L-glutathione Capsules

Chelan Wilkins, RHN National Education Trainer As we find ourselves reaching for those scarves, wool jackets and winter boots we also find ourselves surrounded by the dreaded cold and flu season. Unfortunately, as the weather shifts into to the colder months, the epidemic of sickness start to rise! It becomes very common for workplaces to see an increase of “sick days” and the stress levels accumulate to accommodate the lack of work begin to set in. So how do we stay healthy during the “cold and flu “ season, especially in the workplace? Here are some tips! First, let's talk about where the majority of our immune system resides! 70% of our immune system is located in our digestive tract! Crazy right? So when we talk about keeping our immunity up, we really should focus on our digestive system and the foods we are eating! Lots of people suffer from digestive disturbances, eat a poor diet, drink too much coffee, drink alcohol and suffer from high stress! These are all contributing factors to have a weak digestive tract – “ leaky gut”, IBS and even IBD ( Chrohns, Colitis, ). It is the “good bacteria” that resides in our intestines that keeps the bugs away, and if we have a compromised immune system, low beneficial bacteria leaves a window for our immune system to drop and bacteria’s to set in! This leads to low immunity and an increase of sickness during those seasons. When we find ourselves surrounded by sickness, stress and even in highly populated places that have a high amount of “ germs” how can we protect ourselves from illness and keep our immunity up? Here are a few of my recommendations to staying healthy: Nutrition: Everything that we eat plays a role in our body positively or negatively! Ensuring that we eat nutrient dense foods filled with our essential vitamins and minerals will most definitely help protect us from illness and those unwanted “sick days”. It is essential to eat lots of dark leafy green vegetables filled with our essential B vitamins, alongside vitamin C rich foods such as fruits ( oranges, berries, grapefruits ). If you can eat organic, I highly recommend having them! Organic fruits and vegetables ensure that you are getting those essential vitamins and minerals. I also like to suggest getting in enough healthy fats, to reduce the inflammation in our body and to give us long-lasting energy! Reduce Sugar Consumption: Sugar consumption has been shown to suppress our immune system for up to 8 hours after ingesting it! When we consume a lot of sugar in our diets, it naturally decreases our immunity allowing the chance of viruses and bacteria to set it. This includes all sugars from sweets, candy, and alcohol. Wash your hands: We all have been told to wash our hands after the washroom before we eat etc. However, we should always try to wash our hands after we use door handles, sneeze, cough and shake hands with others! Germs spread so quickly, and in a large environment like a workplace, it can be even worse! Take your breaks & get fresh air: I can’t stress the importance of fresh air. Taking your breaks, re-grouping and getting out into the fresh air not only clears your mind, but it also helps relieve stress and purify your lungs! Supplement your immune system: I like to help my immune system during the cold & flu season by adding some additional supports! A few of my favourites are as follows: Probiotics: These help support the immune system with healthy bacteria that combat against various bad bacterias and support our immune system! They are essential in our Immunity. Vitamin C: Vitamin C has been known for years to keep our immune system boosted, help combat illness as well shorten the recovery time from colds! Pycnogenol: This powerhouse has remarkable healing properties in the body, as well as a powerful antioxidant! It binds to free radicals in the body, therefore reducing inflammation and oxidative stress! Bone Broth: There are many benefits to consuming bone broth especially when we are not feeling well! It has been shown to increase our immune function, shorten the time of Upper respiratory tract infections and help with immunity in our digestive tract. Sleep: Sleep is so critical when it comes to how we feel! Our bodies need up to 8 hours of sleep a night! When we don’t get enough sleep, it causes our body to decrease its immunity. Long-term sleep deprivation will eventually lead to illness and other diseases. Our body does all its healing while we sleep, so it is vital to maintain our sleep routine and get at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

The Key to Hydration and RecoveryA fun night out can sometimes come with an unwelcome companion the next morning: a hangover. The headaches, fatigue, and nausea that follow are usually the result of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. But don’t worry, the solution is simple—replenishing your body with electrolytes can make a big difference in how quickly you recover. What Causes Hangovers? Hangovers are a result of multiple factors, but dehydration and electrolyte loss play a huge role. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it increases the frequency of urination, causing your body to lose water and essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium (thankfully Organika’s electrolytes contain all of these minerals we lose). This dehydration leads to the dreaded symptoms of a hangover: headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and dry mouth. How Do Electrolytes Help? Electrolytes are minerals that your body needs to regulate hydration, nerve function, and muscle contractions. When you drink alcohol, you deplete these essential minerals, making it harder for your body to function and recover. By replenishing lost electrolytes, you can restore your body’s natural balance and help alleviate the severity of a hangover. One of the main issues with drinking plain water after a night out is that while it hydrates, it doesn’t contain the minerals needed to replenish what your body has lost. This is where electrolyte beverages come in—they provide the right balance of fluids and minerals that help your body rehydrate more effectively. What Does the Science Say? Research has shown that electrolyte drinks are more effective than water in restoring hydration levels, especially after intense physical activity or in hot environments where sweating causes significant fluid loss. The same principles apply to hangovers, as alcohol leads to similar fluid and electrolyte depletion. According to Lindinger (2024), sweating is one of the body’s main mechanisms for thermoregulation, and it leads to a significant loss of electrolytes that need to be replaced continuously to maintain hydration. Effective oral electrolyte supplementation helps replace these lost electrolytes in proportion to fluid loss, preventing imbalances and promoting proper hydration. This makes electrolyte drinks far more effective than water in terms of both rehydration and restoring electrolyte concentrations. Moreover, a study by Ilyas et al. (2018) found that electrolyte beverages improve hydration status and electrolyte levels more effectively than plain water, particularly in hot environments. So, just as you might rely on an electrolyte solution after a workout, your body needs the same kind of help after a night of drinking. Electrolytes for Hangovers: A Simple Fix When alcohol causes you to lose fluids and electrolytes, it disrupts your body’s balance. Electrolytes help with: Hydration: Sodium and potassium help your body retain and absorb the water you drink, making rehydration faster and more efficient. Muscle function: Magnesium and calcium support muscle recovery and can help ease the muscle aches sometimes associated with hangovers. Energy levels: Potassium and sodium balance out blood pressure and maintain nerve function, helping you feel more alert and less fatigued. Check out Organika’s active line where our Electrolytes Energy can Improve workout performance, boost energy and increase stamina. Additionally, Suhayda & Walton (2002) highlight the role of healthcare professionals in managing fluid and electrolyte imbalances, particularly in older adults. Understanding the mechanisms of fluid homeostasis is critical for assessing and managing different types of dehydration, including isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic dehydration. While the research may focus on dehydration from other causes, the principles of fluid and electrolyte balance are the same when it comes to hangovers. How to Use Electrolytes for Hangover Recovery To maximize the benefits of electrolytes, timing is key. Here's a simple guide: Before Bed: After a night of drinking, hydrate with an electrolyte drink before going to sleep. This helps to replenish some of the fluids and electrolytes lost and prepares your body for recovery overnight. In the Morning: Start your day with another electrolyte drink to jumpstart rehydration and help reduce the severity of your symptoms. Throughout the Day: Continue sipping electrolyte-rich beverages to keep your body hydrated and balanced as it recovers. Choosing the Right Electrolyte Drink It’s important to choose an electrolyte solution that doesn’t add extra stress to your body. Some drinks are loaded with added sugars, artificial colors, and preservatives, which can make hangovers worse. Instead, go for clean, natural electrolyte drinks that focus on providing the essential minerals—sodium, potassium, and magnesium—without the unnecessary additives. Try Organika’s on-the-go sachets that are convenient for an active lifestyle. At Organika, we offer natural, effective electrolyte powders that replenish your body with the key minerals it needs to bounce back from dehydration. Our clean ingredients help ensure you get the best rehydration without the junk. Conclusion: Electrolytes for Fast Recovery While hangovers may not have a one-size-fits-all cure, electrolytes play a crucial role in speeding up recovery by helping you rehydrate and restore balance. By replenishing your electrolyte levels, you can feel better faster and get back to your day feeling refreshed. So, next time you wake up after a night out, skip the plain water and reach for an electrolyte drink—it just might be your hangover hero. Revive Your Body with Organika’s natural electrolyte products. Hydrate, restore, and recover with the minerals your body needs to feel better. References Lindinger, M. I. (2024). Oral electrolyte supplementation: Hydration and fluid balance during heat exposure. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(1), 23-30. Ilyas, Z., Chaudhary, R., Devi, S., & Bhandari, V. (2018). Oral electrolyte solutions for dehydration: Are they really more effective than water? Journal of Clinical Investigation, 112(3), 567-574. Suhayda, R., & Walton, J. (2002). The role of nurses in managing fluid and electrolyte imbalances in older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 23(4), 223-231.

We tend to associate spring with cleaning; as if the winter created stagnation and some sort of mess. For many people, the need to clean up the outside also means they want to "clean up" the inside. But is a juice cleanse or boxed detox really what your body needs? I find that with my years of experience in health and wellness, so many individuals associate spring with a need for a cleanse. There are trends on social media, and in your health food stores pushing detoxes. It can be products, supplements, or the latest eating trends. There are so many options on the market to assist with spring cleaning, it might be difficult to know where to begin or what works best for you. Spring cleaning can mean so much more than a two-week cleanse. It can also be mental/emotional, as well as physical. There are a lot of ways that you can ‘spring clean’ in a gentler fashion that will allow you to take these new habits and incorporate them into your daily life. Here are four ways to gently regenerate and cleanse your physical body: 1. Sweat! Our skin is our largest organ, and sweating is one of the best ways our body eliminates waste products. Sweating is a great way to eliminate environmental toxins, heavy metals, and BPAs! Scientists are able to measure these compounds from human sweat, showing that this is by far one of the more superior ways to rid unwanted toxins from our body. So, find yourself a sauna and/or work up a sweat. Get your system moving and get cleaning; all the while enjoying the added benefits of exercise and relaxing saunas! 2. Try herbal teas. Adding a gentle tea to your daily routine, such as nettle or dandelion tea, can be a great way to get a gentle cleanse. Our liver is one of the most important organs for detoxing and eliminating waste! It is constantly active and working nonstop to keep harmful chemicals from entering your blood stream. The liver can benefit from supporting herbs such as dandelion, nettle, and milk thistle as they work to improve the liver’s ability to breakdown toxins by getting your liver in top shape! These herbs are easily accessible, and you can readily find a variety of herbal tea formulas in your local health food store. 3. Buy yourself a dry body brush. These are affordable and do wonders for your skin! They help to stimulate your lymphatic system, which is a major body network that is responsible for ridding your body of unwanted toxins and waste. Dry brushing is something you can do daily. Start from the bottom of your feet and work your way up to your chest. Apply light pressure, and always use a circular motion upwards. Finding videos on how to properly dry brush is easily accessible on YouTube. 4. Eat more fiber and hydrate! Fiber from fruits and vegetables will get one of your VERY important detox systems moving well. You guessed it: your bowels. If you do not have a daily bowel movement, your cleaning system may be a little sluggish. Along with eating adequate amounts of fruits and veggies, you can try adding one or two tablespoons of ground flax to your breakfast, lunch or dinner. Remember: it is always important to drink enough water to help flush everything out. You need to be well hydrated in order for your bowels to function properly. Drinking enough good, clean water, along with adequate amounts of healthy fiber, will help aid in removing waste from your body. So before you go reaching for those expensive weight loss teas, juice cleanses, or boxed detoxes, try adding a few of these tricks to your daily routine to see if it helps!