources such as the sun, as well as unnatural sources like LED lights. Backlit devices (blue light) is artificial light that surrounds us in our homes and is on all screens including smartphones, TV’s, tablets and computer monitors. Staring at these screens into the evening hours can be disruptive to our hormones that play a role in helping us fall asleep. Melatonin is an important hormone involved in helping us to fall asleep and stay asleep. Melatonin is produced in a small part of the brain called the pineal gland. The production of this hormone is stimulated by our natural circadian rhythm regulated by the setting of the sun. When it gets dim out, melatonin is produced making us feel sleepy. If instead we are staring at and surrounded by bright lights come sunset, our melatonin production is inhibited, and we struggle with falling asleep. Consider the below modifications to help keep your melatonin regulation optimal: No screen time two hours before bed. Depending on current habits, this may be something you take small steps to work towards. Start small such as 30 minutes and work your way up to two hours. Unless you have the latest iPhone that automatically is programmed with a blue light filter, you can download an app called f.lux for all of your screen devices. This blue light concept is not new, and there are programs and apps available to filter the blue light from your screens. Consider putting a few red lightbulbs in lamps around your home. When the sun begins to set, turn off the main lights and switch on the red lamps instead. Putting salt lamps near the bed or in the bathroom for those middle of the night trips is a calming way to see your surroundings without stimulating yourself too much in the night with blue light. Another option to block blue light is to buy blue light blocking glasses. You can purchase those on Amazon or at your local department store. You can purchase some orange safety glasses and wear them in the evening hours. The shade of the glasses will block blue light. You may look funny, but trust me, your sleep health is worth it! 2. Make your room sleep-friendly Blackout your room. This means putting up blackout blinds and place a towel in front of the door where light might shine in. There is a ton of research on the adverse effects of even a small amount of light exposure while you are asleep. Light exposure in the middle of the night may make for a groggy morning. Do your best to make your sleeping accommodations as dark as possible. Keep your room simple. You should use your room for sleeping and cuddling only! Try and avoid studying or doing work-related tasks in your bedroom. Keep your bedroom free of clutter. Leave the technology out of the bedroom. 3. Create healthy habits that will enhance your sleep quality Practice going to bed and waking up at the same time every morning. When you are trying this keep in mind that if you are not falling asleep after 30 minutes, it is best to get out of bed and go back when you are ready to sleep. However, if you get up and out of bed, remember your blue blight blockers! When you wake up in the morning, expose yourself to natural light. Head outside for an early morning walk. Exposing yourself to early morning light for as little as 20 minutes will help regulate your natural circadian rhythm. Eat your last meal at least 3 hours before bedtime. This is important because digesting food takes a lot of energy. If you eat close to bedtime, your body’s energy will go towards digesting and absorbing food instead of other actions such as efficiently producing hormones that help you with sleep. Meditate before bed. Try and slow down your mind in the evening. If meditation is not your jam, try reading a book or magazine. Sleep is important! When we are not sleeping properly we will notice it! Weight gain, negative mood changes, and weakened immunity are just some examples of the many problems we encounter with poor sleep quality. The above lists are suggestions that may help to improve your sleep, starting with incorporating one or two small things into your daily routine is a step in the right direction for improved sleep quality. Depending on each individual, there are many ways to help improve sleep quality including supplementing with vitamins, minerals and herbs. If you struggle with sleep it is best to talk to your Naturopathic Doctor to find a health regime that best suits your unique needs. Sleep well, be happy, be healthy! Amy is a certified nutritionist with over 7 years of experience working in the health and fitness industry. She is currently in her third year as a Naturopathic Medical Student and has a special interest in gut and brain health. Find her on Instagram: @amy_kwilson