10 Ways to Stay Healthy During the Fall and Winter

Chillier weather is fast approaching.  This means flu, colds, staying inside more and just losing motivation to stay active.  I’m going to suggest some tips that will help prevent common illnesses and inspire a healthy and active season.   Most of these tips should be practiced year-round, but is extremely important during cold weather months when we are especially susceptible to getting sick.

1. Exercise. Head to the gym to stay out of the cold and workout at least an hour, 3days a week. Bundle up and take walks or go for a hike. It’s important to get at least 15mins a day in of exercise.
   1. Find someone to work out with during the winter season. Having a partner is great for accountability and even for a little friendly competition.
   2. Try a new workout or find a class to join. Something new and different tends to create excitement and hold your interest longer.
   3. Warm up inside before a workout to get blood flowing to the muscles. Cold and stiff muscles are more prone to injury. Consider jumping jacks, a jog on the treadmill or cycling.
   4. Try Yoga or Pilates. Yoga is a great way to keep muscles limber and take a stress break. Pilates builds strong core muscles and can improve posture.
2. Clothing. Wear the right clothes when exercising when it is cold out. Polypropylene provides great insulation but minimizes moisture loss. Gore-Tex is a fabric used widely for providing protection from the rain and wind.
3. Healthy diet. Eat more Fruits and vegetables, with minimal amounts of organic meats. You need to keep your body in good shape with clean healthy foods.
   1. Carrots: A diet rich in beta-carotene (which is also found in bell peppers, kale, broccoli, sweet potatoes and squash) protects the lining of the nose, which traps germs before they can infect you.
   2. Green Tea: Stay warm and drink tea. Tea has interferon called L-theanine which fights viruses in the blood. Green or black tea is fine to drink.
   3. Nonfat Greek Yogurt: This has high amounts of probiotics and protein. Protein helps increase the number of immune cells in your body. Probiotics are healthy bacteria in the gut that keeps you free of disease causing germs. Eating yogurt or taking a probiotic supplement daily is recommended.
   4. Salmon: Fish is a great source of heart-strengthening omega-3 fatty acids. One serving also contains up to 1,000 IU of vitamin D; which helps stave off colds.
   5. Garlic: A compound called allicin fights against bacterial, viral and fungal infections; which in turn fight off colds, the flu and other illnesses.
4. Meditate. Meditation will help lower stress levels to keep your immune system strong. All you need is a few minutes and a quiet corner.
5. Sleep. Make sure you are getting enough sleep; at least 6-8 hours per night. If you’re running on fumes during the day your body’s immune system will begin to shut down, making you vulnerable to getting sick.
6. Humidifier.  A humidifier will combat dry air and reduces your susceptibility to infections.
7. Pop Astragalus. This immune booster supplement comes from a Chinese root. Take for at least 3 months out of the year for best results.  Suggest does is two 500mg capsules of dried astragalus root, three times a day.
8. Don’t worry, be happy.Stress can impair your immune system while a positive attitude can boost your immune system.
9. Get outside whenever there is sunlight. Vitamin D has been proven to boost serotonin levels putting you in a good mood.
10. Already getting sick. If you feel like you are starting to get sick, there are ways to fight it off or at least lessen the length of time you are under the weather.
    1. Eliminate all dairy products.
    2. Eliminate all alcohol, this impedes your immune system.
    3. Eliminate all grains.
    4. Increase your intake of Zinc.
    5. Increase water consumption (even more than normal!).
    6. Eat less food as this will give your body a much needed rest from digestion and give it a chance to concentrate on fighting off potential invaders.
    7. Take herbs like Echinacea, Goldenseal and Grapefruit Seed Extract
    8. Get more rest than normal. Increase the recommended supplementation above

Hope these tips will help you and your families stay healthy during the colder months.

5 Natural Pain Killers

Everyone has experienced acute or chronic pain in their life. Pain is a reminder that your body is healing or there is something terribly wrong. In order to live a functional lifestyle you need be able to manage the pain.

Medicines that are normally used to relieve pain come with risks of side effects, drug interactions and possibility of becoming habit forming. There is a safer alternative in the form of herbs and spices that treats pain, inflammation and other conditions. The info-graphic below gives a list of 5 natural painkillers you can take.

Benefits of Coconut oil

                               

Coconut oil is one of the best super foods available today. The positive effects are numerous from skin care, helping aid in weight loss and mental health. To get the best benefits you need to buy organic, virgin cold pressed coconut oil. Here is a list of the top 7 reasons to start adding coconut oil into your life.

1. Use coconut oil to fight infection. Either have a spoonful of the oil or rub some on the infected area. Since it is made up of lauric acid, which dissolves the cellular walls of viruses, bacteria, protozoa and fungi, it kills the harmful pathogens. Consuming the oil daily will also aid in preventing infections from forming in the future.
2. Great for Dental care. Oil pulling with coconut oil aids in keeping your mouth healthy. Oil pulling is swishing oil in your mouth for 15 minutes. and then spitting it out. The oil soaks up bacteria, viruses, and other organisms hiding in-between your teeth. By creating a daily routine this will whiten teeth, detox your mouth, alleviate halitosis, reduce gingivitis, help prevent cavities, and relieve gum and tooth sensitivity.
3. Aids in weight loss. Coconut oil increases energy expenditure by 5% in a 24 hour period, leading long term weight loss. Also helps regulate your appetite and improve digestion. You can switch to using coconut oil for all your cooking and baking needs. This way you are using it on a regular basis and making your meals healthier.
4. Coconut oil is great for skin care and anti-aging. You can benefit by just applying it directly to your skin. It provides protection from harmful UV radiation, heals damaged skin, reduces signs of aging, fades stretch marks, and helps reduce cellulite by strengthening the epidermis. It has this effect because it is full of the antioxidant vitamin E, and is a natural moisturizer.
5. Makes your hair healthier. Since coconut oil is a natural moisturizer, it works great as a deep conditioner, smoothes flyaways, helps get rid of dandruff, adds strength, and shine. Also, it will protect your hair from sun damage and dehydration.
6. Keeps your brain healthy and sharp. Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized easier in your body. It will help with memory loss, depression and neurological disorders.
7. Coconut oil is a natural mood enhancer. By balancing hormones it helps reduce stress and anxiety which leads you to stay motivated and more energetic throughout the day.

Keep updated on healthy ideas to help you stay on track to a healthier you, with the Enada blog.

Enada NADH Tip: Olive Oil for Around the House

Lets talk about one of our favorite all natural oils: Olive Oil. We all know that olive oil is great to cook with but did you know that it has many other around the house and beauty uses! Here 4 other great ways to use olive oil!

Photo Credit

Removing Stickers
Paper stickers can be a real pain, and they can leave a sticky residue on a variety of surfaces, especially glass. Dab a bit of olive oil onto the residue and give it a rub with a soft cloth. No more residue.

Un-sticking a Zipper
If you've ever tried to un-stick a zipper, you know how tough it can be. Olive oil can be applied to a cotton ball and dabbed on a zipper to help loosen the mechanism. It doesn't take much to work, but it is effective. Just be careful not to get the oil on your clothes.

Hair Conditioner
Is your hair as dry and brittle as sagebrush in the desert? Put the moisture back into it by heating 1/2 cup olive oil (don’t boil it), and then liberally applying it to your hair. Cover your hair with a plastic grocery bag, then wrap it in a towel. Let it set for 45 minutes, then shampoo and thoroughly rinse.
Hand Moisturizer

A big bottle of olive oil is a lot cheaper than designer hand lotion, but it turns out it can be equally as effective. The best time to use olive oil as a hand moisturizer is at night since it will stay on your skin for a while before it fully dries. Wear soft gloves to bed for amazingly smooth hands in the morning.

Like this article? Subscribe and join our email list HERE, for monthly news letters and other health tips!

Looking for natural supplements and other alternatives to help you keep a healthy balance in your life? Check out our supplements and their benefits here!

Enada NADH: Natural Allergy Cures

Spring time is the best! It is when everything wakes up and starts blooming after the long dead winter. It is simply beautiful, but anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies knows that springtime can be both a blessing and a curse. The rising pollen counts herald unpleasant reactions such as congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing and headaches. Many seek limited relief from over the counter allergy preparations that have unwanted and unnecessary side effects, more natural remedies may alleviate symptoms without the unpleasant side effects.

While allergies can range from mild to severe, there are some supplements that can offer sufferers relief.

Butterbur

The herb appears to work as an inflammation inhibitor, which blocks some chemicals that trigger swelling in the nasal passages.

Some research shows that an extract of butterbur root (Ze 339) are just as effective at relieving nasal symptoms as antihistamines like Zyrtec and Allegra. Butterbur has the advantage of not causing sleepiness, a common side effect of antihistamines.

You should not eat raw, unprocessed butterbur root. Look for brands of specialized butterbur supplements that are labeled UPA-free; a certain percentage or milligrams of the helpful compound petasin may also be mentioned. Keep in mind that experts aren’t sure about the safety of using any butterbur supplements in the long term.

Phleum pratense

A few studies have found that a sublingual tablet made from pollen extracts from Phleum Phleum pratense can reduce some pollen allergy symptoms, such as eye irritation, in people with asthma, as well as help decrease symptoms in people suffering from hay fever. It also allowed people to reduce the dose of their allergy medicine.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, helping to reduce nasal secretions and inflammation. 

Luckily, this vitamin and the flavonoids occur together in many foods, such as berries, plums, citrus fruits, peppers and brcocoli. Another option is to take extra vitamin C supplements during allergy flair-ups.

Echinacea and Goldenseal
An Echinacea and Goldenseal combination may help keep allergies in check. Echinacea is anti-viral; Goldenseal is anti-bacterial and soothes the mucous membranes.

Both herbs help to support immune response, which often becomes compromised due long-standing allergies. An Echinacea and Goldenseal combination may also be effective for treating, as well as preventing sinusitis.

Like this article? Subscribe and join our email list HERE, for monthly news letters and other health tips!

Looking for natural supplements and other alternatives to help you keep a healthy balance in your life? Check out our supplements and their benefits here!