Electrolytes Focus

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!

Find out more about the minerals that your body needs on a daily basis. You need electrolytes daily. But what are they? Electrolytes are minerals (like sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium) that conduct an electrical charge when mixed with water. These electrolytes are essential to the body, and because they conduct an electrical charge are also referred to as salts. Yes, your body needs salt for several reasons. Role of electrolytes in your body The basic function of electrolytes is to regulate the flow of fluid and salts inside and outside of your cells. This is key to ensure you are well hydrated. Water alone doesn’t contain nutrients, so you may be deficient in helping your body send key signals and impulses if you're not providing your body with key essential minerals. Electrolytes: help regulate a variety of your body’s most essential functions, including sending signals throughout your body’s nervous system help maintain a balanced pH and temperature so that your cells and organs are functioning optimally support the digestive system through opening and closing of channels that need an ionic balance help your muscles contract and avoid cramping during activity control the constant impulses in your body to keep your heart beating, lungs breathing and brain functioning optimally supports your immunity and return to health after being ill You cannot have hydration without electrolytes Hydration = Water + Electrolytes When you sweat, urinate, or experience diarrhea, you lose electrolytes along with fluid, which can lead to dehydration and other health problems. Therefore, you're losing electrolytes daily and should replace them daily. While water is essential for staying hydrated, it does not contain significant amounts of electrolytes. Therefore, if you engage in intense physical activity or live in a hot and humid climate, simply drinking water may not be enough to replenish the electrolytes you lose through sweat. Without a balance of electrolytes and water, you can find yourself dehydrated. How to choose the right electrolytes... Electrolyte-rich beverages, such as sports drinks or coconut water, can provide the necessary minerals to help restore your electrolyte balance and prevent dehydration. However, it's important to be mindful of the added sugars and calories in some sports drinks and to choose lower-sugar options. Or you can make your own electrolyte drink using natural ingredients like fruit juice, honey, and salt. Organika's Electrolytes powder provide the essential minerals you need to replenish your body daily, without caffeine and without any sugar. What's even better is that this formula is gentle for everyday use. Want more from your electrolytes? Electrolytes Defence - Essential electrolytes coupled with immune boosting ingredients: zinc, elderberry and echinacea Electrolytes + Enhanced Collagen - Essential electrolytes coupled with Canada’s #1 Collagen Powder† for stronger joints, healthier hair, skin, and nails In summary, while water is essential for hydration, electrolytes are important for maintaining fluid balance and supporting various bodily functions.

How often do we think about the health of our brain? Do we have the potential to think more clearly and improve our memory? What can we do to help prevent age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia? There is so much we can do to keep our brain healthy and being ‘mindful’ now will help us out in our later stages of life. There are many avenues in which you can help support your overall cognition: Exercise your brain Yes, you can exercise your brain! When you do this, you challenge it to make new connections and strengthen old connections. There are some simple activities you can do to exercise your brain and keep it sharp and healthy. Reading, doing word puzzles and crosswords are great exercises for your brain. You can also try using your non dominant hand to write with or perform everyday tasks, such as moving your mouse on your computer. These are simple yet effective exercises for your thinker! If exercised consistently, it can have a profound effect on the health of your brain. Supplementation When it comes to the health of our brain, Lion's mane is great for cognitive support. Lion's mane is known is a nootropic, which is a substance that may help improve memory, enhance creativity and basically support overall brain functioning. Mushrooms, especially Lion's Mane, are great for whole body support, but when it comes to supporting your brain, this mushroom is the king of cognition! Eating right, exercising and getting good quality sleep are some of the most important things you can do for your brain health. Eating right Too much sugar in the diet can have harmful and lasting effects on the brain over time. We are now seeing a rise in what experts call type 3 diabetes. This is a condition like type 2 diabetes, but the brain is the organ that is resistant to insulin. Having type 3 diabetes is thought to lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Long story short, too much sugar can cause a lack of clarity, fatigue and early progression of age-related brain disease. Complement a healthy diet with exercise Exercise brings fresh blood flow to the brain and with that, vitamins and minerals. Exercise also helps control blood pressure which is key in preventing stroke. Sleep Good sleep quality is possibly the MOST important avenue to help protect your brain and keep it healthy. Your body repairs during sleep, especially your brain! There is so much evidence emerging on the importance of a good night sleep and the effects it has on the brain. Extra late nights may be worth ‘rethinking’ and enhancing the quality of your sleep should be priority. When thinking of your overall health goals, don’t forget to include your brain in your health regime. Always talk to your Naturopathic Doctor or healthcare provider before making any major changes in your daily regime, such as strenuous exercise or supplementation.