What’s in Greens+ Extra Energy Formula and Why? Featured Guest Post

February 3, 2016

Come and Discover What’s in Extra Energy Formula and Why – with Guest Contributor Dr. Julie Chen ND

This article was kindly provided to us by our friends at Genuine Health, the brand behind the highly respected Greens+ line of products. We invite you to read their full story here.

With the preponderance of sugary, artificial energy drinks on the market and sugar-rollercoaster-caffeine-laden coffees all day long, we are in dire need of natural, clean and sustainable energy.

Although this may sound a bit like a car commercial, we’re talking about the machine that we can’t just trade in…our bodies. In our society of high stress, poor eating, low nutrition and high stimulation, our bodies and brains are in constant need of energy.

Why do we have low energy?

Before we get into how to boost our energy levels, let’s start with the why. Why do we have low energy? We are a complex organism and this is a multi-faceted, complex problem. There are many reasons why people may suffer from low energy, including:

Hormonal imbalance
Thyroid issues
Adrenal deficiency
Nutrient deficiencies
Anemia from low iron or B12, malnutrition, malabsorption
Blood sugar control issues (diabetes, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance)
Physical and mental stress
Diseases and infections (chronic or acute) like liver disease, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, flu, mononucleosis, fibromyalgia etc.
Medication side effects
Drugs or alcohol
Sleep disorders

Many of these issues can be diagnosed through a physical exam and blood test. Others are situational and temporary. But what happens if you don’t have any of these detectable issues and still have low energy?

Going Beyond Band-Aid Solutions

The first thought for most of us with low energy is to reach for the instant pick me up. This usually means something caffeinated, either an unhealthy energy drink, coffee, or even chocolate. But these are just temporary, one-dimensional solutions. Chronic, long term use or even overuse of these temporary fixes can lead to significant health problems. Don’t worry, there are healthier choices that aren’t just ”Band-Aid” solutions!

A History of Real Research and Results

For almost 25 years now, greens+ has been proven to support daily energy and feelings of vitality through scientific research and consumer feedback. But some consumers want more – they want extra energy to negotiate the challenges of an increasingly complex world.

So with Sam Graci’s intelligent formulations, greens+ EXTRA ENERGY was born. It supplements the benefits of greens+ with a well-rounded complex of ingredients that addresses some of the fundamental issues of why we have low energy to begin with.

A Natural Boost

For the immediate feeling of energy, modest amounts of caffeine can be very supportive of a mental and physical boost. Sam chose a natural source of caffeine that also carries with it a host of beneficial phytonutrients – in addition to modest amounts of caffeine, kola nut (Cola acuminata) is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids. This herb has been used extensively in traditional medicine for its benefits on mental energy and has a very safe track record of widespread use. It was an easy choice for Sam vs. synthetic caffeine.

Taurine has also established itself as an obvious choice for physical and mental energy without over-stimulation. It can increase muscular energy and endurance and recent experimental studies show that it can improve psychological resiliency and mental outlook. In fact, sleep deprivation causes an increased demand for taurine – researchers theorize this is due to taurine’s effect on mood and the release of taurine into the bloodstream is the body’s attempt to maintain mental outlook/sharpness in times of stress.

Getting to the Root of the Issue

When your adrenals are depleted due to chronic stress, your energy levels will be the most obvious symptom. Even acute remedies like caffeine are unlikely going to be sufficient to boost adrenal fatigue or deficiency. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and powerful antioxidant. It is important for the formation of many tissues in the body including collagen, cartilage, muscles and bones. It can indirectly support energy systems by helping the body absorb iron, decrease oxidative stress and damage to the body systems and tissues.

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The Power of Vitamin C

There was a clinical study to show that vitamin C was able to mitigate increases in blood pressure and reactivity to stress as well as to help cortisol levels recover faster when exposed to acute psychological stress. Vitamin C is critical for adrenal function and the highest levels are found in the adrenal glands and brain, so 500mg a day goes a long way to ensure that your stores are replenished. The vitamin C and licorice root extract (from greens+) is a great combo for supporting the adrenals as a whole. Licorice root extract is able to slow down the breakdown of the adrenal hormones.

Gotu Kola – A Time Tested Traditional Herb

Gotu kola has been used in traditional herbal medicine for over 2000 years. In Ayurveda medicine, it is viewed as an important rejuvenating herb for nerve and brain cells and increasing intelligence, longevity and memory. Modern studies show that Gotu kola may have neuroprotective and possible anxiolytic effects due to its antioxidant capacity.

Exploring Amino Acids

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that is a precursor for neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, dopamine and norepinephrine, so it is important to help improve mood, mental alertness, decrease stress and to promote brain health. The other vital role for tyrosine as part of the energy solution is that it is also a precursor for thyroid hormones. Low levels of thyroid hormones or hypothyroidism can be a major cause of low energy.

Glycine is another amino acid that has important functions in both the central nervous and digestive system. It helps with the breakdown of fat and required for the synthesis of the key component of hemoglobin (the part of the blood cell used for transporting oxygen). Glycine helps to support energy levels in the body by regulating blood sugar levels, thereby preventing energy drops due to low blood sugar.

Energy Supporting Nutrients

Suma root, also known as Brazilian ginseng, has been used by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon region for many health purposes including as a general tonic, rejuvenating, increasing energy and tonifying cardiovascular and nervous systems. It has also been called “the Russian secret” as it was used by Russian Olympic athletes to increase muscle-building and endurance. Suma root is an adaptogen, helping to increase the body’s resistance to stress and support the immune system.

Rhodiola and Astragalus roots are powerful adaptogens and helps with the negative effects of mental and physical stress. Both are revered in traditional medicine for supporting the immune system and the adrenals during times of stress. The herbs can help with mental focus, fatigue and performance. They can also support long term energy and vitality.

Vitamin B6 is an essential water soluble nutrient that has a multitude of uses. It helps the body make antibodies, support the nerves and when deficient, can cause anemia. It can help with blood sugar metabolism as well to help maintain a stable glucose level in the blood and consistent energy stores in the body. Since this vitamin is used for so many functions in the body, a deficiency can lead to many symptoms including dermatitis, confusion, depression and insomnia.

Chromium is an essential mineral that is important for proper insulin functioning and sugar metabolism. It helps to prevent sugar drops and spikes, thereby regulating your energy stores. It is essential for normalizing storage of fats, proteins and carbohydrates and insufficient intake is linked to glucose intolerance, which is often seen in type 2 diabetes.

A Well-Rounded Solution to Low Energy

greens+ EXTRA ENERGY is the well-rounded, complete solution to the complex problem of low energy. It is also a clean nutritional product – with NO added benzoates that are common in typical energy shots. Sodium benzoate has been linked to problems with mental focus in animals, their offspring and even in healthy people . What is the point of formulating an energy shot purported to increase mental focus and then add chemicals associated with impaired mental focus?

Having a clean, multifaceted and complete product to address many causes of low energy will give you the clarity, vitality and energy so that you can do all the things you have to and still have long lasting energy to do the things you love.

References:

Int J Sports Med. 2001 Oct;22(7):537-43. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2000 Dec;20(6):680-4.

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