5 Breathing Exercises To Induce Sleep

Getting enough good-quality sleep is vital for the body to function as it should. During sleep, processes in the body continue to run, repairing muscles, organs, and other cells. Chemicals that help strengthen the immune system are also released into the blood. The brain gets rid of toxic waste that may have accumulated throughout the day and even stores new information. For many people, though, this all-important sleep can be elusive.

From sleep disorders that cause a person to be unable to get a good sleep, to life events that keep people up throughout the night, there are many reasons a person may find it difficult to fall asleep. Some options to help a person sleep include medications, getting on a proper schedule for one’s body, and breathing exercises. But can breathing exercises help sleep, really? And if so, how do you breathe to help you sleep? Read on to find out.

Can breathing exercises help you fall asleep?

Breathing exercises have shown to be highly effective against insomnia. This could be attributed to the fact that they act as aids in reducing the stress and anxiety that may keep people up throughout the night. Insomnia, or the inability to get adequate sleep, is caused mainly by stress. When people are stressed, their ability to relax becomes hindered because of the release of certain hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones elicit a response in the body that makes it believe it needs to be ready for action.

When the body feels as though it needs to be in fight or flight mode, it cannot get to a point of relaxation that will lull a person into sleep. Research has found that by changing breath rhythms, however, you can signal your body that it’s time to relax. This causes your heart rate to slow down. It also stimulates the vagus nerve, which travels through the body from the abdomen up to the brain stem and is responsible for the body’s rest and digest behaviours. This leads you into to a calmer state, and thus encourages sleep.

Vital RX - breathing exercises to induce sleep
Image by bruce mars on Unsplash: Can deep breathing help you fall asleep?

What exercises can I do to fall asleep faster?

Deep breath for sleep isn’t just a matter of taking a few breaths and waiting for yourself to slip on into dreamland. The exercises that are required to help encourage sleep are unique and deliberate in nature. The following five breathing exercises have been proven to induce sleep.

1. The 4-7-8

This breathing technique was developed by Dr. Andrew Weil, a celebrity doctor who bases his practice on alternative medicine. To perform this exercise, you will haveto sit up with your back straight and place the tip of your tongue behind the upper row of front teeth. While keeping your tongue in place throughout the entire breathing exercise, exhale through your mouth while counting to eight. It’s important to make a sound while exhaling, such as a whoosh noise. Once you have exhaled, you will have to close your mouth and take a deep inhale through your nose while counting to four.

It’s important to inhale for the full count of four. You will then hold your breath there for a count of seven. Once you have gone through these steps, you will repeat the cycle four more times. During the repetition, it’s important to keep the counts at the 4-7-8 mark for each breath for it to be truly effective.

2. Bhramari pranayama breathing

Studies have found that this breathing technique is proven to slow heart rate, which can help aid in relaxation and prepare the body for sleep. To perform this exercise, you will start by closing your eyes and breathing deeply in and out. Then, you will position your index fingers above your eyebrows. Using the rest of your fingers, you will cover both eyes.

While breathing, you will apply a gentle level of pressure to the sides of your nose while focusing on your brow area. With your mouth closed, breathe deeply and slowly through the nose and hum, or make the “Om” sound. Once you have completed one round, repeat the cycle five times.

3. Three-part breathing

Perhaps the simplest breathing technique to induce sleep is the three-part breathing exercise. All you have to do is take a long and deep inhale, then exhale all the air. While you’re exhaling, focus on your body and how it feels. Repeat the cycle three times, and then slow down your exhale and repeat.

4. Diaphragmatic breathing

This technique aims to slow down your breathing to help decrease the amount of oxygen your body needs. To perform this exercise, you will want to start out by lying on your back with your knees bent over a pillow. Put one hand flat on your stomach with the other on your chest and begin taking slow and deep breaths through your nose. Keeping your hands in place, you should be able to feel the breaths rise and fall.

Following a few breaths, begin to breathe slowly with your lips pursed. Continue to do this until you are breathing both in and out without your chest moving. This type of breathing exercise also aims to strengthen the diaphragm.

Vital RX - sleep
Image by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash: How do you breathe to help you sleep?

5. Alternate nasal breathing

Studies have shown that practicing alternate nasal breathing can help to reduce stress immediately following the exercise. To perform this breathing technique, you will start by sitting cross-legged with your left hand on your knee and right thumb against your nose. Then, you will fully exhale and close your right nostril using your thumb. Once the nostril is closed and you have finished exhaling, you will inhale through your open left nostril. To exhale, you will close the left nostril and open the right one. Repeat this cycle for a total of five minutes, finishing with an exhale out of your left nostril.

Not being able to get to sleep can induce stress all on its own, but utilizing one of the above breathing exercises can help you limit stress, control your breathing, and enjoy quality sleep once again.

Featured image by Ben Blennerhassett on Unsplash

Why Your Muscles Get Sore After A Workout

It’s no secret that working out is good for the body. Exercise has many health benefits, including improving heart health, lowering the risk of developing diseases, and reducing the symptoms of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Following a workout, many people feel energized and invigorated. There are times, however, when working out can lead to soreness and stiffness in the muscles.

Those who have started a new workout routine or those who continue to build on their routine to challenge themselves will likely experience some muscle soreness the day after a workout. But is muscle soreness normal? And why does it happen at all?

Here’s why your muscles get sore after a workout – and what you can do about it.

Why are my muscles sore after working out?

Muscle soreness after a workout is referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS for short. The reason muscles begin to feel sore after a change in movement, routine, or intensity of your workout comes down to simple muscle damage. While you put stress on your muscles in a workout, muscle fibers begin to experience microscopic damage and break down. This is what causes pain.

The good news is that because of this, the muscle fibers then have to repair themselves – making them stronger and larger after recovery than they were before. This process is what leads to the workout gains most people are aiming for.

VitalRX - working out
Image by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash: What does it mean when my muscles are sore after working out?

Is it normal to be sore after a workout?

Depending on the type of pain, muscle soreness is usually a normal part of pushing yourself in your workouts. As mentioned above, it’s also a good sign that the work you’re putting into your body is leading to the desired results. However, there are some differences in the pain that can indicate when you may be experiencing something other than the normal soreness associated with an effective workout.

If you are pushing your body too far during your workouts, the severity of the soreness may be so great that walking up stairs or lifting your arms above your head become difficult tasks. This can indicate that you are attempting to go further than your body can handle too rapidly. Giving your muscles the chance to get used to workouts slowly over time will still result in some soreness, but it significantly decreases your risk of injury.

Is it muscle soreness or an injury?

There are a few stark differences between normal muscle soreness following a workout and actual injury. These should be paid attention to, because if an injury isn’t addressed, it can lead to further complications and eventually make it hard to work out altogether. In typical muscle soreness, the body is likely to feel achy, stiff, or tight, with the soreness affecting an entire muscle group. It should also dissipate in the days following your workout routine, and/or when those muscles are worked out again.

When there is an injury to blame for your muscle soreness, that pain will likely be different. It will feel sharp, stabbing, or deep, and will often be localized to one spot. If there is any swelling in the area, that is also a sign that it isn’t typical muscle soreness and that an injury may have occurred. If you go back to work out the same muscle again and the pain becomes more severe, that’s a good indicator of an injury as well.

How to avoid sore muscles after workouts

Although it’s not possible to completely avoid muscle soreness when starting up a new workout routine or changing around the types of exercises you do, there are ways you can help to lessen the soreness. Research has shown that warming up before exercising can greatly decrease DOMS following a workout. Warming up increases blood flow to the area and gets muscles ready for the movements you’re about to perform. Cooling down and stretching following a workout is also vital because it circulates all the blood away from the area to help with recovery.

Staying hydrated is also an important part of avoiding overly sore muscles after a workout. If you are dehydrated, you may experience worsened muscle soreness and fatigue. You will also want to keep up with your workouts. It might seem counterintuitive, but immobilizing a muscle group after working it out can actually prolong or increase muscle soreness. Finally, you’ll want to ensure that you have the proper form when doing your exercises. The wrong form can lead to injury.

VitalRX - exercising
Image by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash: Are sore muscles a good sign? Usually, yes – but be sure you can tell the difference between regular soreness and injury.

How to relieve sore muscles after workouts

There are some good ways to help to relieve muscle soreness after working out that can help drive your progress and keep you in a good routine. Eating foods or taking supplements with amino acids can help to aid in recovery by decreasing muscle damage. Applying heat to the muscles may also help to ease soreness. Research has shown that applying moist heat to the muscles directly after working out helped to reduce the duration and severity of DOMS. 

You may also want to invest in a foam roller. Foam rollers are used as a tool in self-massage and can help to relieve muscle soreness while also improving muscle fatigue and overall flexibility.

The final word: muscle soreness after a workout is normal, and often means that what you’re doing is working. But it’s always important to know your body and its limits when exercising. Pushing yourself can help you achieve your health goals, but going too far can hinder your progress.

Featured image by Alonso Reyes on Unsplash

8 Foods That Can Help Boost Your Metabolism

The metabolism is a very important bodily process. It is tasked with turning the calories a person takes in from food and beverages into energy. It does this by converting sustenance into specific nutrients that are then used in different ways. The calories that are consumed are combined with oxygen and released as energy into the body. That energy is required for every other process – which is what makes the metabolism so vital.

Even when the body is doing nothing at all, it needs energy. Everything from breathing and blood circulation to hormone levels and cell growth and repair all rely heavily on how much energy is within the body. The basic functioning carried out while the body is completely at rest is called the basal metabolic rate.

When a person is active, the level of required energy changes. This is why those who move more often require more calories to function. There are varying degrees of metabolic function, too; those with a higher-level metabolism burn more calories at rest than those with a low metabolism. But can you boost your metabolism yourself? And if so, what foods can you eat to do this?

Can you boost your metabolism naturally?

The rate of your metabolism is genetic, so what you’re born with is generally what you’re stuck with. Of course, there are some caveats, such as age. As people get older, their metabolism tends to slow down. This can be attributed to some factors such as less activity, muscle loss, and certain cellular processes that lose efficiency as you age, thus slowing down your metabolism.

However, there are certain ways the metabolism can be manipulated into switching into a higher gear. Metabolism is greatly affected by exercise levels, so by moving more, you can increase your metabolic rate. Research has shown that exercises such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can be a great metabolism booster. You can also use the food you eat for energy as a way to boost your metabolism.  

VitalRX - avocado
Image by Estudio Bloom on Unsplash: What fruits help boost metabolism? Avocado is a great choice.

Metabolism-boosting foods

Not all calories are created equally; some can help to keep your metabolism burning at a higher rate. If you’re wondering what foods can speed up your metabolism, you have to look at the key nutrients and vitamins in each type of food. These play a vital role in all bodily processes, and can help to determine the difference between a slow or fast metabolic process.

1. Protein-rich foods

Foods that are high in protein are a great addition to the diet if you’re looking to boost your metabolism. Foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts and seeds are all great sources of protein. The reason protein is so important for metabolism is because it uses more of the body’s energy to digest. This is known as the thermic effect of food (TEF). Studies have found that when the body digests protein and uses that additional energy, it can raise the metabolic rate by 15–30%.

2. Iron, zinc, and selenium-rich foods

These essential minerals play vital roles in many processes, but they are particularly great aids in speeding up the metabolism. This is because they all contribute to the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Since the thyroid gland regulates metabolism, foods such as meat, seafood, legumes, and nuts and seeds can all aid in boosting metabolic function.

3. Capsaicin-rich foods

Capsaicin is a chemical compound found in chili peppers. Research has found that the compound can lead to an increased metabolism by increasing the amount of calories the body burns per day.

4. Caffeine

Caffeine can be found in many beverages, such as tea and coffee, as well as chocolate. Research has shown that consuming 270 mg or more of caffeine per day can lead to an extra 100 calories burned. When it comes to tea, the best kinds to choose from for metabolism-boosting effects are oolong and green tea. Research has shown that both of those teas can lead to a 4–10% increase in metabolism.

5. Spices

Ginger is a spice that is well-known for its effects in soothing nausea, but it can also help to boost metabolism. Other spices that have been shown to help boost metabolism include grains of paradise and cayenne pepper.

VitalRX - oysters
Image by Charles Koh on Unsplash: What vitamins help metabolism? Zinc is one, so be sure to include zinc-rich foods like seafood in your diet.

6. Coconut oil

Coconut oil has been used widely in recent years because of the many health claims surrounding it. It can be used topically (i.e. on the skin) or with food. When consumed, it can help to speed up the metabolism because of its high level of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). Research has shown that MCTs increase metabolic rate.

7. Water

Water may not seem like a metabolism-boosting food, but research has found that staying hydrated with H20 can actually increase metabolic rates by 24–30%. This is likely due to the fact that the body needs to use energy to heat the water to body temperature. However, the effects of water on the metabolism are typically temporary.  

8. Avocado

Avocado is considered a “superfruit” because of its many health benefits. It can also help to boost metabolism because of its high content of healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. These healthy fats are burned at a higher rate than other types of fats, thus speeding up the metabolism.

Boosting the metabolism isn’t always easy, especially considering the complex nature of the process. However, consuming certain foods can be a helpful aid in increasing the rate at which the body burns calories, particularly when combined with other lifestyle factors such as exercising.

Featured image by Mark DeYoung on Unsplash

Which Vitamins Are Fat Soluble?

The body needs a group of essential nutrients for it to work properly. These include minerals, trace elements, and vitamins. Vitamins, specifically, are needed to help with many different processes and to hinder the development of chronic illnesses. For example, vitamin D is essential for bone health because it aids in the absorption of calcium, another vital nutrient.

There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve quickly in water whereas fat-soluble vitamins need fat to be absorbed into the body. Both groups have different rates of absorption and storage capabilities. So which vitamins are fat soluble?

What is a fat-soluble vitamin?

Fat-soluble vitamins are nutrients that dissolve in fat and are stored in the tissues of the body. They are absorbed into fat globules and taken where they need to go when those fat globules make their way around the body through the small intestines. Since no two vitamins are alike, each fat-soluble vitamin gets stored in different places and for different lengths of time. Some stay in the fatty tissues, others in the liver; they can be stored between a few days up to six months.

Fat-soluble vitamins are kept in the body so that when it needs them, they can be used from its stores. They are best stored and absorbed into the body when they are taken with high-fat foods; however, they are not as easily excreted out of the body as water-soluble vitamins, so they can be absorbed with all meals.

Vital RX - bones
Image by Harlie Raethel on Unsplash: What happens if you don’t have enough fat-soluble vitamins? Your bone health could suffer.

What are the benefits of fat-soluble vitamins?

There are four different kinds of fat-soluble vitamins, all of which have their own benefits. Each and every fat-soluble vitamin plays a vital role in overall health, some even helping with a variety of different processes.

Retinol (Vitamin A)

Retinol, or vitamin A, is primarily used in the body for eye health, immune health, and bone health. Retinol is used to help convert light that enters the eye into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. Studies have found that the first symptom of a retinol deficiency is typically night-blindness.

Retinol also helps the immune system function by maintaining mucous barriers in areas such as the eyes, lungs, gut, and genitals to help ward off or trap bacteria and other pathogens. It also can help to protect bone health. Research has shown that those without adequate levels of retinol in their system have an increased risk of bone fractures.

Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Tocopherol acts a powerful antioxidant which is crucial in overall health. Without adequate antioxidant levels to bind to free radicals, the body can accumulate dangerous levels of free radicals, leading to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can then encourage chronic disease. By decreasing oxidative stress in the body, tocopherol can also enhance the life of your cells.

Ergocalciferol/Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3)

The sunshine vitamin has a variety of different health benefits. It encourages bone health by increasing the absorption of essential nutrients calcium and phosphorous, which are required for healthy bones. It also plays a vital role in immune function and can decrease the risk of developing illnesses such as the flu.

The vitamin is also a powerful mood regulator and studies have shown that it can help to ward off mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Vitamin D deficiency has also been shown to bring about many health problems, so getting enough is of the utmost importance.

Phytonadione (Vitamin K)

Phytonadione plays a vital role in bone health, cognitive health, and heart health. When it comes to cognition, the nutrient has been shown to help boost memory in older adults. In terms of heart health, phytonadione is thought to decrease blood pressure because of its ability to lower mineralization that could build up in the arteries around the heart.

When should you take fat-soluble vitamins?

Since fat-soluble vitamins dissolve within the body using fat, the best time to take them is with a meal, usually in the evening. Saturated fats are the best type of fat to take these types of vitamins with because they increase the absorption rate and help the vitamins get to the fatty tissues and liver so they can be stored for future use.

Can you overdose on fat-soluble vitamins?

The risk of overdose is higher when it comes to fat-soluble vitamins than water-soluble vitamins, but only if you are taking much more than the recommended daily dose. This is because of their high storage abilities in the body. Toxicity levels will depend on the type of vitamin and how much was taken.

When it comes to retinol, for example, the symptoms of an overdose can include nausea, intracranial pressure, coma, and even death. The symptoms of having too much vitamin D in the system include weight loss, appetite loss, and irregular heartbeat. Having too much vitamin D has also been shown to cause organ damage because it raises the level of calcium in the blood.

Tocopherol taken in high doses can lead to stroke and interfere with the blood’s ability to clot. When it comes to phytonadione, the risk of overdose is low; however, it can still cause health problems if it is mixed with certain medications such as antibiotics or blood thinners.  

Vital RX - olive oil
Image by Pixabay on Pexels: Do you need to eat fat to absorb fat-soluble vitamins? It definitely helps. 

Getting the right amount of fat-soluble vitamins is important for the overall health of the body. They are required for a variety of functions, and deficiencies can lead to the onset of a plethora of different chronic diseases. The important thing to remember when taking fat-soluble vitamins is to not go overboard. The body stores these vitamins, so unless you are severely deficient, you may risk taking too much if you go over the daily recommended amount.

Featured image by Candace Mathers on Unsplash

Which Vitamins Are Water Soluble?

Vitamins are essential for each and every bodily process to run as it should. They provide different nutrients, all of which are required to either prevent chronic illness or encourage overall health.

Not all vitamins are made equally, though. They all have different rates of absorption, also known as bioavailability, as well as different rates at which they are excreted from the body. All vitamins fall into one of two main categories when it comes to where they are stored in the body: water soluble and fat soluble. So which vitamins are water soluble?

What does it mean if a vitamin is water soluble?

A water-soluble vitamin is dissolved in water and is essentially easy to be absorbed into the body. This readily available absorption allows the vitamins to be used immediately by the body once they reach the tissues. They are not stored, and thus require daily doses to help keep up with the body’s demand of each specific nutrient.

Since the body only needs a certain amount of each water-soluble vitamin, it typically takes what it needs when it arrives into the body and flushes out the rest so that there is no overaccumulation.

Vital RX - water
Image by Manki Kim on Unsplash: Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water, whereas fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fat within the body. 

Water-soluble vitamins vs fat-soluble vitamins

A fat-soluble vitamin is different than a water-soluble vitamin in that it dissolves in fat to be absorbed into the body. The specific type of fat required for these nutrients to be absorbed is fat globules. When the vitamin enters the fat globule, it is then distributed to where it needs to go when the globule makes its way through the small intestines. These types of vitamins are stored for much longer than water-soluble vitamins and can be typically found in the liver and fatty tissues. This storage leaves them readily available for when the body needs them in the future. The best way to absorb fat-soluble vitamins is if they are taken with high-fat foods.

Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins are not stored as mentioned above, and thus need to be replenished more often. Although all vitamins have different daily recommended amounts, there is no difference in the general need for both fat- and water-soluble vitamins, as all the essential vitamins are required in their own respective amounts.

Are most vitamins water soluble?

The majority of vitamins are water soluble, with only four being fat soluble. Specific vitamins that are water soluble include:

  • Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
  • Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
  • Niacin (Vitamin B3)
  • Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5)
  • Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
  • Biotin (Vitamin B7)
  • Folate (Vitamin B9)
  • Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
  • Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)

These vitamins are essential to overall health, but without storage capabilities, they need to be consumed every day to ensure that a person is getting enough and reaping the health rewards of having full levels of nutrition.

The four fat-soluble vitamins are:

Fat-soluble vitamins pose more of a toxicity risk than water soluble vitamins because they are stored within the body for much longer periods of time and are less readily excreted. Taking more than the body needs could result in an overdose.

When should you take water-soluble vitamins?

The most optimal time to take water-soluble vitamins will depend on their type; however, they are best absorbed on an empty stomach. By taking them in the morning half an hour before eating or two hours after a meal, you’ll get the most out of the vitamin when it comes to nutrient absorption.

Taking the B family of vitamins in the morning can also help to boost energy and mood levels and help with stress management for the upcoming day. Vitamin C can be taken at any point throughout the day, and it is typically safe to take other water-soluble vitamins at the same time.

Vital RX - vitamin supplements
Image by Pina Messina on Unsplash: Water-soluble vitamins are generally safe to be taken together and should be done on an empty stomach for the most benefits.

Can you OD on a water-soluble vitamin?

As mentioned above, water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. This leaves the chance of an overdose of the vitamin very low. This is especially true for vitamin C, which the body will push out of the system prior to a dangerous overdose. If vitamin C is taken in great excess, it can cause upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea, but it is unlikely to cause any other negative health effects. 

The water-soluble vitamins that pose the most risk when it comes to an overdose are certain B vitamins, such as B3 and B6. These have been shown to cause adverse health effects such as jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, and nausea and nerve damage when taken in excess.

Each body is different and requires different amounts of water-soluble vitamins depending on overall health levels, any chronic conditions, or medications that may deplete or hinder the body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins. To find out how much you need, it’s important to speak with your doctor.

The water-soluble list of vitamins is essential to the overall function of many processes within the body – for example, B vitamins are often referred to as the “building blocks” of health, and the daily target needs to be met for things such as cell metabolism, energy levels, and brain function. Being sure you’re getting enough water-soluble vitamins on a daily basis is the best way to keep up with your health and avoid any complications that can arise from being malnourished.

Featured image by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash

Why Lack Of Vitamin D In The Winter Poses A Serious Threat To Your Health

Between diets that lack the appropriate nutrients to the inability to store certain vitamins in the body, getting the recommended daily dose of all the essential nutrients one needs can be a difficult task. Some vitamins, such as vitamin D, are especially important for overall health. Since the vitamin’s primary source is sunshine, the winter months pose an increased risk of deficiency.  

Getting vitamin D the old-fashioned way is hindered for much of the winter season because there are less hours of sunlight, and less sunshine during cold and cloudy winter days. There’s also the common desire to avoid the cold by staying indoors much more than one might in the summer time. But how dangerous is a vitamin D deficiency, particularly in the colder months? Here’s why lack of vitamin D in the winter poses a serious threat to your health.

What is vitamin D and what does it do for the body?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient. It is fat-soluble, which means it is synthesized within the body when the skin absorbs the sun’s rays, and then stored in fatty tissues. The nutrient is also absorbed into the body through food. Since it acts as both a vitamin and a steroid hormone, it is important for a variety of different processes throughout the body. One of the most important processes is calcium and phosphorous absorption, which helps with bone health. 

Vitamin D also plays a vital role in the function of the immune system, as it acts as both an immune system regulator and moderator. It is a nutrient that the immune system relies on to ensure that the response to pathogens is initiated properly to avoid infection and illness.

Other studies have found that vitamin D has exceptional disease-fighting abilities. It can help to decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and multiple sclerosis, and can even prevent the development of the flu. The essential nutrient also plays a role in mood regulation and has been known to reduce symptoms of depression.

Vital RX - vitamin D
Image by Pexels on Pixabay: How to get vitamin D in winter? Get outside, even though it’s cold out.

What does it mean if you’re lacking vitamin D?

If you don’t get enough vitamin D in your system, your body becomes deficient and many of the processes that rely on the nutrient may begin to malfunction. There are many reasons that one may lack vitamin D. The amount needed will vary slightly from person to person, but there are daily recommended amounts based on age that most people should adhere to. For people aged nine and over, anywhere from 600 IU/day up to 4000 IU/day is recommended. The upper level intake is the highest amount of the vitamin that can be taken without adverse health effects.

Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by certain health conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, and celiac disease. These diseases can cause the intestines to have difficulties absorbing the nutrient if it is taken as a supplement. Weight loss surgeries, obesity, and kidney and liver diseases can also play a role in vitamin D deficiency. The body’s ability to make vitamin D also decreases with age, and those who are less mobile and thus spend less time outside all year round can also suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency symptoms

If vitamin D deficiency becomes severe it can cause rickets – a bone problem that affects mostly children and leads to bones that are easily bendable, breakable, and painful. Rickets can develop in adults, where it is referred to as osteomalacia. These conditions occur only in the most serious of vitamin D deficiency cases.

For those who are lacking in this essential nutrient but not yet suffering the most severe consequences, symptoms may appear to be mild in nature and include:

  • Chronic fatigue
  • Bone pain
  • Muscle weakness, cramps, or aches
  • Depression and other mood changes
  • Frequent infections
  • Back pain
  • Wounds that don’t heal properly or are slow to heal
  • Bone loss
  • Hair loss

About one billion people in the world are suspected to be deficient in vitamin D, and it is one of the most commonly found nutritional deficiencies worldwide.

How to get vitamin D in winter

Getting vitamin D in winter can be tricky. Since people spend less time outdoors, the chances of a deficiency in winter are greater, thus more vitamin D may need to be introduced through other means during those cold months. A great way to keep vitamin D levels up naturally in the winter is by getting outside as much as possible. Even if it’s cold out, if the sun is shining, your body can still absorb the rays and synthesize vitamin D.

Another great way to get more vitamin D in the winter months is through diet. The best food options to get as much vitamin D as possible include:

  • Pork
  • Mushrooms
  • Fatty fish such as mackerel, oysters, shrimp, and tuna
  • Cheese
  • Egg yolks
  • Vitamin D-enriched foods such as orange juice, cereal, soy milk, and yogurt
Vital RX - mushrooms
Image by Cocoparisienne on Pixabay: Mushrooms are an excellent dietary option to get more vitamin D in the winter.

You may also want to increase your intake along with your enriched diet with vitamin D supplementation. If you believe your vitamin D levels are severely low, getting a blood test with your primary care physician can let you know just how much you need to restore yourself to adequate levels. They may opt for a prescription supplement of vitamin D or recommend a good over-the-counter supplement.

Getting enough vitamin D in the winter may be difficult, but it’s not impossible. In the winter months, it is especially important to have enough of the nutrient because it can help ward off infection and chronic disease. As the winter season is typically flu and cold season, you’ll want to avoid getting sick as best you can with adequate levels of vitamin D.

Featured image by Free-Photos on Pixabay

Why Soil Depletion Has Made Dietary Supplementation A Necessity

A nutritious diet is a key component in overall health. What you put into your body plays a vital role in how it functions. Everything from physical elements such as cardiovascular and respiratory health to how well you sleep and your psychological state can be greatly affected (both positively and negatively) through diet.

Many people fail to get enough of the essential vitamins and nutrients they need through diet alone for many reasons. Today’s fast-paced lifestyle can make it near impossible to avoid unhealthy eating habits. Furthermore, the cost of some healthier options versus their less nutritious counterparts can make eating well that much more difficult.

How food is produced can also affect nutrition values in even the healthiest of foods. The soil that food grows in is just one step of the entire production process, but it has made a huge difference in the nutritional value of food today because of soil depletion. So, what is soil depletion, exactly? And what does it have to do with supplements?

Here’s why soil depletion has made dietary supplementation a necessity.

What is soil depletion?

Soil depletion is the process of the soil losing its nutrient content. When foods such as vegetables are planted in the ground, they take from what’s around them to build up nutrients within themselves as they mature. The nutrients that are in soil make a huge difference in how much the specific vegetable gets throughout its growth process.

Soil gets its nutrients from many different sources including decomposed animals and animal waste, bacteria conversions, weathering of rocks, and the atmosphere. The main nutrients found in soil are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Magnesium, sulfur, and calcium can also be found in soil.

Vital RX - soil
Image by Eddie Kopp on Unsplash: Many studies have shown that soil depletion is a big problem when it comes to nutrient density of crops.

Why does soil become depleted of nutrients?

There are many reasons why soil gets depleted. When it comes to crops, this can happen because the plants need to take nutrients from the soil to grow and mature. It’s a natural process designed to encourage proper growth, but if those nutrients are not replaced back into the soil, that depletion continues, and the next crop grown in the same soil will suffer from a lack of proper nutrients.

Depletion of the soil can also occur because of soil erosion. This happens when the upper layer of soil is displaced. It is a natural process driven by the activity of erosive agents such as water, ice, snow, air, plants, animals, and humans.

Nutrient depletion in food

Research has shown that each generation of new crops grown in soil that was depleted from the last is less nutrient-dense. One specific study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that there were steady declines in nutritional values of vegetables grown in the same soil. The nutrients in question were protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B2, and vitamin C.

The study monitored crops from 1950 until 1999 to see just how steady of a decline it was, and the results suggested that the nutrient depletion was caused by a push for improving the size, growth rate, and pest resistance of the crops. There was no focus on the soil or the nutritional content of the crops. When this happens in wider agricultural practices, food becomes less healthy over time.

The aforementioned study isn’t the only one to find that there is a steady decline in the nutritional value of crops. Many others have found that to get the same amount of nutrients from the same vegetables as they would have in the past, one would have to eat a lot more. In fact, an article in Scientific American cited one study that found that the vitamin A content of one orange when your grandparents were young was equal to how much vitamin A can be found in eight oranges today.

Why do we need dietary supplements?

Although many doctors suggest that food should be the first choice for nutrients, when your diet isn’t giving you everything, you need to turn to other means. The only other surefire way to get all the essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements one needs today is through supplementation.

Basically, eating eight oranges just to get a good amount of vitamin A is just not a feasible option for most people. And since oranges aren’t the only food suffering from a lack of nutrient density, it’s safe to assume that many servings of fruits and vegetables are not providing the nutrients they’re supposed to.

Vital RX - supplements
Image by Christina Victoria Craft on Unsplash: Supplementation is key to getting all the nutrients a person needs on a daily basis.

This isn’t to suggest that you should not continue to eat healthily, because wholefoods are still full of nutrients. Rather, managing levels of your vitamins and minerals will be a great place to start when it comes to knowing what nutrients you’re just not getting enough of. Once you figure that out, you can start supplementation.

Gaining everything we need through diet as density of nutrients continues to decline will become an even bigger uphill battle if the soil depletion problem isn’t addressed properly. The good news is that many supplements, such as Vital RX’s, are created with high-quality ingredients designed to offer the best bioavailability and nutrients to give your body everything it needs.

Featured image by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

What’s The Story Behind Vitamin D And COVID-19?

The COVID-19 pandemic has been circulating the globe for over a year now. The death toll has reached over 2 million, and over 50 million have contracted the virus. With cases continuing to rise, the general public has been looking for ways to help prevent the spread and transmission of COVID.

A dangerous amount of false information has been circulating about the prevention of COVID-19 and the ways we can keep ourselves safe. Some outlandish claims that have been made with no basis in fact have included the use of colloidal silver, plant-based elixirs, and ultraviolet lamps. This misinformation has led to people believing that they could avoid getting the virus if they bought certain products.

One new health claim making the rounds is the connection between vitamin D and COVID-19. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and steroid hormone that can be absorbed into the body through sunlight and some foods. It is needed for bone health, the metabolization of both phosphorous and calcium, and mood regulation. But can it help prevent COVID-19?

Is vitamin D important for the immune system?

There are many health benefits of vitamin D because it plays a role in so many different bodily processes. One such system that relies heavily on having enough vitamin D is the immune system. Research has shown that the nutrient is essential when it comes to fighting off infection and boosting the function of the immune system. This is because it can act as an immune system regulator and initiator.

Studies have also found a direct connection between Vitamin D and the function of immune cells. The findings state that since immune cells have an expressed vitamin D receptor, it is required for them to be able to signal properly. It also plays a vital role in the modulation of both the innate and acquired immune systems.

Vital RX - masks
Image by Ismael Paramo on Unsplash: Safety measures such as wearing a mask are important to prevent COVID-19, but vitamin D can help when it comes to the severity of the infection.

Does vitamin D protect against COVID-19?

Information regarding vitamin D and COVID-19 is promising, but there is no evidence or information demonstrating that the nutrient can protect against COVID-19. There is currently no cure for the virus and the immune system is the main defender when it comes to recovering from a COVID-19 infection. The only true way to protect oneself against contracting the virus is by following the appropriate safety measures.

These measures will be different depending on your local government and health official regulations, but the mainstays include wearing a mask in areas where you will be in close contact with people; social distancing by way of keeping at least six feet between yourself and another person; and avoiding contact with those who have an active case or symptoms of the infection. You should also be practicing good handwashing and sanitization techniques and avoiding touching your face.

What’s the connection between vitamin D and COVID-19?

Since the immune system relies heavily on vitamin D to ensure that it is functioning properly – and since it’s the only line of defense against the COVID-19 virus – it’s clear that there is a connection between Vitamin D and coronavirus. Without adequate levels of vitamin D, the immune system will not function at its best, and if it doesn’t work properly, the body may have a more difficult time fighting off the virus.

Research has found that having at least 30 ng/mL of vitamin D in the blood led to those hospitalized to have less adverse outcomes and a better fighting chance against the infection. The particular study looked at 235 patients with COVID-19 and found that patients over the age of 40 were more likely to experience milder symptoms if they had adequate levels of the nutrient compared to those who were low or deficient. With a lessened chance of hypoxia and death, vitamin D is looking promising as a way to keep the body healthy in the wake of COVID-19.

Does vitamin D deficiency increase the severity of COVID-19?

Being deficient in vitamin D can lead to several chronic health conditions including diabetes, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. A vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to the increased risk of developing certain viral diseases as well as the increased susceptibility of getting frequent infections.

Other possible health conditions that can arise due to a vitamin D deficiency include:

  • Depression
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Osteoporosis
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Development of some cancers including prostate, colon, and breast cancer
Vital RX - supplement
Image by Michele Blackwell on Unsplash: Vitamin D deficiency is dangerous for your health, so if you can’t get enough through diet and sunshine alone, supplementation is necessary.

The connection between COVID and vitamin D deficiency has been clear in recent studies, which show that not having enough of the nutrient can lead to a heightened risk of developing a more severe case of the virus. One particular study looked at 216 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized because of the condition and found that out of the 216, over 80% were deficient in the sunshine vitamin.

In the people with lower levels of vitamin D, high inflammatory markers were also found, and longer hospital stays were also discovered to be a connection between low vitamin D levels and COVID-19 patients.

There is no cure for COVID-19. There are anti-viral medications that can control it, but for the most part when it comes to viruses, the immune system has to fight the battle on its own. Vitamin D is not a cure, nor is it a treatment option for those with severe cases of COVID-19; however, recent promising research shows it could be a helpful assistant in both recovery and in the outcome of the infection.

Featured image by Ainsley Myles on Unsplash

Which 7 Vitamins Are Most People Lacking?

For many Americans, getting the proper nutrition can be difficult. Between heavily processed diets and limited time due to demanding lifestyles, the ability to get everything your body needs on a daily basis can be an uphill battle. This is why people often suffer from nutrient deficiencies.

Nutrient deficiencies can lead to a variety of chronic health issues that could be addressed by simply upping the intake of vitamins and minerals that the body needs for its many processes. The good news is that it’s not hard to fix a nutritional deficiency as long as you know what signs to look out for. So which vitamins are most people lacking? Read on to find out.

How do I know which vitamins I’m lacking?

The body is a smart system. It works symbiotically, meaning that all its processes rely on each other to run smoothly. The digestive system, for example, needs to function optimally in order for the body to process nutrients appropriately. Without the digestive tract’s ability to absorb nutrients, the other systems within the body will not get the vitamins and minerals they need to do their jobs.

There are many signs your body might give you if you are lacking in nutrients. For example, brittle hair and nails could be a sign that the body is lacking biotin. Other hints that the body will give you when it’s starved for nutrients include:

  • Mouth ulcers or cracks in the corners of the mouth
  • Bleeding gums
  • White growths on eyes and difficulties seeing at night
  • Scaly patches of skin or dandruff
  • Hair loss
  • Red or white bumps on the skin
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Fatigue or low on energy
  • Frequent infections 

These are just some general signs; specific vitamin deficiencies will present with different symptoms.

Vital RX - citrus vitamin C
Image by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash: Vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy in serious cases, but prevention can be as easy as getting enough citrus fruits in the diet.

Vitamin deficiency diseases

A wide variety of diseases are linked to nutrient deficiency, most of which can be typically addressed with adequate intake. For example, anemia can occur in those who do not get enough vitamin B12; however, if adequate levels are restored, the disease itself will be treated effectively.

Some other common vitamin deficiency diseases and their causes include:

These are just a few of the health conditions that can arise from a lack of nutrients in the diet. However, they are also diseases that can be addressed by returning adequate levels of the vitamin itself into the body over long-term treatment.

What is the most common nutritional deficiency in the United States?

According to a report released by the CDC, there are quite a few nutritional deficiencies among the population of the United States. The most common was found to be vitamin B6. This water-soluble vitamin is also known as pyridoxine and plays a significant role in the metabolism of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. It also helps the body create red blood cells and neurotransmitters. Since the body doesn’t produce this vitamin on its own, it can be easy to become deficient if you are not getting enough from food or supplements.

The best way to get vitamin B6 from food is by eating foods that are rich in the nutrient. Some such foods include:

  • Pork
  • Poultry
  • Fish
  • Peanuts
  • Soya beans
  • Oats
  • Bananas

If diet is not enough, supplementation may be required to help keep levels of vitamin B6 where they need to be for overall health and wellness.

Most common nutrient deficiencies

Besides vitamin B6, there are six other common nutrient deficiencies that people suffer from. Each will come with its own set of symptoms to look out for so you can tell if you may need to get more in your diet.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A deficiency can lead to an impairment in the function of the immune system, rashes, and ocular effects. If you notice any changes in the way your eyes adjust to light or dark, it could be time to investigate a vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin B12

Anemia tends to be the result of a vitamin B12 deficiency, which presents with symptoms such as chronic fatigue, weakness, pale skin, dizziness, and chest pain.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D, otherwise known as the sunshine vitamin, is important for a lot of reasons. It helps the body absorb other nutrients such as calcium and phosphorous which are vital to bone health. Symptoms of a deficiency can include fatigue, depression, and muscle aches and weakness.

Calcium

If calcium deficiency lasts for a long period of time it can lead to health issues surrounding the teeth, bones, and even the brain. Symptoms of a calcium deficiency include tingling in the lips, tongue, fingers, and feet; muscle aches and spasms; seizures; and abnormal heart rhythms.

Iron

Iron is important for red blood cell health. There are two types of iron: heme, which is very well absorbed and found in meats, and non-heme, which is in both animal and plant foods but isn’t as bioavailable. Iron deficiency can also lead to anemia and symptoms include fatigue, weakness, decreased immune function, and lowered brain function.

Magnesium

Magnesium is important for many processes within the body and is an essential component to bone and teeth health. Some symptoms of a deficiency in this mineral are restless leg syndrome, fatigue, and migraines.

Vital RX - fruits and nuts
Image by Jonathan Riley on Unsplash: Bananas and nuts are just two great sources of vitamin B6.

How to remedy nutrient deficiencies

The easiest way to address nutrient deficiencies is by adding foods to your diet that are rich in the particular vitamin you’re lacking, or by using supplementation. Supplementation may be necessary as a first course of treatment if the deficiency is particularly high. To ensure that your symptoms don’t stem from an underlying health condition, getting vitamin and nutrient levels checked is the first step on the road to fixing a vitamin deficiency.

The essential vitamins and minerals the body needs aren’t always easy to get through diet alone, but between changing your diet and increasing supplementation, you can address any nutrient deficiencies and get back to being healthy in no time.

Featured image by Adam Neiścioruk on Unsplash

4 Easy Steps To A Simple Winter Detox

As the body’s largest organ, the liver has a pretty big job to do. Along with over 500 other different functions, it provides the body with the much-needed exit door for toxins. It does this by filtering out all the blood that comes through the digestive tract and sorting through different nutrients, toxins, and hormones.

Since the liver is a detoxifier all on its own, it can be hard to imagine how you can help the process out. But some detox programs can actually give the liver a little boost when it comes to getting its job done properly. During winter, a specific type of detox may be especially important because the what the body needs during those cold months of the year is different than in other seasons. So, what is a winter detox, exactly, and how can you do it for optimal health? Read on for our easy steps to a simple winter detox.

What is a winter detox?

In the simplest terms, a winter detox is just a detoxification program that occurs in the winter season. There’s much more to it than just doing your simple juicing and cleansing, though. A detox is designed to reset and rejuvenate the body to help battle fatigue and other unhelpful symptoms that happen when the body is weighed down by too many toxins.

When it comes to winter detoxification, the idea is to focus on eating better, moving more (even though it can be hard to get outside exercise), and balancing your body and mind. A winter detox should include foods that have warming properties to ensure that the optimal metabolic state is reached. It’s important to keep warm in the winter for overall health because when the internal temperature is stable, the body is more likely to be able to fight off viruses and infections.   

Vital RX - winter soup
Image by Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash: How can I detox my body at home naturally? Start with your diet.

What are the benefits of a detox diet for winter?

When the seasons change, the body undergoes some changes, too. This is because it has to prepare itself to adapt for the colder temperatures. Processes like metabolism, hormone levels, and circulation all need to adjust when colder temperatures roll in. Lifestyle changes such as more indoor time and the consumption of heavier comfort foods can also lead to changes in the body. With all these different changes come all-new toxins for your body, some of which it might not be used to.

The biggest benefit of doing a winter detox is to help your body adjust to those changes. Since there will be new toxins to eliminate, the body will need to be ready and able to get rid of them so that any side effects from being over-toxified don’t set in. Think of it as a fresh start for your liver.

How can I detox my body in winter safely?

If you want to do a detox, it might be tempting to look up a quick three-day program so you can get it over with. However, the safest way to detox the liver is by taking your time. This is because toxins need ample time to be released from the body or they may end up sticking around and triggering an inflammatory response. This can lead to flu-like symptoms (and the feeling that you’re hurting your body more than helping).

You don’t want to end up overloading your detox pathways so that nothing can get out, so you’ll also want to pay close attention to what you’re putting into your body during a detox. If you’re trying to eliminate toxins but continue to consume others, it’s a losing game. You have to be tuned into your body and really listen to it. If something doesn’t feel right, chances are you should slow the detox program down.

How do you do a simple detox?

Here are our four key steps to a simple winter detox.

1. Start with your diet

Eating a proper diet is vital to a winter detox. You’ll want to eat warming foods designed to help keep the body’s temperature where it needs to be during long bouts of cold weather. Start by eliminating sugars, processed foods, and caffeine from the diet, and eating winter detox foods such as healthy soups, walnuts, fruits like blueberries and cranberries, Brussels sprouts, and salmon.

2. Practice mindful relaxation

Mental or emotional health is just as important as physical health during a detox. When stress is at an all-time high, the body can have a more difficult time removing toxins, as the overabundance of stress hormones slows the detoxification process.Taking a long mineral bath or doing an online yoga class from the warmth and comfort of your own home can go a long way toward reaching a nice and relaxed state.

Vital RX - winter
Image by Clint Patterson on Unsplash: A winter detox can be as simple as just a few lifestyle changes.

3. Stay warm

Feeling sluggish in the winter happens to everyone. Less vitamin D, coupled with the fact that circulation suffers in cold temperatures by trying to preserve warmth for the internal organs, can lead to winter tiredness. Stay cozy with warm socks, blankets, sweaters, or heating options when you’re in your home.

4. Supplement where necessary

Even if your diet is ideal and your winter detox is going smoothly, supplementation can help make sure that your body is getting what it needs while it’s hard at work getting rid of what it doesn’t. Riboflavin is a great supplement to take because of its immune supporting benefits, and milk thistle, dandelion root, and turmeric can all help the liver get the toxins out.

Doing a winter liver detox can help you rid the body of the toxins that build up over the course of the colder months, and keep you healthy throughout a season where many people are more susceptible to illness.

Featured image by Rodolfo Sanches Carvalho on Unsplash

What Organ Systems Are Affected By Excess Body Fat?

Being overweight or obese can be dangerous for a variety of different reasons. When many people focus on losing weight, a big part of their motivation comes from cosmetic reasons – but many people aren’t privy to the real health risks of carrying around excess weight.

How does obesity affect the body?

On a cellular level, the process of gaining weight occurs when new fat cells are formed, and along with old fat cells, begin to grow. Every person has a set number of fat cells; when weight loss occurs, those fat cells begin to shrink, not disappear. This could be why some people are more likely to be overweight or obese than others.

Obesity puts a strain on every system of the body. To put it into perspective, think about your body as a vehicle. When the trunk is completely empty, the car will run smoother and faster, and waste less gas. As the trunk begins to fill up, its performance continues to decrease. In terms of the body, as weight continues to build upon the frame, the body’s systems begin to lose their ability to do what they’re supposed to do.

Vital RX - weight
Image by Siora Photography on Unsplash: How do you know if you have excess body fat if it’s not obvious?

How do you know if you have excess body fat?

Aside from visually seeing the weight on your body, knowing how much fat you have can be tricky. The Body Mass Index (BMI) has been used as an indicator since the 1800s, but recent research has found that it has no place in determining overall levels of health because of the factors it doesn’t take into consideration.

The best way to tell if you have excess fat but aren’t sure of it is to check your overall levels of health. If you get winded going upstairs or can’t do a single push-up, it could mean that your body isn’t carrying around as much muscle as you thought.

Risks associated with excess body fat

There are some serious health risks associated with being overweight. In comparison to those with healthy body weights, those who are obese have a higher risk for developing the following health conditions:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • High cholesterol
  • Stroke
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Breathing problems and sleep issues
  • Cancer
  • Mental illness
  • Chronic pain and inflammation
  • Early death


This list is not exhaustive, but it does paint a grim picture about how that excess body weight can be detrimental to one’s overall levels of a health.

Body systems affected by being overweight

When there is excess weight on the body, it doesn’t typically affect only one system, but rather the majority of them. The location of the highest levels of fat will be the deciding factor of what system is affected and how badly. Visceral fat is the type of fat that sits around the organs, and when it is found in high amounts, it can damage organ function.

Respiratory system

The respiratory system is the network of organs and tissues that help with breathing. When the body has too much fat, it can cause issues with this system by putting compression on the chest cavity, particularly the lungs and diaphragm. This leads to pulmonary damage. Excess fat can also decrease how well the respiratory functions by reducing muscle strength in the chest. The buildup of fat on the body can lead to asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness, and increased inflammation.

Digestive system

Obesity can lead to a variety of different digestive issues, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, erosive esophagitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, and digestive organ cancers.

Reproductive system

Studies have shown that women who are overweight or obese have a harder time becoming pregnant due to anovulation and menstrual dysfunction. They can also experience infertility at higher rates than those who have a healthy amount of fat on their body, as well as a heightened risk for miscarriage and pregnancy complications.

Endocrine system

Obesity affects the endocrine system by altering the way the hypothalamic-pituitary hormone axes functions. This leads to problems with hormone release, which can cause hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency, and Cushing’s Disease.

Cardiovascular system

Since those with too much excess weight require more blood to circulate oxygen throughout the body, the cardiovascular system has to work extra hard. This leads to high blood pressure, which in turn significantly raises the risk of heart attack. It can also change the structure and function of the heart because of how hard it has to work to get the same tasks done, leading to heart failure.

Vital RX - excess weight
Image by Jarmoluk on Pixabay: Every bodily system is affected by excess weight on the body.

Mental health

Being obese can lead to a variety of different mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and eating disorders.

Liver

Being obese can also affect the liver because of buildup that can lead to inflammation and damage. When the liver can’t handle the input to output of fat, it begins to malfunction. This leads to fatty liver disease.  

Kidneys

When the body holds excess weight, the kidneys need to work harder to filter out waste. This can lead to an over-productive kidney function. As time goes on, this extra work causes strain on the kidneys and can lead to kidney disease.

Musculoskeletal system

Being obese can cause limited function in the way the muscles perform, hindering mobility, postural and dynamic balance, and strength over time. It also puts unnecessary pressure on the joints, which can deplete cartilage levels, leading to a variety of arthritic conditions.

Immune system

Since obesity can cause an inflammatory response in the body, it can lead to an impairment in the immune function. This leads the body to become more susceptible to infections and an increased rate of mortality when battling serious respiratory infections such as H1N1.  

Since being overweight or obese can negatively affect all bodily systems, it can be attributed to the onset of many different diseases. Losing weight can be tough, but it’s often a huge step in the right direction towards living healthily.

Featured image by mojzagrebinfo on Pixabay

What Proper Hydration Does For The Body

The human body is made up of roughly 60% water. From this figure, it can be generally assumed that water is pretty important when it comes to overall health. The role of water within the body isn’t assigned to one process, but rather all the processes that occur in organs, tissues, muscles, and even bones.

The entire body depends on hydration to be able to sustain its level of health, and without enough water, things can begin to malfunction. But what does hydration really mean, and why is it so important? Let’s investigate what proper hydration does for the body.

What is hydration?

A hydrate is something that contains water or similar elements. These hydrates are found in copious amounts in the human body. Cells, tissues, and organs are full of hydrates; this is why water makes up so much of the human body.

Hydration simply means every hydrate within the body is stable, or has the appropriate amount of water to maintain its structure. When the water molecules in each specific atom are forced out, whether it be through sweat, tears, or urination, the body begins to lose the balance of water it needs. When this isn’t counteracted with taking in enough fluids, the body becomes dehydrated.

Vital RX - water
Image by Thao Le Hoang on Unsplash: Flavoring your water can be a great way to ensure you’re getting enough and thus reaping the benefits of hydration.

Why is hydration important?

Hydration plays a role in every bodily system. If organs such as the lungs, heart, and skin are not hydrated enough, they begin to malfunction. In the case of the heart, blood circulation begins to suffer; when the lungs aren’t getting enough, they can thicken and become sticky, leading to increased vulnerability to illness and the slowing of respiration. Dehydrated skin can become dry, itchy, dull, and lifeless. Severe fluid loss can even lead to a loss of consciousness, because the body can’t handle itself without proper hydration.

Water can also act as a solvent to help dissolve certain materials within the body. Things such as nutrients, vitamins, and even salt need to be dissolved so they can move freely to where they need to go. Body temperature regulation is also heavily reliant on the amount of water one has in their system, and when dehydration sets in it can lead to fever-like symptoms as well as hypothermia. Water also plays a key role in things such as the prevention of infection, sleep quality, and brain health.

What are the benefits of hydration?

The benefits of staying hydrated are vast. Physical performance, for example, is one area where hydration is vital. While the body moves, it begins to lose water through sweat, and those water stores need to be replenished. A person only needs to lose as little as 1–2% of their body’s water stores before it becomes a hindrance on physical performance by stalling temperature regulation and encouraging the onset of fatigue.

Hydration is equally important for brain function. Following the loss of water, the brain becomes impaired, but when hydration is continuous, things like mood, concentration, and other cognitive abilities are sharper. Staying hydrated can also reduce the amount of headaches a person gets.

Digestion is also heavily reliant on the amount of water a person has in their system. Water is needed to help break down food properly for the absorption of nutrients. It can also help with colon health by giving the intestines enough fluid to help pass stools.  

The joints, too, need their fair share of H20 to function properly. Cartilage is made up of 80% water, and it needs to fluid to help absorb shock from movement in the joints. Having proper hydration can contribute to optimal joint health.

Other benefits of staying hydrated include the following:

  • Proper oxygen circulation throughout the body via the blood
  • Skin health
  • Cushioning for sensitive tissues such as the spinal cord
  • Flushing waste from the body
  • Helping the kidneys regulate fluid throughout the body

To put it simply, water is a vital component to the health of every part of the human body and plays a role in every system, function, or movement.

Vital RX - water bottle
Image by Bluewater Globe on Unsplash: Carrying water with you everywhere you go will help you stay hydrated throughout the day.

Tips for staying hydrated

It might be hard for some people to stay hydrated throughout the day, depending on how much water they lose, how much they drink, and their own personal lifestyle choices. However, there are some easy tips that can be implemented to help you stay hydrated.

Start your day off with a glass of water

Skip the coffee first thing and have water. It will set you up for hydration success throughout the day (and you can always get your caffeine afterwards!).

Keep water on hand at all times

It might be cumbersome to carry around a water bottle everywhere, but it’s important to always have access to fluids. Pick a bottle that you like and keep it with you everywhere you go.

Add some flavor

Sometimes the taste of water is what turns people off. Infuse your water with some fresh or frozen fruit and it’ll taste better.

Eat your water

You don’t have to be sipping water all day long to stay hydrated. There are plenty of foods that the body can pull fluids from, such as cantaloupe, strawberries, spinach, and watermelon.

Since staying hydrated is crucial, it’s important to find a way to do it that works for you and stick with it. If you become dehydrated, your body will suffer, so be sure to find a way to get into good hydration habits and stick to them.

Featured image by Nigel Msipa on Unsplash

14 Immune-Boosting Winter Foods To Fight Off Illness

The immune system can always use an extra boost, but that is especially true in the winter months. During the winter, colds and flus typically affect people in higher numbers because people are more likely to stay in enclosed spaces for longer and because viruses thrive in the cold, low-humidity conditions.

Making sure your immune system is up to par when flu season rolls around is crucial to warding off illness and keeping yourself healthy all year round. There are plenty of things you can do to stay on top of your immune function – including eating some immune-boosting winter foods.

What are home remedies to boost your immune system?

There are a few things you can do for your immune system that require little effort and can be done from the comfort of your own home. Getting enough quality sleep is vital to immune health because the less quality sleep a person gets, the more likely their immune system will weaken, leaving them open to illness.

Moderate exercise is also a great way to help improve the functionality of the immune system. Research has shown that people who engage in moderate exercise regularly, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, light hiking, and biking, show an improvement in the way their immune system functions. The one caveat is that the activity shouldn’t be too intense, as intense bouts of exercise can actually suppress immune function.  

Staying hydrated is also a simple way to keep the immune system up to par. Dehydration can cause a variety of ailments such as headaches, mood imbalances, and heart and kidney issues, and when the body is fighting to stay healthy on its own, it has a hard time fighting off pathogens. It’s also worth noting that keeping stress levels down can have a positive effect on immune function. You can reduce stress through relaxation exercises such as meditation or yoga.  

Vital RX - winter exercise
Image by Einar H. Reynis on Unsplash: How do I boost my immune system to fight a cold? Try some moderate exercise such as jogging.

What foods boost your immune system when sick?

Diet is the best way to ensure that your immune system is running at its best. If a cold or flu has already taken hold of your body, there are specific foods that can lessen the duration and severity of the illness by boosting your immune function and getting you back to health.

  1. Broths. Broths are great when you’re sick because they keep you hydrated, are easy to stomach, and contain vital nutrients that the immune system needs to be ready for battle.
  2. Garlic. Garlic has both antibacterial and antiviral effects, so it’s a great addition to your diet if you’ve caught a cold. It has been shown to help stimulate the immune system.
  3. Honey. Honey is full of antimicrobial compounds, which give it antibacterial effects. This has led to honey being used to help people ward off illnesses and get over common flus and colds.
  4. Oatmeal. Oatmeal is bland enough to eat while sick but also packs a punch when it comes to helping you get over that pesky cold. Oats contain beta-glucans, which stimulate the immune response.
  5. Berries. The immune-boosting effects of berries come from polyphenols, a type of antioxidant.
  6. Green leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach have vitamin C, beta carotene, and antioxidants. When consumed regularly, they can give the body a better chance at fighting off infection.  
  7. Citrus fruits. Citrus fruits are full of vitamin C, a vital nutrient for immune health. The vitamin plays a role in the production of white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting off infection. Having more white blood cells will make the immune response stronger.
  8. Yogurt. Natural yogurt is high in vitamin D, a nutrient that helps regulate the immune system and its response to outside invaders.Vitamin D can also be found in supplement form, and in Vital RX’s Immune Health Subscription Box.
  9. Bell peppers. Bell peppers have both vitamin C and beta-carotene, two crucial nutrients for optimal immune health.
  10. Sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are a great immunity booster because they are full of nutrients that help immune function, such as vitamin E, vitamin B6, and magnesium.
  11. Kiwi. When the body is fighting off an infection, it needs all the nutrients it can get. The kiwifruit is a superfood of sorts and is full of essential nutrients such as folate, vitamin K, and vitamin C.
  12. Almonds. The immune system requires vitamin E to do its job; almonds are packed with this nutrient.
  13. Papaya. Another vitamin C-packed fruit that you can eat while sick is papaya. The fruit also contains a specific digestive enzyme known as papain that lowers inflammation throughout the body.
  14. Shellfish. Shellfish may not be your first thought when considering immune-boosting foods, but they are a great food to eat when sick. This is because they have a ton of zinc, a mineral that helps immune cells function properly.

This list, although not exhaustive, is a great place to start when thinking about boosting your immune system this winter. The important thing to remember is the vital nutrients that are needed to help ward off infection and keep the immune system running strongly.

Specific nutrients that are vital to immune health include:

  • Vitamin C. (Spinach, kale, strawberries)
  • Vitamin E. (Nuts, seeds, oils)
  • Vitamin A. (Carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash)
  • Vitamin D. (Salmon, tuna, fortified cereals)
  • Folate/Folic acid. (Enriched foods such as pasta, bread, and rice)
  • Iron. (Red meat, chicken, turkey, beans, broccoli)
  • Selenium. (Seafood, poultry, cottage cheese)
  • Zinc. (Baked beans, yogurt, chickpeas)
Vital RX - shrimp
Image by Elle Hughes on Unsplash: Shellfish such as shrimp pack a lot of iron, an immune-boosting food.

If the immune system is functioning properly, it becomes a lot harder for pathogens to infiltrate the body. Eating immune-boosting foods all year round is a great way to keep your health up to par, but adding them in when temperatures start to drop can be a great immunity boost in winter.

Featured image by Bluebird Provisions on Unsplash

How To Fast-Track Your Fitness And Drop That Holiday Weight

The holidays are typically the time of year where everyone loosens their restrictions around diet and exercise. After all, with all the get-togethers and fun seasonal treats, it’s hard not to overindulge.

Research finds that the average person gains anywhere from 1–2 pounds during the holidays, which is much less than most people suspect. The main reason for the discrepancy in how much weight people actually gain and how much they think they gain is how they feel. Temporary bloating following heavy meals and lots of snacks can be the culprit behind feeling 10 pounds heavier.

Since weight gain can vary from person to person, only you will know how much weight you’ve put on over the holidays. The good news is that two to three weeks of overindulgence doesn’t tend to lead to too much weight gain. It can, however, lead to difficulty getting back into the swing of your diet and fitness routine. So, how can you get back on track after all the holiday fun is over?

Here’s how to fast-track your fitness – and how to drop holiday weight along with it.

Vital RX - dancing
Image by Danielle Cerullo on Unsplash: Dancing can be a fun activity to burn calories and lose that holiday weight.

How can I lose holiday weight fast with exercise?

The holiday weight you gained may be a little or a lot, depending on how relaxed you chose to be about your diet. The good news is that no matter how much weight you gained, there are some simple tips and tricks that can help you drop holiday heaviness. Since losing weight generally comes down to a combination of a calorie deficit and adequate exercise, focusing on what you eat and how much you move can lead to a quick reduction in that weight gain.

To get started with exercise in the new year, it can be helpful to add a new activity that you enjoy into your routine. The addition of something you’ve never done before will stimulate the mind, hold your interest, and provide you with a fun way to exercise. Research has shown that people who partake in physical activities that they enjoy and that provide more benefit than just healthy weight were more likely to stick to a routine, as well as to report higher levels of physical activity overall.

Exercises such as running or jogging, dancing, hiking, bicycling, and water sports can all lead to a high calorie burn. It’s all about finding something you love and sticking with it.  

How can I lose holiday weight fast with diet?

When it comes to diet, it may be hard to make the switch between all those sugary and salty treats you consumed over the holidays for plates of vegetables and low-carb foods. But it’s not impossible. There will be a period of adjustment, because sugar addiction is a real thing and it can be tough to deal with. The good news is that it passes relatively quickly, especially if you are someone who stays away from sugars for the better part of the year.

Cutting down on your sugar or refined carbohydrate intake, you’re likely to experience less hunger, which will lead to fewer calories eaten throughout the day. Adding in protein sources, vegetables, and healthy fats such as olive oil will also keep you satiated for longer, leaving you without the snack cravings that often come with the territory of overindulging in refined carbs and sugars.

If you want to lose the weight fact, restrictions will need to be set in place. Once you’ve dropped those extra couple of pounds, you can begin to slowly reintroduce some extra foods in moderation. After all, moderation is vital in limiting the chances for binge-eating unhealthy foods.

Some supplements can also be of great assistance when trying to lose weight after the holidays. Vital RX’s Fat Loss Subscription Box contains a combination of peptide supplements, vitamins, and nutrients to help kickstart a healthy weight loss journey.

How can I get workout results fast?

It’s crucial to take small steps in the right direction when it comes to changing diet and upping your workout routine. Research has shown that doing too much too quickly can lead to injury, burnout, or a stress response within the body. To get results quickly, you’ll have to improve your nutrition first.

Then, you’ll want to focus on the right type of exercise. An hour-long walk is good for you; however, an high-intensity 20-minute workout may help speed up results. This is because these types of exercises lead to the body’s improved ability to metabolize foods, leading to higher calorie burn in less time.  

Vital RX - holiday weight gain
Image by Samuel Ramos on Unsplash: Many people believe they gain more weight over the holidays than they actually do – the typical amount is one to two pounds.

How long does it take to get fitness levels up?

Fitness level improvements will vary depending on your starting point. If you work out all year round and just skipped the holidays, you will suffer from loss of muscle mass starting about two weeks after your last workout. Easing back into things will make it easier to keep up with form and prevent injury.

The first week back at your regularly scheduled routine will be harder than you remember, but your fitness levels are likely to be completely restored within one to two weeks. For those who are just starting a new routine, it may take a lot longer. Beginners can expect around eight weeks of hard to work to get to a moderate level of fitness.  

Taking a few weeks off every year to enjoy life and let loose can be good for the mind, which in turn is good for the body. It’s important to remember that those few weeks of holiday indulgence aren’t causing too much damage, and getting back into your healthy lifestyle is easier than you think. Motivation is crucial following the off time, and dropping holiday weight can be done by following the above tips closely.

Featured image by Victor Freitas on Unsplash

6 Ways To Improve Your Quality Of Sleep (And Why It’s Important)

Sleep is a vital component of overall health. During the sleep cycle, the body goes through different stages, all of which are designed to keep internal systems functioning as they should.

There are five stages of the sleep cycle and each typically occurs within a 90-minute timeframe.

The first two stages are considered light sleep, the third and fourth are deep sleep, and the fifth is rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, the part of the sleep cycle when dreams occur. If the body doesn’t cycle through the sleep stages appropriately, a person can suffer from a variety of different health issues caused by a lack of proper rest.  

Why is quality of sleep important?

When people think about sleep, they often focus on how many hours they get in a night – but how long sleep occurs is arguably less important than the quality of sleep one gets. Sleep quality is the main factor in how tired a person is upon waking. For example, getting nine hours of sleep may sound optimal, but a person will only benefit if they wake during the appropriate time during the sleep cycle.

Waking up at the end of a sleep cycle or during one of the light sleep stages is thought to have the greatest impact on wakefulness throughout the day. If a person wakes during REM sleep, they are more likely to feel groggy and tired throughout the day.

Vital RX - lavender
Image by Castleguard on Pixabay: Lavender is one of the great home remedies for good sleep.

How is quality of sleep calculated?

There are four specific ways to determine the quality of sleep a person gets:

  • Amount of time in bed
  • Amount of time in deep sleep while in bed
  • How often one moves and how intense the movements are throughout the night
  • How much time a person spent awake throughout the night

For many people, sleep trackers can be used to determine these four factors. Other ways to measure quality of sleep include determining how alert you are upon waking and examining your overall health. Since sleep plays a key role in the health of the mind and body, it can be helpful to consider certain symptoms and determine if they could be attributed to a sleep disturbance. For example, a continuous lack of quality sleep can lead to medical conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Ways to improve quality of sleep

If you’re wondering how to sleep better at night naturally, the good news is that there are plenty of small steps you can take that are easy and effective. The best home remedies for good sleep include: 

Increase your exposure to light during the day

The body functions using its own clock called the circadian rhythm. It plays a vital role in many things such as brain health and hormone balances. Getting natural daylight throughout the day helps the circadian rhythm function as it should. Studies have shown that people with insomnia saw a reduction in their symptoms after being exposed to bright light during the day.

Avoid blue light exposure at night

At night, and especially before bed, exposure to blue light (such as using your phone or watching TV) can have a negative effect on how much sleep you get as well as the quality of that sleep. This is because blue light can fool the brain into thinking that it’s still daytime, thus upsetting the body’s natural circadian rhythm. This also affects the body’s release of melatonin, a sleep hormone, and thus lessens your chance of having a good night’s sleep.

Vital RX - blue light
Image by Isabell Winter on Unsplash: Wondering how to sleep better at night naturally? Stay away from the (blue) light.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Many people use caffeine to “wake up” in the morning. Some studies have also shown that it can have positive effects on the body, such as enhancing focus. However, if caffeine is ingested too late in the day, the nervous system becomes stimulated and the body has a harder time relaxing.

Alcohol, on the other hand, can contribute to new or worsened sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, and disrupted sleep patterns.

Skip the long nap

Some studies suggest that napping can be great for overall health, but the length of the nap is the determining factor on whether it has a positive or negative effect. Daytime sleeping for longer than a quick 20-minute nap can lead to a confused internal clock, which in turn could cause you to struggle to sleep at night time.

Set a sleep schedule

Since the circadian rhythm is on its own sort of loop when it comes to sleep timing, having a consistent sleep schedule will significantly increase your chances of improving your overall quality of sleep. A sleep schedule should be designed to work for you and your lifestyle, and should adhere to the same schedule every night and every morning, even on weekends. 

Try a supplement

At-home remedies for good sleep are all well and good, but they can also benefit from supplementation. Since melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that signals your brain to sleep every night, taking a melatonin supplement can have the same effects.

Other supplements that can be taken to help improve overall sleep quality include:

  • Ginkgo biloba. This herbal remedy has been found to encourage relaxation and stress reduction.
  • Valerian root. Valerian root has been shown to improve sleep quality and help you fall asleep faster.
  • Magnesium. Magnesium is vital chemical element that can induce feelings of relaxation, leading to an improvement in sleep quality.
  • Lavender. Lavender acts as a sedative and induces feelings of calmness. It has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of insomnia.

Improving your quality of sleep can make a huge difference in your day-to-day life. Good sleep can also lower the risk of developing a weakened immune function, as well as many chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, mental illness, and obesity.

Sleep quality is one of the most important things that determines your overall health. The good news is that getting a good night’s sleep is just a few simple steps away!

Featured image by Gregory Pappas on Unsplash

Does Peptide Therapy Work For Hair Loss?

Hair loss is a widespread cosmetic issue for over 35 million men and 21 million women. The condition can range from mild to severe, with the milder end of the spectrum involving only a small and possibly unnoticeable amount of hair loss, all the way through to the other extreme: total baldness.

No one wants to lose their hair, but as the body ages, it begins to experience hair loss at increasing rates throughout mid- and late adulthood. There have been a wide variety of treatments and therapies available for hair loss such as hair plugs, creams, sprays, and the like. But what about peptides? Does peptide therapy work for hair loss? Let’s find out.

Types of hair loss

Not all hair loss is the same. In fact, there are seven different categories to describe different types of medical hair loss. They are:

Telogen effluvium

This type of hair loss occurs following large bouts of bodily stress, such as a major surgery or illness. It can also occur in women after they give birth due to a change in hormone levels.

Drug side effects

Certain medications can lead to hair loss, such as those used during chemotherapy treatments.

Medical illness symptom

Hair loss can be just one symptom of a specific medical condition. Illnesses such as systemic lupus, thyroid disorders, and nutrient deficiency can all lead to hair loss.

Tinea capitis

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that occurs on the scalp. It leads to patchy hair loss and flaking or scaling skin where the hair has fallen out.

Alopecia

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease that causes patchy hair loss and is most commonly found in people with other autoimmune diseases.

Traumatic alopecia

This type of hair loss is caused by pulling the hair too tight, as well as exposure to extreme heat and styling chemicals.

Trichotillomania

People with this psychiatric disorder may end up with hair loss due to their own actions. They may pull and twist their hair compulsively, leading to bald spots.  

The type of treatment for hair loss will depend greatly on the specific condition causing it, if there is one at all. Since hair loss occurs naturally with age, it may just be inevitable if there is no medical condition present.

Vital RX - bald spot
Image by Jurien Huggins on Unsplash: Peptide therapy could help reduce the prevalence of bald spots at any age.

How does peptide therapy work?

Peptides are short-chain amino acids that are naturally occurring within the body. The amino acids used to make up peptides are the building blocks of protein, and all contribute to the overall proper function of specific bodily functions. Peptide therapy can be used to help regulate or rejuvenate otherwise failing functions. They do this by binding to cells and telling specific cells what they should be doing.

Peptides can promote homeostasis throughout the body by acting as messengers and deliverers of materials. Since there are many types of peptides, each one has a different function when it comes to peptide therapy.

What is the best therapy for hair loss?

Depending on the type of hair loss, therapy will vary. In the case of trichotillomania, for example, psychiatric therapy will need to be carried out to help stop the compulsive behavior. In the event that the hair loss is occurring due to side effects from certain medications, depending on the medication and the disease it is treating, a doctor may recommended stopping or slowing dosage, or alternating to a different medication.

Other forms of hair loss treatment include:

Prescription and OTC drugs

Medications such as Rogaine can be purchased over the counter and can help people restore hair growth. Finasteride is another prescription hair loss treatment that comes in the form of a pill.

Hair transplants

There are two types of hair transplants: follicular transplantation, which involves the removal and replacement of hair follicles to bald spots, and follicular extraction, which involves the same process but with hair follicles from a different area of the scalp.

Laser treatments

Laser treatments aim to reduce inflammation of hair follicles that could lead to hair loss.

Lifestyle changes

Quitting smoking, getting regular scalp massages, eating a balanced diet, avoiding disease, and reducing stress can all help with hair loss.

Alternative remedies

Many people opt for oils, biotin supplements, and other naturopathic treatment options when battling hair loss.

The above treatments tend to be the most popular, but the cause of hair loss will have to be taken into account in order for a person is to choose the right therapy for them.

Vital RX - hair
Image by Gift Habeshaw on Unplash: Is there a peptide injection for hair growth? Copper peptides can lead to thicker hair and less hair loss over time.

Peptides for hair loss

Since peptides can work for a myriad of different health conditions, it’s no wonder that there is a specific one just for hair loss. Copper peptides for hair growth have been used by many people suffering from this condition. They work by blocking DHT, a substance that leads to the damaging of hair follicles.

Copper peptides have also been shown to increase the size of hair follicles, leading to thicker hair growth following therapy. Because copper peptides can also stimulate blood flow to the scalp, they have been shown to correct the aging-related lack of blood flow that occurs as people get older (when the blood flow to the scalp diminishes, it leads to hair loss).

Copper peptides have also been proven to help with the growth cycle of hair. The growth cycle includes three phases, one of which involves new hair growth. The peptide therapy for hair loss manages to extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, leading to more hair growth over time.

Hair loss is an unpleasant condition to deal with, but with peptide therapy, it can be a thing of the past.

Featured image by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

What Does The CJC Peptide Do In The Body?

Peptides are similar to proteins, but smaller in size. They are short-chain amino acids that play vital roles in many different processes throughout the body. Peptides are naturally occurring, meaning they are biological molecules that the body produces to help things run smoothly. They target different systems and consist of 2–50 short-chain amino acids.

When it comes to certain health conditions, peptide therapy has been researched widely as an effective way to restore and regulate different functions. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other types of therapies. CJC 1295 is a specific peptide designed to stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone.

What is CJC?

The peptide CJC 1295 is a synthetic analogue version of CJC. Naturally occurring CJC is in charge of the stimulation and released of human growth hormone from the pituitary gland. Because human growth hormone is used in a variety of different processes (from stimulating growth in children and adolescents to boosting protein production in adults), it is important that it is released when the body needs it.

If an adult doesn’t secrete enough human growth hormone, it can lead to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, weak muscles and bones, and mental health issues. This is why levels of CJC need to be at their best to help eliminate or reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions.

Other symptoms and health conditions that could be caused by low levels of human growth hormone include:

  • Cognitive dysfunction, such as changes in memory and attention span
  • Depression, anxiety, and social isolation
  • Fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Neuromuscular dysfunction
  • Central adiposity
  • Decreased bone density
  • A decrease in the body’s sensitivity to insulin
  • Increased lipoprotein
  • A decrease in the body’s ability to thermoregulate 

This goes to show just how important it is for CJC levels to be regulated so they can do their job of encouraging production and secretion of human growth hormone.

Vital RX - children
Image by Robert Collins on Unsplash: CJC is naturally occurring in the body and stimulates human growth hormone in both children and adults.

What does CJC 1295 do?

When the body doesn’t produce enough CJC on its own, people may need to supplement with CJC 1295. Since there are serious health repercussions at stake when the body is deficient in human growth hormone (the most serious being premature death), CJC 1295 aims to correct low levels through regular therapy.

Levels of human growth hormone naturally begin depleting within the body at age 30. This can contribute to changes in body composition over time, as well as altered stamina and endurance, lack of vigor, and heightened risk of certain terminal illnesses such as cancer. CJC 1295 can help alleviate some of these risks and restore balance in human growth hormone levels.

How long does CJC 1295 take to work?

CJC-1295 is taken via injection. It has been found to have immediate effects in the levels of both human growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor. A single injection was found to have been effective for at least six days, but could sometimes last up to 11. The half-life, meaning the time it takes for the injection to be reduced to half of its value, of CJC-1295 is six to eight days.

With regular use and proper dosing, it has been found that CJC-1295 can lead to optimal levels of human growth hormone and the insulin-like growth factor for up to 28 days.  

CJC 1295 benefits

Research has found CJC 1295 to be incredibly beneficial in a variety of ways. Due to its stimulation of human growth hormone and insulin-growth factor, it can help with a variety of different bodily functions.

The most notable benefits of CJC 1295 come from that stimulation, and can include:

  • An increase in muscle mass and bone density
  • Improved cognitive function that may have been affected by a deficiency in human growth hormone
  • An increased ability to repair and regenerate cells
  • An increased level of overall fat loss when combined with a healthy lifestyle

These benefits should be seen within the first month of therapy; however, more benefits can be attained through regular use of CJC 1295 peptide therapy. They include:

  • Healthier skin, hair, and nails
  • Better metabolic function
  • Increased libido
  • Mental focus
  • Joint health
  • Improved levels of wellness due to organ regrowth and repair

People may also see a reduced level of overall fat if used during a six-month period without any changes in diet and exercise, but adopting a healthier lifestyle during CJC peptide therapy will increase the efficacy of the peptide and thus increase overall results.

Vital RX - weight loss
Image by I yunmai on Unsplash: Taking CJC 1295 for six months has shown to lead to an overall reduction in fat on the body.

CJC 1295 side effects

Taking human growth hormone has been shown to have serious side effects in many people. That is why some have turned to CJC 1295, because it is far less risky for adverse effects. Although the peptide is generally tolerated well by most people, some may experience side effects while taking it. These side effects can include:

  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Hives or other skin reactions brought on by an allergy response
  • Hyperactivity

CJC 1295 does not pose too much risk, and the side effects tend to be mild if they appear at all.

Do you need a prescription for CJC 1295?

Injectable medications are often not easy to acquire, and CJC 1295 is no exception. To obtain the peptide, a prescription will need to be filled out. The CJC 1295 peptide is included in Vital RX’s Immune Health Box because of its ability to aid in overall wellness.

To explore further, schedule a consultation with our doctor or speak to your family care physician if you feel that CJC 1295 could benefit you. The consultation is important because it allows the doctor to take into account your medical history and any medications or supplements you may already be taken that could interact with or contradict the effectiveness of CJC 1295.

Featured image by Inspired Horizons Digital Marketing on Unsplash

Can Thymosin α-1 Treat Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized as extreme tiredness or fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest. The syndrome is unlikely to be attributed to an underlying medical condition, so it can be hard to pinpoint where it’s coming from and how it started in the first place. It is sometimes referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis or systemic exertion intolerance disease.

Since the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome isn’t easy to determine, treatment options can also be difficult to attain. Some research suggests that the condition can be caused by various ailments, including viral infection or chronic stress. The only way to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome is by ruling out other conditions, making the illness rather difficult to diagnose and treat.

Does chronic fatigue syndrome affect the immune system?

In people with chronic fatigue syndrome, the immune system can become compromised. This is because when chronic fatigue takes a hold of the body, it can lead to a prolonged immune response where none is needed. This results in the immune system attacking the body’s own healthy tissues.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is not an autoimmune disease per se, but it does share a significant amount of features with such conditions. Researchers believe that is affects the immune system in several ways, including the overproduction of cytokines; lowered ability of natural killer cells to defend against pathogens; and changes in T-cell activation.

Vital RX - depression
Image by Who Is Margot on Pixabay: Chronic fatigue is hard to diagnose, but people who suffer from the condition could benefit from thymosin alpha-1 treatment.

What is thymosin alpha-1?

Thymosin alpha-1 is a naturally occurring fragmented peptide. This means that is a smaller version of a protein molecule. It is made up of a 28-amino acid chain that is derived from a larger protein known as prothymosin α. It is created in tissues throughout the body, the most notable being the thymus gland.

Peptides such as thymosin alpha-1 are microscopic, but play vital roles in how well the body functions. They are the regulators of a myriad of specific bodily functions. The regulation of T-cells and immune response is thymosin alpha-1’s specific function. The thymus gland plays a big role in T-cell health as they grow; when they reach maturity, thymosin alpha-1 acts a cell signaler for the T-cells so that they know when to fight off pathogens.

What does thymosin do in the body?

Researchers have found many important processes can be affected by thymosin alpha-1. As mentioned above, one of the peptide’s biggest roles is to regulate and cell-signal for proper functioning of the immune system. It does this by directly affecting the action of the innate immune system in response to pathogens. It also regulates both the adaptive immune responses and the inflammatory response. The release of thymosin alpha-1 has been shown to increase lymphocytes to help the body ward off illness.

Thymosin alpha-1 also has the ability to heighten the body’s chances at fighting off infection. In one particular study on the effects of the peptide against COVID-19, researchers found that it could significantly reduce the risk of mortality of the viral infection by restoring T-cell numbers and reversing T-cell exhaustion.

Other conditions that have seen benefit from the use of thymosin alpha include:

  • Hepatitis B and C
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Some forms of cancer
  • Autoimmunity
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Lyme disease
  • DiGeorge’s syndrome

For many conditions that require a boost in the immune function, thymosin alpha-1 has been an effective supplemental treatment.

Vital RX - immune cells
Image by Swift Science Writing on Pixabay: Immune cells are designed to fight off infection, but sometimes they need a little boost to do their job properly.

What are the benefits of taking a thymosin alpha-1 supplement? 

Because thymosin alpha-1 can help regulate and boost both immune and inflammatory processes, the benefits of supplementation can lead to a higher ability to fight off infection and avoid further illness.

When the peptide stimulates T-cells, it leads to an overall better response against viruses, bacteria, and tumor cells. It gives the immune response the boost it needs to become stronger against pathogens, which leads to a better immune function overall. It has also been shown to regulate inflammation caused by diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus, and erythematosus. Other studies have shown that the peptide has the ability to increase the efficacy of vaccinations by supporting its ability to keep infection at bay.

Overall, the benefits that can be achieved by taking thymosin alpha-1 include:

  • Strengthened immune system
  • Lowering of widespread inflammation
  • Increase in the number and efficacy of T-cells
  • Eradication of damaged and unhealthy cells to hinder multiplication
  • Prevention of the spreading of disease throughout the body
  • Aid in recovery from chronic fatigue
  • Protection against oxidative stress

Other promising research has shown thymosin alpha-1 to be effective in treating a wide variety of cancers, although more study into the area will need to be conducted in terms of what it lacks when it comes to tumor targeting.  

Is thymosin alpha-1 safe?

Thymosin has been used in the treatment of viral infections and immune disorders for over four decades, and it is generally considered to be a safe and effective supplement for boosting immune function, warding off illnesses, and improving the symptoms of other chronic conditions.

Vital RX’s Immune Health Subscription Box includes thymosin alpha-1 to help boost immune function. Without a properly functioning immune system, the body is susceptible to chronic disease, illness, and infection, so if your system needs a boost, supplementation might be the answer.

Featured image by Dimitrisvetsikas1969 on Pixabay

What Is DHEA Used For?

The human body is a well-oiled machine. All systems run symbiotically to help maintain optimal levels of health throughout a person’s life. There are certain things the body needs to be given to help keep those processes running up to par, such as vitamins and minerals, while other substances are produced naturally. One such hormone that the body creates all on its own is dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA.

This hormone is produced in the adrenal glands and lends a hand in the production of other hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. Natural levels of DHEA tend to decrease as the body ages – a factor that is thought to play a role in the development of certain chronic age-related ailments such as heart disease and depression. The depletion of naturally occurring DHEA starts around age 30 and continues throughout the rest of adulthood. 

Is DHEA a steroid?

DHEA is a steroid that acts as a precursor for hormone production. It is mostly produced by cholesterol, but can be created by the ovaries and testes in small amounts. Since it is the highest circulating steroid within the human body, it holds power over the production of various other important hormones.

What does DHEA do in the body?

As mentioned above, DHEA is responsible for helping the body to create different hormones. The brain is in control of the production of DHEA. A negative feedback message is sent to the brain when levels of DHEA begin to drop. When this occurs, the brain can essentially flip the switch back on so that DHEA can be produced in larger amounts when needed. When the levels return to where they need to be, that negative feedback message is turned off.

The levels of DHEA within the body control the levels of hormones; thus, it is used to help avoid hormonal imbalances that could lead to a variety of health problems. Many conditions can lead to disrupted hormone levels, and DHEA is the precursor designed to remedy that.

Vital RX - elderly people
Image by Bennett Tobias on Unsplash: Low levels of DHEA have been associated with the onset of osteoporosis.

What are the symptoms of low DHEA?

Since DHEA is an important part of hormone regulation and production, an imbalance can lead to various health conditions and issues. DHEA levels have the potential to be both too high and too low.

When DHEA levels are too high, symptoms can vary, and are generally worse in women. These symptoms include:

  • Lack of menstruation
  • Overgrowth of body and facial hair
  • Acne
  • Hair loss
  • Trouble conceiving
  • Deepening of the voice
  • Male pattern baldness
  • Adam’s apple

High levels of DHEA can also affect children, and may lead to the early development of pubic and underarm hair.

When DHEA levels are low, the resulting conditions and symptoms are considered more serious. Since DHEA levels decrease with age, several of the conditions associated with low DHEA levels can be seen as age-related. Illnesses that can develop due to low DHEA levels include:

If levels of DHEA are decreasing irregularly, it could mean that the body is experiencing other ailments, such as:

  • Damage to the adrenal glands and their function
  • Addison’s disease
  • Hypopituitarism

DHEA is a vital component when it comes to hormone health, and unbalanced levels can lead to serious health conditions if not addressed promptly.

What are the benefits of taking DHEA?

There is a lot of research surrounding DHEA and how increasing levels can attribute to overall health. Although DHEA is a naturally occurring hormone precursor, it can also be taken as a form of supplementation when levels begin to go down.

Some research has found that since lowered bone density is associated with low levels of DHEA, supplementation can lead to an improvement in bone density, especially as people age. It has been found to have a more effective result on women than it does on men, however.

Research has also shown that taking DHEA as a supplement can help increase strength and improve physical performance for older adults who may suffer from adrenal gland dysfunction. Studies have been contradictory when it comes to improving muscle mass or performance of people at any age, and most of the research has focused on older adults.

Another condition that DHEA may show promise in treating is depression. Studies have found that those suffering from mental illness without responding to other forms of treatment may find relief from symptoms by supplementing with DHEA. There is other evidence to suggest that too-high levels of DHEA can exacerbate symptoms of depression in middle-aged women, though more research is needed to come to a distinct conclusion.   

Since DHEA plays a role in the creation of the male and female sex hormones, it has also been shown to help improve sexual function, libido, and fertility.

Adrenal fatigue or other issues with the proper functioning of the adrenal glands could also benefit from the use of a DHEA supplement. When the adrenal glands are not functioning as they should, people can experience chronic fatigue, weakness, and blood pressure changes. Research has found that taking DHEA as a supplement in those with adrenal insufficiency can lead to an overall improved quality of life for those who suffer from the condition.

Vital RX - mental illness
Image by Sydney Sims on Unsplash: One of the benefits of DHEA could be the ability to help curb depression symptoms.

How long does DHEA take to work?

Taking DHEA supplements can help improve adrenal insufficiency and lead to a better quality of life. Dosing tends to be around 25–50 mg a day and it has been found to be safe and effective for a period of up to two years. Changes in symptoms are generally experienced within four months of the first dose, but changes can occur in a shorter or longer timeframe, as people response differently to supplementation.

Depending on your current state of health, DHEA may be the right supplement for you. It is always best to speak to your doctor about new supplementation prior to beginning a regimen. Vital RX’s Fitness and Energy Subscription boxes both contain DHEA to help aid in adrenal health and the regulation of hormones for overall wellness.

Featured image by Paweł Czerwiński on Unsplash

What Is The Goal Of Lifestyle Medicine?

Health is the most important thing a person can have, but in today’s convenience-based world, it can also be one of the easiest things to take for granted. Modern society has the majority of the American population moving less due to sedentary work, eating more processed foods that lead to inflammation and chronic disease, and dealing with unprecedented levels of stress and mental health issues.

Traditional forms of medicine tackle these issues with treatments after the fact. Traditional medicine treats rather than prevents, and often hopes for the best in cases of serious illness. But lifestyle medicine is a different form of health care altogether, and its big goal is to prevent health problems entirely before they come to fruition.

What is lifestyle medicine?

Lifestyle medicine is a form of health care that operates under the umbrella of a few different processes. The first part of lifestyle medicine revolves around diet. The diet of the typical American citizen is full of processed foods that offer little to no nutritional value, and often contains high levels of sugar, carbs, and salt. Lifestyle medicine aims to change this into a wholefood, plant-predominant diet so that the body is being fueled with nothing but what it needs.

Lifestyle medicine also has a heavy focus on regular exercise routines that ensure people are moving as much as they should be. Another big focus area is sleep and stress. Since busy schedules and high-stress lives are commonplace for Americans, lifestyle medicine encourages stress management and restorative sleep as a key component in the way people take care of themselves.

Finally, lifestyle medicine also aims to have people establish positive social connections within their community while avoiding harmful substances.

How does lifestyle medicine differ from traditional medicine?

As mentioned, traditional medicine does not usually take a proactive approach to one’s health. Certain measures that could be considered traditional do act as preventative measures, such as cancer screenings and the encouragement of healthy lifestyle, but they tend to fall on the second tier of health care.

Lifestyle medicine is the complete opposite end of the spectrum. Its entire goal is to create a healthy population not through advancement of medications or other technologies that can help treat disease, but through the elimination, reversal, or prevention of disease altogether. Since many chronic diseases can be prevented, lifestyle medicine aims to arm the population with the knowledge they need to avoid getting sick in the first place.

Vital RX - nutritious food
Image by EllaOlsson on Unsplash: Eating healthily is one of the six pillars of lifestyle medicine.

What are the pillars of lifestyle medicine?

There are 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine, all of which play a specific role in the prevention of disease and in the attempt to sustain healthy living well into old age. They are:

1. Healthy eating

By choosing a diet that is full of nutrients the body needs to function at its best, a person can avoid certain health conditions that can be brought on by nutritional imbalances.

2. Increased physical activity

Many jobs and lifestyles involve people sitting at their desk or on the couch for long hours. This level of sedentary living is not healthy for any individual. If a person is not exercising adequately, it can lead to many health issues.

3. Strategies to manage stress

Stress can put a huge burden on bodily processes and lead to a wide variety of different health conditions, such as cognitive disfunction and psychiatric disorders. Stress management is a key part of lifestyle medicine because dealing with stress properly can help lower the risk for these conditions.

4. Improvement of sleep

The brain needs to sleep to help the brain process the events of the day and the body repair itself. When a person doesn’t get adequate sleep, it can lead to a decline in overall levels of wellness, including cardiovascular health and immune function. Lifestyle medicine aims to improve sleep to avoid these complications.

5. Avoidance of risky substances

As much as lifestyle medicine is about giving your body what it needs, it is also about avoiding what it doesn’t need. Things such as alcohol and drug use should be avoided to help prevent disease in the future.  

6. Formation of good relationships

People need others to help them get through life, and research has shown that healthy relationships have a direct impact on overall levels of wellness.

When used in conjunction with one another, these six pillars of lifestyle medicine can lead to optimal health and a lowered risk for developing chronic health issues in the future.

Vital RX - mental health
Image by Keegan Houser on Unsplash: Stress management is another pillar of lifestyle medicine that can go a long way when it comes to warding off chronic disease.

What is a lifestyle medicine doctor?

Any medically licensed doctor can practice lifestyle medicine, but that doesn’t mean all of them are properly equipped to do so. A true lifestyle medicine doctor is well versed in the areas of health coaching and nutrition, and takes the time to understand a patient’s personal situation in order to address all the things that may be contributing to the onset of chronic disease.

Studies suggest that five out of the seven major causes of death in the United States can be attributed to lifestyle-related diseases. Lifestyle medicine doctors are there to help lower those statistics through the use of different techniques and coaching practices, as well as collaboration with other health care professionals and their patients.

What are the benefits of lifestyle medicine?

Lifestyle medicine holds many benefits, the most obvious being a better level of overall and optimal health. Taking care of oneself using the six pillars of lifestyle medicine can lead to an increased lifespan and a better quality of life.

Featured image by Simon Maage on Unsplash

How To Avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) This Winter

As the seasons change, different types of health conditions become more prevalent. In spring, many people suffer from heightened allergies, while in summer, those with asthma may experience worsened symptoms, and winter poses a bigger threat for the spread of the flu.

The beginning of fall is generally the prime time for Seasonal Affective Disorder, otherwise known as SAD, to come into effect. But what exactly is SAD? And is there anything you can do to combat symptoms if you suffer from the condition?

What is SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mental health issue that appears when the colder weather begins to roll around. It is not considered to be its own entity, but rather a form of depression that occurs seasonally, at the same time every year. In cases of SAD, depression symptoms tend to go into remission during other seasons of the year and return again like clockwork when autumn begins.

SAD leads to mood changes that generally have a person feeling down for an extended period of time. It can sometimes affect people in the spring or summer, but mostly occurs in the fall and winter months. This has led to the disorder being referred to as winter depression, or the “winter blues”.

General feelings of sadness can occur naturally when the cold weather starts to hit and the year winds down. Such feelings are not generally considered a case of SAD, but when mood changes begin to affect daily activities in a negative way, it’s more likely to be considered Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is generally recurrent in individuals who suffer from the condition; it doesn’t just happen over the course of one seasonal change, but rather every year around the same time.

Vital RX - SAD
Image by freestocks on Unsplash: Less daylight is one of the main reasons researchers believe people develop SAD.

How does SAD affect you?

Since SAD is a type of major depression that only occurs for four or five months out of the year, the symptoms tend to present the same as they would in someone with year-round depression. Those who suffer from depression at all points of the year tend to experience symptoms that may or may not appear in those with SAD.

The typical symptoms of depression include:

  • Feelings of extreme sadness and hopelessness, and depressive thoughts
  • Losing interest in hobbies or other activities that you used to enjoy
  • Appetite changes and weight fluctuations
  • Sleep interruptions
  • Feeling short-tempered or sluggish
  • Depleted energy levels
  • Cognitive difficulties such as problems with focus and concentration
  • In serious cases, thoughts of suicide or death

For those with SAD, other symptoms may take hold. They also differ depending on the time of the year SAD sets in and vary on a person-by-person basis. Typical symptoms that occur in people suffering from winter SAD include:

  • Hypersomnia or oversleeping
  • Overeating with a high focus on carbohydrates 
  • Weight gain caused by overeating
  • Feelings of wanting to hibernate and withdraw socially

The symptoms of summer-induced SAD are different than those experienced in the winter months. They include:

  • Insomnia
  • Weight loss and decreased or poor appetite
  • Restlessness and agitation, which may lead to violent behavior
  • Increased levels of anxiety

To get a diagnosis, one must describe their symptoms and the pattern of their symptoms to a mental health professional to determine if SAD is the cause behind their mood changes.

How long does SAD last and who does it usually affect?

Depending on the person, SAD generally lasts anywhere from four to five months. Once the seasons begin to change again, symptoms tend to dissipate. Some research suggests that SAD is caused by changes in the amount of daylight one gets. In winter-onset SAD, the lack of sunlight contributes, while in the less common summer-onset SAD, the culprit is the presence of too much sunlight.

Young women with a family history of depression are generally most at risk for the illness, as well as those who live far away from the equator. The risk for developing SAD tends to decrease as people get older.

Vital RX - seasonal depression
Image by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash: Many people with winter-onset SAD socially withdraw, like a form of hibernation.

How do you fight SAD?

Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder can be tough, but there are ways to cope with the mood changes and symptoms that come along with seasonal depression. One of the best ways to combat SAD is through the use of light therapy. This therapy is performed using a bright light that is meant to mimic the natural light of the morning hours. If used in within the first hour of waking for at least 40 minutes, light therapy can be shown to improve mood by changing levels of brain chemicals.

Other forms of treatment include antidepressant medications or psychotherapy sessions to help improve symptoms. Some natural forms of treatment include mind-body connection activities such as yoga, meditation, guided imagery, and music and art therapy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder affects around 4–6% of people seriously, while a mild form of the illness can affect up to 20% of Americans every year. The people affected are generally located throughout the northern part of the country, where weather changes are more prevalent. Although the symptoms of SAD can sometimes be debilitating, knowing the right ways to combat them can mean all the difference when it comes to coping with a recurring case of the winter blues.

Featured image by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

10 Supplements That Will Improve Your Fitness Levels

Often when people think of fitness, they think of exercise. Many people don’t realize how much nutrition has to do with how well the body can handle physical activity and how stamina levels are affected by what someone eats or doesn’t eat.

The modern diet is often lacking in the proper amounts of essential vitamins and minerals the body needs to participate in and maintain optimal fitness levels. That is why many people turn to dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance. Taking supplements to help boost your fitness levels can be a helping hand on the road to a better level of athleticism, but it’s important to know which supplements are best for you. Below we’ll take a look at 10 particular supplements that will improve your fitness levels.

Should you take workout supplements?

As previously mentioned, supplementation is designed to do just that: supplement. It is not a replacement for healthy eating, nor should it be treated as such. However, as people age and the body begins to slow production of certain nutrients or lose the ability to process and store others, supplementing certain vitamins and minerals is entirely necessary, regardless of diet.

The same can be said for those wanting to up their fitness performance. It is also worth noting that you will not reach optimal levels of muscle gain if your diet is not where it should be, so supplementation should follow diet if you want to live up to your full fitness potential. For example, if you’re working out to gain muscle but your body is breaking down more protein than you consume, you aren’t likely to see much difference.

Vital RX - strength
Image by Sabine Mondestin on Pixabay: Building muscle requires enough protein, or else workout efforts could be fruitless.

What supplements should I take if I just started working out?

Starting a new workout routine can be difficult, even if diet is up to par. The body has to get used to moving more than it used to and it can be tough to get into a good physical routine that is both challenging and feasible in terms of your current state of health.

Two of the most commonly used supplements by fitness enthusiasts are branched chain amino acids and protein. As mentioned, taking protein is a great start because your body needs it to build muscle, and studies have shown it to be effective in long-term muscle building.

You’ll also want to invest in some branched chain amino acids, as muscle also needs a good level of BCAAs to induce protein synthesis. In the event that you have a hard time getting going, you can also take something for a pre-workout jolt, such as caffeine or a pre-workout blend that contains both caffeine and carbohydrates.

Dietary supplements for exercise and athletic performance

There is a myriad of different health supplements that can help encourage overall fitness levels aside by encouraging the growth of lean muscle mass.

1. Vitamin D3

Some research has found that being deficient in vitamin D can hinder athletic performance greatly, and that those with adequate levels were able to improve performance during fitness testing in comparison to those without adequate levels.

2. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is needed in the creation of red blood cells, which help to transport oxygen where it needs to go. Without adequate levels of oxygen in the body, physical fitness will suffer greatly. 

3. DHEA

Bone health is important when it comes to fitness, because healthier bones lead to increased ability to participate in different workout routines. DHEA was found to boost bone health, making it easier to work out effectively.

4. Synapsin

Research has found that regular exercise can increase synapsin levels within the body, thus leading to elevated levels of protein.

5. G.A.C.

Otherwise known as glutamine, arginine, and carnitine, this group of amino acids gives the body energy by converting glycogen. This can aid fitness levels due to helping the body return to a healthy body weight, increasing stamina, and improving circulation. It has also been shown to prevent muscle loss.

6. MK-677

This active nonpeptide has been shown to encourage fat-free mass in weight loss efforts, thus leading to greater physical fitness overall.

Vital RX - fish oil supplement
Image by Monicore on Pixabay: Fish oil is good for the brain, but did you know it can also improve fitness levels?

Best supplements for endurance athletes

To take endurance and stamina up a level, some supplements stand out more than others. The following are thought to improve athletic performance when taken regularly.

7. Fish oil

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help increase overall endurance levels by improving neuromotor functions. The ingredient that is thought to be the biggest driver is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). One study on female soccer players found that it could have a positive impact on reaction time as well as precision and efficiency.

8. Creatine

Creatine is one of the most popular supplements for physical fitness because of the effects it has on building muscle and overall levels of strength. It is naturally occurring in the body and gives cells energy to keep moving.

Many studies have found that the use of creatine supplements during an exercise regimen can significantly increase the body’s ability to gain muscle, increase levels of strength and fat-free mass, and improve physical performance.

9. Beta alanine

Typically used during high-intensity workouts, this particular supplement has been shown to delay muscle fatigue and improve stamina. When it comes to endurance exercises, beta-alanine can help you go the extra mile.

10. Sodium phosphate

Sodium phosphate is more commonly used a food preservative; however, studies have shown that the supplement can lead to an increase in red blood cells’ ability to transfer oxygen throughout the body, thus reducing tiredness levels and increasing stamina.

Taking supplements that will improve your fitness levels could be the boost you need to stay on track with your physical goals. Vital RX’s Fitness Subscription Box contains many of the aforementioned ingredients to help you boost your overall levels of physical fitness and get on the road to a healthier you.

Featured image by StockSnap on Pixabay

Everything You Need To Know About Peptide AOD-9604

Being overweight or obese can lead to a myriad of health conditions. It can also heighten the risk of developing other diseases as you age. A healthy body weight is ideal for overall health, but it can be hard to achieve for a multitude of reasons. Genetics, medications, and lifestyle habits all play a role in levels of obesity among the American population.

When it comes to losing weight, fad diets tend to be the go-to for many people, but they often come with other health concerns. Losing weight is a difficult task for anyone, but armored with the right knowledge, it doesn’t have to be. Eating right and exercising is the best way to shed pounds, but adding certain supplementation to your regimen can aid in quicker and healthier weight loss. Below we’ll take a look at one such supplement that can help with fat loss. Here’s everything you need to know about peptide AOD-9604.

What is peptide AOD-9604?

Peptide AOD-9604 is a peptide fragment of the human growth hormone; specifically, of the C-terminus. The C-terminus falls at the end of an amino acid chain and aids in protein translation from RNA. AOD-9604 has the ability to aid in weight loss by harboring the fat loss activity of the human growth hormone.

The human growth hormone plays a vital role in many bodily processes, but for adults, its most crucial role is in metabolism. When it comes to weight loss, the human growth hormone aids in the breaking down of fats in the form of triglycerides, which can then be used by the body as energy.

The human growth hormone was once considered as a potential treatment for obesity; however, adverse side effects such as insulin resistance, diabetes, cancer, edema, and hypertension were present, and it was rendered an unsuitable form of treatment in the long term.

Vital RX - working out
Image by Kate Trysh on Unsplash: AOD-9604 can be used to help build muscle and repair cartilage without causing the same adverse side effects experienced while using the human growth hormone.

How does AOD-9604 work?

The lipid metabolism is in charge of how the body uses and stores fat within its cells. It involves synthetization of both types of lipids (structural and functional), and determines how much fat becomes stored and how much is expended by way of cell signaling from the brain. When the brain tells fat cells to release their energy stores, also known as fatty acid molecules, the rest of the body takes them from the bloodstream to use as energy when there is none left by other means.

The AOD-9604 peptide can be used to encourage weight loss by stimulating the same fat-into-energy process initiated by the human growth hormone, having a direct effect on lipid metabolism. Some AOD-9604 studies on animals have found that the peptide can encourage an overall reduction of fat without affecting appetite by stimulating lipolysis and discouraging the process of lipogenesis.

Human clinical trial studies on the peptide have found that the other adverse side effects that occurred using the human growth hormone molecule as a form of weight loss treatment were not present when using AOD-9604.

What is AOD in bodybuilding?

The human growth hormone has long been hailed as a muscle builder because of its anabolic effects. It speeds up the healing process and repairs muscle tissue after long bouts of strenuous exercise. It has been known to be a direct component in the increase of overall muscle mass and reduction of fat.

The peptide AOD-9604 can be used to help regulate the body’s metabolism, which can then lend a hand in overall reduction of fat. When it comes to fitness and bodybuilding, AOD-9604 can have similar effects that the human growth hormone does on building muscle mass and the regeneration of cartilage.

Is AOD-9604 safe to use?

Since AOD-9604 is a fragmented form of the human growth hormone, it has been deemed to be a safe and effective alternative supplement for both weight loss and increasing lean muscle mass. Studies have shown that it causes no adverse side effects on the carbohydrate metabolism or appetite. It also doesn’t lead to changes in levels of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), whereas the human growth hormone has been shown to have an effect on these levels.

The promising results from such studies have painted a hopeful picture when it comes to using the peptide for fat loss. It has been shown to target stubborn areas that even diet and exercise can sometimes leave behind because of its lipolysis effects.

Vital RX - nutrition
Image by Jan Sedivy on Unsplash: How does AOD-9604 work for weight loss? When used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, AOD-9604 can lead to significant weight loss in stubborn areas.

Where to buy AOD-9604

Peptide therapy is becoming very popular as more research comes to light on what it can do to help encourage the proper functioning of all bodily processes. In the United States, AOD-9604 has received approval from the FDA and is now legally sold as a food supplement in many places.

AOD-9604 is sold in vials and can be purchased from places ranging from health-based medical centers to online stores with approval from the FDA. The best way to purchase AOD-9604 is through a trusted and reputable site that has done its research and sources quality ingredients for its supplements.

Vital RX’s AOD-9604 peptide comes included in the Fat Loss Subscription Box. All ingredients in Vital RX’s formulated combinational supplement packages are carefully curated by a team of highly knowledgeable medical professionals.

Weight loss can be difficult, but with the right products and the right support, it doesn’t have to be. Click here for more information on what’s in the Vital RX Fat Loss Subscription Box and the other subscription boxes available.

Featured image by I Yunmai on Unsplash

What Is The Longevity Gene And Can We Hack It?

As soon as life begins, the body begins the aging process. It’s a natural human process that everyone experiences. As people age, biological, psychological, and physiological changes occur. Some of these changes aren’t health risks, but others contribute to age-related health disorders.

It isn’t until adulthood that the aging process begins to lead to the deterioration of many organs, such as the brain. Research on exactly when the decline of cognitive function begins as in relation to aging is mixed, with some studies suggesting it begins as early as 27 while others say somewhere around 45 is more accurate. This is just one measurement of aging, as the process occurs within all cells, organs, and bodily systems.

Longevity isn’t part of the aging process, but rather the result of how quickly it occurs on a person-by-person basis. Some people age more slowly than others in many regards, while others aren’t as lucky. Longevity isn’t only dependent on the natural aging process, but also on other factors including genetics, environment, and lifestyle.

Longevity genes and aging

Researchers across the globe have been working tirelessly to find the secret to aging so that they might slow or even stop the process altogether. As it turns out, there is one specific gene that could lead to new discoveries in the anti-aging department. The gene in question is called SIRT6. Its role within the body is to assist in DNA repair through the organization and recruitment of both enzymes and proteins.

The gene itself has a range of potencies. Those with a stronger SIRT6 will live longer, while the opposite is true for those with a weaker version of the same gene. For example, mice have far less potency in their longevity gene than humans, whereas a bowhead whale is thought to have an even stronger SIRT6 than humans because of its impressive lifespan.

Age-related chronic diseases can also be a huge issue during the natural aging cycle, as they severely affect quality of life. The simple act of aging leads to heightened risk for developing chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Since SIRT6 plays a role in DNA repair, some studies have found that the levels and potency of SIRT6 could be a contributing factor to neurodegenerative age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Vital RX - brain
Image by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash: The human brain relies on the longevity gene to support it in the battle against cognitive decline.

Longevity: genetics vs. lifestyle

Genetics play a major role in the aging process, as well as the development of chronic diseases that could lead to increased risk of developing age-related conditions. But lifestyle is also a vital component when understanding how aging works and why not everyone ages at the same succession. 

Things such as the food a person eats, how well and often they exercise, and their avoidance of unhealthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes will all influence the aging process. All these factors are vital when it comes to biological age (how old your body is in the aging process) over chronological age (how many years you have been alive).

Both genetics and lifestyle have an effect on how a person ages, but research has shown that the role of lifestyle is much bigger than genetics. Studies using twins have found that genetics is likely only a small piece of the puzzle when it comes to aging, and that although the SIRT6 gene plays a vital role in the aging process, lifestyle factors are the big thing to watch for when keeping the gene functioning at its best and curbing the aging process for as long as possible.

Can NAD+ reverse aging?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is found in all cells within the body and is a cofactor in metabolism function. It also contributes to the way the body regulates cellular function by acting as an assistant for proteins. Studies have shown that when levels of NAD+ are depleted, the risk of developing an age-related disease is greatly heightened.

Other studies have begun to research whether the effects of NAD+ could be even greater, in the sense that elevated levels of NAD+ could actually slow the aging process down. More research is needed in this department; studies have only found NAD+ to be effective in rodent trials, and only small-scale human trials have been done, which do not provide sufficient evidence to support that it can slow the aging process.

Synapsins and aging

Neurotransmitters are the messengers that allow the body to communicate on a cellular level. They are chemicals that are released and sent to synapses, the areas where nerve cells connect to receive messages from one another. Synapsins are proteins that help to regulate this process of communication. Aging can have a negative effect on this process, thus leading to synaptic dysfunction.

When neurotransmissions aren’t functioning as they should, problems can arise that lead to lowered cognitive function. This directly affects the aging process, because cognitive decline is a symptom of many age-related diseases.

Vital RX - healthy food
Image by Anna Pelzer on Unsplash: Is it possible to prolong life? A healthy diet is one of the easiest lifestyle habits to adopt to help ‘hack’ the body into staying younger for longer.

Is it possible to prolong life?

Considering lifestyle factors and the longevity gene, it is plausible to prolong life with healthy living practices and supplementation. Beyond the natural lifespan of humans, though, it’s still up for debate whether or not NAD+ or the addition of synapsin can lead to more years of life. They can, however, improve quality of life and help to decrease the risk of developing age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Featured image by Antevasin Nguyen on Unsplash

How NAD+ Affects The Energy Metabolism

The body relies on a symbiotic set of processes for optimal health. When all systems are working together, the body runs smoothly. When they do not, chronic health issues can arise, such as fatigue and inflammation.

The metabolism is the system that converts nutrients from food into energy, and it relies heavily on NAD+ to help it function properly. NAD+ helps by activating sirtuins, which are proteins that contribute to the regulation of cellular health. It also assists with metabolic function by encouraging mitochondrial fitness and essentially rewiring the metabolism to function as it should. But what is NAD+, exactly? Let’s find out more about this compound and how NAD+ affects the energy metabolism.

Vital RX - lab
Image by Jaron Nix on Unsplash: NAD+ is a coenzyme molecule that is required for many processes within the body.

What is NAD+?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a chemical compound within the body that works to support the health of cells. It is classified as a dinucleotide because it consists of two nucleotides joined through phosphate groups, with one containing an adenine base while the other contains nicotinamide.

Vitamin B3 is considered to be a precursor to NAD+. When the vitamin is converted into NAD+ it contributes to the process of converting food into energy, repairing DNA, strengthening cell defense, and regulating circadian rhythm. It is not difficult to get enough vitamin B3 for NAD+ biosynthesis, and it’s been found that less than 20 mg of niacin per day is enough to keep up with the body’s demand.

In people with deficiencies of vitamin B3, NAD+ levels can suffer. However, there are a few other substrates for NAD+ pathways that can help stimulate synthesis, including the amino acid tryptophan, nicotinamide riboside, and nicotinamide mononucleotide.

While the body ages, levels of NAD+ decline, thus making a person more susceptible to age-related conditions and other health issues that can arise when the metabolism isn’t at its best. Some conditions that have been linked to declining levels of NAD+ in the body include heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Why is NAD+ so important?

Cells need both hydrogen and electrons to produce and store energy. NAD+ is the molecule that carries electrons and hydrogen to the cells so that the process of creating energy can continue through its reduced form known as NADH. NADH is the molecule that takes electrons from NAD+ and then gives them to other cells so that they can perform cellular processes. Without NAD+ and other electron carriers within the body, the cells would not be able to produce and store the energy, leading to fatigue on a cellular level.

In terms of other cellular processes such as DNA damage repair, NAD+ is needed to help restore healthy levels of DNA. If the body becomes depleted of NAD+, as it does with age, DNA cannot be repaired as it should be. It can also become depleted in cases of obesity or if the body is not receiving the required nutrients it needs. Metabolic disorders such as fatty liver disease and diabetes have been closely linked with depleted levels of NAD+. The good news is that if a person receives precursors of NAD+, optimal levels can be restored, which could help prevent metabolic diseases.

What is the role of NAD+ in metabolism?

NAD+ plays a vital role in oxidation reactions that contribute to metabolism. It is a contributing part of several different metabolism pathways, such as breaking down glucose for energy, oxidizing nutrients for optimal energy release, and the breakdown of fatty acids to produce energy. The energy metabolism is greatly affected by these processes, as it needs them to occur to help distribute energy throughout the entire body.

How do you raise your NAD+ levels?

The best way to ensure that you have optimal levels of NAD+ is by ingesting one of the precursors to aid in synthetization. Perhaps one of the most common nutritional supplements to take to help encourage NAD+ production is vitamin B3.

Human trials have found that increasing intake of vitamin B3 led to increased levels of NAD+ in muscles by three times the amount prior to taking the vitamin. Getting B3 through diet is the best way to utilize it as a NAD+ precursor; it can be found in high amounts in fish, peanuts, and avocados.

Some research has also shown that getting more exercise can increase levels of NAD+. This is because when the body uses more energy, it needs to create more. However, it should be noted that if there is not enough of a NAD+ precursor in the body to aid in the production of the molecule, exercising may not help to increase levels.

Vital RX - avocado
Image by Estudio Bloom on Unsplash: Avocados contain high levels of vitamin B3, which is needed to help synthesize NAD+, so eating more could help boost energy levels.

Does NAD+ give you energy?

Since NAD+ is a vital component to energy levels, it can be said that it helps the body create energy. The molecule itself doesn’t necessarily give you energy, though. It is needed for cellular processes that encourage the metabolism to function as it should, thus dispersing energy throughout the body.

Synapsins are proteins that help maintain healthy levels of NAD+, and thus are important for overall energy production. Vital RX’s Fitness and Energy Subscription boxes contain synapsin so that stores of NAD+ are kept at their most optimal, leading to an overall healthy level of energy and metabolic function. NAD+ is a key player in energy production, and keeping levels up can be as easy as adding a few things to your diet and supplementing with the right products.

Featured image by Aditya Saxena on Unsplash

The Importance Of Vitamin D3 In Immune Health

Immune health is a vital component of overall health. In fact, without the immune system functioning at its best, all other systems in the body would falter in the presence of pathogens that have made it through due to a lack of proper immune response. When the body is able to fight off infection properly, it leaves all the body’s other systems to do their respective jobs and maintain a consistent level of wellness.

Many vitamins play a role in immune health, but some are more important than others. For example, vitamin C is often hailed as a great immune booster, but it’s not the be-all-end-all when it comes to keeping immune function running as it should. Vitamin D3 is one such vitamin that is a great immune assistant, but doesn’t get talked about as often as it should when it comes to the vitamins that keep the body’s defenses up to par.

What is the role of vitamin D in the immune system?

Vitamin D has a direct role to play in bone homeostasis and the way the body absorbs calcium, but that’s not the only thing it can do. Studies have shown that the nutrient can also help regulate both the innate and adaptive immune responses in the body by acting as an autocrine signaler for B and T cells and antigen-presenting cells.  

When it comes to protective immunity, vitamin D has been shown to be a great assistant. Prior to the use of antibiotics on tuberculosis, some patients were seeing great improvements in their conditions after exposure to sunlight. Doctors had assumed that sunlight killed TB; however, it is now thought that the increase in vitamin D levels was the catalyst for healing.

It has also been found that a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to increased risk for developing autoimmunity, the process that occurs when the body signals an immune response to its own cells that pose no threat. Not having enough vitamin D can also lead to a higher risk of frequent infections. 

Vital RX - bone health
Image by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash: Vitamin D is especially important in bone health because of its ability to increase calcium and phosphorous absorption.

What are the benefits of vitamin D?

Vitamin D isn’t just good for bone health and the immune system. According to studies, the vitamin can actually help ward off further diseases, including decreasing the risk of developing heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and the flu. It has also been shown to help fibromyalgia patients manage their symptoms.

Those who suffer from depression may also see an improvement in their symptoms if they increase their levels of vitamin D. Research has shown that the nutrient acts as a mood regulator, and that those who took vitamin D supplements during treatment for their mental illness saw a higher reduction in negative symptoms than those who did not. Vitamin D deficiency is also common in those who suffer from anxiety.

Another novel benefit of vitamin D is weight loss. One study found that weight loss group participants were able to see a larger reduction in weight when they added both calcium and vitamin D supplements to their regimen. It was suggested that this is because the supplements acted as appetite suppressants, leading to less consumed calories and more weight lost.

Does vitamin D help with illness?

As mentioned above, vitamin D holds a myriad of different health benefits when it comes to illnesses such as declining mental health, heart disease, and the common flu. This is due to its ability to help activate immune markers and keep the body free of pathogens.

In the current state of the COVID-era world, ensuring the body has enough vitamin D has never been more important, primarily due to its ability to keep the immune response functioning as it should. In terms of common illnesses such as colds and flu, many studies have evidenced the role of vitamin D as both a preventative method as well as a treatment. Other chronic health issues could also benefit from vitamin D, including heart disease, certain cancers, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes.

How much vitamin D should I take for immune system health?

The amount of vitamin D you take for your immune system will be entirely dependent on your current levels. It’s always important to assess how much you need prior to beginning a new supplementation plan. That being said, there are general amounts that can be taken to ensure that you’re getting enough and not becoming vitamin D deficient.

For adults, between 600 to 800 IU per day should be an adequate amount, whereas children would need between 400 and 600 IU per day. Those deficient in the nutrient may need to begin with more supplementation to return to healthy levels. For people with bone health disorders, more vitamin D may be needed to ensure that calcium and phosphorous are being absorbed thoroughly enough to manage symptoms.

Vital RX - cold and flu
Image by Brittany Colette on Unsplash: Vitamin D can help ward off common illnesses such as the cold and flu.

The Immune Health Subscription Box

The Vital RX Immune Health Subscription Box is equipped with high-quality ingredients to help ensure your immune health stays up to par throughout the winter months and all year round. The inclusion of Vitamin D3 in the Immune Health box was carefully considered by our team of doctors to give the immune system the extra boost it needs.

Vitamin D is a vital component to overall bone and immune health, and can even keep infection and chronic illness at bay. The best way to avoid deficiency is by ensuring you get the recommended daily dosage every single day.

Featured image by Jude Beck on Unsplash

What’s Included In Our Fat Loss Subscription Box (And Why)

Fad dieting has been a huge part of world culture since the late 1800s when English undertaker William Banting started the very first trend in weight loss—the low-carb diet. His diet became so popular that the entire world started referring to losing weight as “banting”. The first weight loss pill was also created in the late 1800s and was derived using a thyroid extract to help increase metabolic rate. The side effects were more than unpleasant, and could even lead to death, but that didn’t stop people from using the supplement for decades following its creation.

Although things haven’t changed much in the realm of pop culture and dieting, the sheer amount of scientific evidence discovered since then has given people different ways to lose weight in a healthy manner so that they can avoid the complications that may arise from being obese, or from taking products that can lead to adverse reactions. The research that has gone into weight loss supplementation is vast, and has led to an increase in ways to aid diet efforts for those who want to be and feel healthier.

Vital RX - fat loss subscription box
Image by Jarmoluk on Pixabay: Visceral fat is the type of fat that sits around the vital organs within the abdomen. It is a bigger threat to health than subcutaneous fat.

Peptides for weight loss

The use of peptides for weight loss began when researchers discovered that peptides can target fat cells the same way they do other cells within the body. Since losing weight requires a string of different lifestyle changes and the influence of a host of different systems in the body, peptides have grown popular in the fight against obesity.

Vital RX has created one of the best subscription boxes for weight loss by enlisting experienced doctors and high-quality ingredients, including the following:

AOD-9604

The peptide AOD-9604 is said to have positive effects on weight loss efforts. The peptide is the synthetic form of human growth hormone (HGH). HGH is a small protein that works within the body to speed up the lipolysis process. When this happens, the body is more likely to shed unwanted pounds by reducing fat stores.

AOD-9604 also has the ability to decrease appetite and encourage the release of stored fat from cells throughout the body. It is one of the best peptides for belly fat reduction because of its ability to decrease levels of visceral fat. Some evidence suggests that AOD-9604 is one of, if not the best peptide for fat loss.

Ibutamoren Mesylate (MK-677)

Categorized as an active nonpeptide, MK-677 acts as a growth hormone secretagogue. This means that the peptide itself is responsible for the secretion of growth hormone into the bloodstream. It does this by stimulating the release of HGH from the glands through both the pituitary and hypothalamic hormone receptors.

Studies have found that the oral use of MK-677 can increase the levels of HGH, thus leading to an overall reduction in weight. MK-677 has also been proven to help improve overall physical health when it comes to bone density and an increase in fat-free mass. It can also help to improve sleep and cognitive function, as well as physical energy and stamina, making the process of losing weight easier.

MIC Combo Blend

The MIC Combo Blend in Vital RX’s Fat Loss Subscription Box is a form of lipotropic injection. Lipotropics are used to help break down fat by way of the metabolism. These compounds target the liver’s ability to break down fat, and some research claims that they can aid in the speed and efficiency of the metabolism. Lipotropics generally contain more than one fat-burning ingredient. The most common ingredients in lipotropic injections include:

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 aids in energy levels and helps to keep red blood cells at optimal health to avoid conditions such as anemia.

Methionine

Methionine is an amino acid with a key job in keeping the metabolism functioning at its best.

Inositol

Inositol is a natural sugar. It can help the body to metabolize fats and improve the function of the body’s insulin.

Choline

Playing an important role in metabolism and other cell functions such as membrane structure, choline is an essential nutrient that is added to lipotropic injections to increase the body’s ability to burn fat.

Multicomplete 360

To round off one of the best subscription boxes for weight loss, Vital RX has added a multivitamin with all the essential vitamins and nutrients needed when diet alone is not enough to get recommended daily values. It is both gluten-free and vegetarian, so it can be taken by anyone. Although some nutrients are more important than others when it comes to weight loss, all are required for the body to work as it should, and when the body has everything it needs to function properly, a healthy weight is not as hard to obtain.

Vital RX - supplements
Image by Ajale on Pixabay: Vital RX’s proven weight loss peptide supplement box is backed by science and can help you in your journey towards a healthy body weight.

Weight loss can be easy for some and difficult for others. There is never a one-size-fits all fad diet that can help someone healthily lose their unwanted pounds and keep it off. Lifestyle changes, such as an improved diet full of whole foods and a good amount of exercise, are the most important factors when it comes to being at an overall healthy weight.

For those with chronic conditions that lead to weight gain, losing weight and keeping it off can be difficult. That is why supplementation is always a good addition to any weight loss journey. Each ingredient in the Vital RX Fat Loss Subscription Box will be dose-dependent, so you can be sure you’re getting everything you need in the right amount to help you on your road to optimal health.

Featured image by Happy Vegan Fit on Pixabay

What’s Included In Our Fitness Subscription Box (And Why)

Being physically unfit can lead to a myriad of different health problems. Cardiovascular and respiratory health is highly dependent on physical fitness to be at its best. The strength and amount of muscle you have on your body will also determine how well you’re able to move, and function.

When fitness isn’t up to par, all of your systems can suffer – and when that happens, the body gets sick. It’s inevitable, because each system relies heavily on the other and they all require movement to function properly.

As many as 80% of Americans are lacking when it comes to getting adequate exercise. Due to modern-day sedentary lifestyles, moving enough can be a real challenge for most people, whether due to time constraints or physical inability due to chronic disease. For those who want to step up their fitness game, supplementation may be required to help get moving and back to optimal health.

Vital RX - fitness subscription box
Image by Derick McKinney on Unsplash: Many people opt for protein shakes because of their proven ability to help build muscle following intense workouts.

What supplements should I take for fitness?

Whether you are the type who enjoys minimal physical activity or someone who works out an hour a day, supplementation can be a great help on the road to true physical fitness. Not all supplements are created equal, though, and some can be of much greater benefit for those who want to move more in their daily lives.

For building muscle, many people opt for protein supplements because protein has been shown to help increase muscle mass. Other supplements people choose to take while taking on a fitness routine include:

Creatine

Popular among athletes and sports scientists, creatine is used as a pre-workout supplement to help increase performance, muscle mass, and overall strength.

Beta-alanine

Beta-alanine is an amino acid taken by people who work out regularly to help fight off dreaded muscle tiredness, although its efficacy in improving exercise ability over long periods of time may be lesser than the typical boost it gives during short bursts of exercise.

Citrulline

Another amino acid that’s popular among fitness enthusiasts is citrulline. It’s naturally produced in the body but is taken as a supplement to increase levels for better exercise performance due to increased oxygen flow.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs)

BCAAs include three very important molecules that help in overall exercise performance by reducing mental fatigue and speeding up recovery time.  

Nitrate

Nitrate is generally found in vegetables, but it is also produced naturally in the body in small amounts. Some research has suggests that it can help with fitness due to its ability to increase blood flow.

Magnesium

This essential nutrient can help with blood pressure, recovery, and muscle soreness.

How do peptides help muscle growth?

Research on the use of peptides in older adults, specifically collagen peptides, has shown that they can have a direct effect on how much muscle mass a person has overall, as well as their level of strength. The aforementioned creatine is another peptide that can help boost muscle growth in those with regular fitness routines. Since peptides are a sort of mini-protein, they can have positive effects on muscle-building while also being easier for the body to absorb.

Other health benefits of peptides

Peptides aren’t just good for fitness. Research has shown that they hold a plethora of health benefits when taken properly and for the right reasons. Health conditions that can benefit from the use of peptide supplementation include:

Although this list is not exhaustive, it does highlight the many different uses for peptides. New research is ongoing in the realm of peptides for different health conditions, and it’s likely that will continue as they increase in popularity among health aficionados.

Vital RX - exercise
Image by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash: Peptides can help build muscle and improve stamina.

What is the best fitness box subscription?

There are many new subscription boxes to choose from if you’re looking to supplement your fitness routine. The Vital RX Fitness Subscription Box manages to stand out from the crowd with its carefully curated selection of essential vitamins, nutrients, and peptides that aim to improve fitness levels.

So, what are the key ingredients in the Vital RX Fitness Subscription Box? All of them have proven abilities to aid in the increase of overall fitness levels. Let’s take a closer look.

MK-677

MK-677 is an active nonpeptide that can increase the body’s secretion of the human growth hormone (HGH). When this happens, it can help to increase fat-free mass, which will then lead to a better ability to participate in fitness-related activities.

Glutamine/Arginine/Carnitine        

Otherwise known as G.A.C, glutamine, arginine, and carnitine are amino acids that work together as a group to help convert glycogen into energy. This helps to decrease fat stores within the body and burn more calories during a workout. It can aid in weight loss, but has also been shown to increase stamina, improve circulation, and prevent muscle loss.

Synapsin

Synapsins are proteins that belong to the same family and are involved in neurotransmitter release. They assist in maintaining levels of NAD within the body so that the regulation of cell metabolism is balanced. Research has found that synapsin levels can increase with regular exercise, and having elevated levels of the proteins from more exercise can help boost brain function.

Vitamin B12

This essential vitamin is needed for a plethora of different functions, including red blood cell formation and cell metabolism as well as DNA production and nerve function. Vitamin B12 also plays a vital role in energy levels.

DHEA

DHEA is considered the source of sex hormones and has been referred to as the “youth hormone”. Research has shown that it can help boost bone health, leading to lessened risk for osteoarthritis, as well as enhancing memory.

Featured image by Luis Quintero on Unsplash

What’s Included In Our Immune Health Subscription Box (And Why)

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, immune health has never been more important. The immune system is the body’s first line of defense against any pathogen, and when it’s not functioning as it should, the body is more susceptible to illness. Often in modern-day living, the immune system is one of the first parts of the body that suffers from a lack of good nutrition, adequate exercise, and an increase in pollutants and toxins.

When diet isn’t up to par, many people choose to supplement for an increased boost in immune health so that if an illness does happen to invade, the body has a better chance of fighting it off quickly and efficiently. The popularity of the wellness subscription box (and more specifically, the immune health subscription box) is proof that people are looking for better ways to improve their immune system during these trying times.

What is immune health?

Immune health is the body’s capability of fighting off or resisting an invasion on a multicellular level. It is driven by T-cells, and there are two types of immune responses: innate and adaptive. The innate part of the immune system is non-specific in nature, so its defense is generalized to all pathogens, whereas the acquired immune system practices immunological memory. The cells responsible for the acquired immune response often remember pathogens that have entered the body by creating antibodies to target specific invaders. The two systems work together against germs or other substances that come into contact with the body.

Vital RX - immune defense
Image by Bruno on Pixabay: What is an immune health subscription box, and do you need it now that the weather is getting colder?

How can I boost my immune system fast?

For those who suffer from a weakened immune system, it can be hard to correct because the system isn’t a single entity. It relies on several different things to work symbiotically for it to function the way it should.

It can be hard to boost the immune system quickly, but there are ways to keep it healthy. The best way to keep things running smoothly is through diet and exercise. Other forms of immunity protection include:

  • Avoiding toxins such as cigarettes and alcohol.
  • Getting enough sleep.
  • Practicing good hygiene to avoid exposure to harmful infections.
  • Managing stress levels.

What foods increase immunity?

For a fighting chance against pathogens and other bacteria, the immune system relies heavily on nutrition. Many foods contain vitamins and minerals that can aid in the protection of the immune function and should be consumed regularly for full effect. These foods include:

Fermented or probiotic foods

Foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir can help to replenish the stomach with good bacteria. Research has shown that when the gut bacteria is balanced properly, the immune system has an easier time telling healthy cells and invader cells apart. 

Healthy fats

Inflammation can lead to a suppression in immune function, and research has shown that eating healthy fats can reduce widespread inflammation. Foods such as avocado, salmon, and extra-virgin olive oil can all be a great addition to your diet if you want to reduce inflammation and strengthen your immune system.

Whole foods

Plant-based foods are full of nutrients the body needs. They are also full of antioxidants that can lessen the risk of oxidative stress, and thus keep the immune system running optimally.

Foods low in added sugar and carbs

Refined carbs and sugars can lead to obesity if consumed in high amounts. Being overweight or obese can significantly decrease your body’s ability to fight off infection.

Vital RX - fruit smoothie
Image by Silviarita on Pixabay: Fruits high in antioxidants are a vital component to a healthy, immune-boosting diet.

Vital RX Immune Subscription Box

To help strengthen a struggling immune system, an immune health subscription box like the one offered by Vital RX is the perfect addition to a healthy lifestyle. The high-quality ingredients in the box have been curated by specialized doctors to create an immune supplementation package that really works.

Thymosin Alpha

Oxidative damage and other chronic health issues can lead to a significant risk of a weakened immune system. The peptide thymosin alpha can restore the immune function by stimulating pathways that help to signal cells and increase production of cytokines, a group of small proteins that assist in cell signaling.  

Research has also shown that the peptide can play a vital role in the efficacy of vaccines, improvement of chronic fatigue, reduction of oxidative stress, and elimination of unhealthy cells from the body.

CJC

CJC is an amino acid peptide hormone that plays a crucial part in protein synthesis throughout the body. It can assist in overall wellness by improving sleep quality and promoting an increase in overall energy levels. When it comes to the immune system, the CJC has the ability to lend a hand by increasing the secretion of human growth hormone (HGH). HGH has a direct role in the effect the immune system has on pathogens, since it can lead to a more efficient stimulation of both B and T cells that help fight off infections. 

Multicomplete 360

The body needs all the essential vitamins and minerals it can get, and if your diet is lacking, a multivitamin can pick up the slack. Included in the Immune Subscription Box is Vital RX’s Multicomplete 360 to help balance out any deficiencies that may be leading to a suppressed immune function.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is an essential part of overall health, and is especially important when it comes to the body’s ability to absorb calcium and phosphorous. Without adequate D3 levels, the body will not be able to use the vitamins it needs and thus could suffer from weakened bones and loss of bone mass. Vitamin D3 plays a vital role in immune health because of its effect on immunologic cells. It acts as an autocrine to help modulate both innate and acquired immune responses.

Featured image by Silviarita on Pixabay

What’s Included In Our Energy Subscription Box (And Why)

Having low energy levels or suffering from chronic fatigue can make even life’s basic tasks that much more difficult. In today’s fast-paced society, many people find it difficult to stick to a diet and exercise routine that provides them with the optimal amount of nutrients and movement to keep their energy levels where they need to be. Pair that with a lack of sleep due to demanding lifestyles at home and work, and energy levels become even more depleted.

But aside from the aforementioned diet, exercise, and sleep routines, there are a few more ways to boost energy levels. One such way is through an energy subscription box, like the one offered by Vital RX, which contains high-quality ingredients designed to give your body that extra boost it needs to keep up with all of life’s demands.

Why is my energy so low?

People can suffer from low energy for a plethora of reasons, and no two people are alike when it comes to why they’re suffering from chronic fatigue. Possible reasons you may be tired all the time include:

A diet full of refined carbs

Carbohydrates generally give you energy to use throughout the day because the body breaks them down and turns them into sugar as an energy source. When you fill up too much on these foods, though, it can backfire. This is because carbs can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels, and when that happens, your body works in overdrive to produce more insulin to help rid the body of the excess sugar. Research has shown that limiting refined carbs has a direct connection to increased energy levels.

You aren’t moving enough

For those suffering from CFS, getting up to exercise could be a daunting task, but it could actually be the reason for your extra tiredness throughout the day. Exercising can help to reduce overall fatigue levels among both healthy people and those suffering from chronic or terminal illnesses.

Your sleep is off

Not getting enough sleep can cause tiredness, but high-quality sleep is more important than the number of hours you spend in bed. Research found that if you get seven hours of uninterrupted sleep per night, your body is able to go through the five stages of the sleep cycle, leading to less fatigue overall.

You’re thirsty

The body needs water to function, and if it is dehydrated, it’s likely that you’ll suffer from low energy levels. While you move throughout the day, you lose fluid that needs to be replenished to keep energy levels up.

Other chronic illnesses can also lead to fatigue and low energy levels, such as autoimmune disorders, viral infections, mental illness, and hormone imbalances.

Vital RX - supplement
Image by Michele Blackwell on Unsplash: Taking supplements for chronic fatigue can help restore balance to the body and return high energy levels when they’re depleted.

How to boost energy

There are ways to naturally boost energy levels if you feel as though chronic fatigue has taken a hold of your life. Although some may be harder to accomplish than others, when used in conjunction with diet, exercise, sleep, and supplementation, they can go a long way to restore how energized you are to take on your day.

Stress is a huge energy zapper, and it can lead to a host of other health problems that will deplete your energy even further. When the body is undergoing too much stress, it releases cortisol. The hormone is generally responsible for the regulation of the stress response, but in high levels, it can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome. CFS causes the body to become tired and weak; patients often experience sleep disturbances, which advances the condition even further.

Managing stress levels if a great way to avoid CFS and increase energy levels naturally. Other ways to help keep you energized include:

  • Lightening your workload where possible.
  • Avoiding negative health triggers such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
  • Eating foods with a low glycemic index.
  • Staying hydrated.

Following the above steps along with supplementation can increase energy levels and help rid the body of chronic fatigue.

Vital RX - fatigue
Image by Zhang Kaiyv on Unsplash: Getting high-quality sleep is one of the most important factors when it comes to keeping up energy levels.

What is the best supplement for energy?

There is no one supplement that reigns supreme when it comes to boosting energy levels, but there are a few that, when put together, can work wonders. For example, ashwagandha has shown to increase energy by offering further resilience to stress levels. In the case of mental fatigue, the herb rhodiola was found to have a positive effect when people were taking it regularly.

Other natural herbs and supplements that can be taken to help combat low energy levels include:

CoQ10

This coenzyme is found naturally in the body and is used by cells to create energy while protecting systems from oxidative stress. Without adequate levels of CoQ10, the body has a hard time producing energy to stay healthy, thus leading to extreme tiredness.

Iron

Many people, especially women, may suffer from low levels of iron. Iron assists in the way oxygen is transported throughout the body by creating hemoglobin. When levels are low, red blood cells have a harder time carrying oxygen, which leads to tiredness and chronic fatigue.

Beetroot powder

Beetroot powder contains nitrate, which assists in the production of oxide, increasing blood flow and thus giving your body a better chance at producing energy.

Vital RX Energy Subscription Box

The above are just a few examples of supplements that can help battle chronic fatigue. Vital RX’s energy boost supplement box contains other vital nutrients that can play a pivotal role in combating chronic fatigue and overall tiredness. Let’s take a look at some of the box’s ingredients.

MIC Combo Blend

Lipotropic injections contain high levels of vitamins and nutrients that can help battle chronic fatigue. They often contain Vitamin B12, methionine, inositol, and choline. When taken regularly, this can help maintain energy levels.

Synapsin

NAD is crucial when it comes to regulating cell metabolism. Synapsin helps to maintain healthy levels of NAD in human cells, acting as a protector when it comes to neurological effects and chronic stress. Since chronic stress often leads to chronic fatigue, the addition of synapsin can help mitigate the body’s responses, leading to more energy overall.  

DHEA

DHEA is a hormone precursor in the human body and is a source of sex hormones. Studies have shown that when administered to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, DHEA can reduce the symptoms significantly, restoring overall energy levels.

MK-677

This active nonpeptide plays a crucial role in bone health, but can also help increase energy levels by improving sleep quality and cognitive function. 

Featured image by Jordan Opel on Unsplash