Many people go for energy drinks at times of increased physical and mental stress — to improve their alertness, concentration, and performance. Surveys have shown that many of the world’s top athletes and drivers consume energy drinks. Many people with active lifestyles depend on energy drinks to revitalize their body and mind. While the short-term effectiveness of energy drinks cannot be disputed, their long-term effects need to be carefully studied.

Energy drink companies also claim that their products enhance focus and concentration, improve short term memory, and contain much less sugars than normal soft drinks.

Most energy drinks are said to provide a combination of B vitamins, amino acids, and stimulants such as caffeine or guarana. Energy drinks come in different fruity flavors. What energy drinks do is convert sugars contained in them (fructose and glucose) into energy and at the same time stimulate the red blood cells to release more oxygen. This is the source of the instant energy in the energy drinks.

Energy drinks also contain citric acid which is harmful to the teeth. The unpredictability of the use of energy drinks lies in the fact that they produce different reactions in different people. Energy drinks have stimulating properties that can boost the heart rate and blood pressure. Taken in excess, energy drinks can dehydrate the body and, like other stimulants, they also prevent sleep.

But as long as the modern world demands high-intensity bursts of energy from the human beings who run it, people will continue to consume energy drinks. The question is how to get instant energy without the drawbacks associated with energy drinks.

Fortunately, there is a way out. The wonder sugars that can keep you in a high-energy orbit without the harmful effects associated with energy drinks have now been discovered. A lot of research is currently going on into the role played by glyconutrients, a class of saccharides usually found in plant sugars, in the development of the human body. Glyconutrients are called ’sugars that heal’ for the amazing role they play in human health.

Glyconutrients are necessary for some of the fundamental biochemical processes in the body, such as cell-to-cell communication. Eight of these sugars have been identified as particularly useful for the body. Our diets usually provide us with two of these eight sugars. The rest of the sugars can also be supplemented by taking fruits and vegetables. But glyconutrients are found only in fruits grown organically and these have to be consumed within 24 hours to get the right amount of nutrition.

Energy drinks and supplements with glyconutrients – called glyconutritionals –are now available. For your body to be free of fatigue and to perform optimally, the bodily functions have to take place like clockwork. This is what the glyconutrients do – they keep the communication links open between cells. With glyconutrients keeping cellular communication pathways open, and the immune and endocrine systems in top working order, your body will not feel any fatigue.

Article By Lisa Hyde-Barrett

A: Zija comes from the nutrient-rich Moringa Oleifera plant. It’s packed with over 90 nutrients, vitamins, minerals, amino acids (all of them) and omega oils, a host of phytonutrients, supreme antioxidants and anti-inflammatories found only in the Moringa plant. Included in the product are 30 grams of Moringa, natural flavor, citric acid, agar, acacia and ester gums, and fruit pectin; suspended in purified spring water.

Zija contains leaf powder, leaf puree, seed cake, fruit powder, and fruit juice harvested from organically grown Moringa Oleifera trees.

Zija is made from all natural and all Generally Recognized As Safe ingredients, is hypoallergenic, celiac tolerated, gmo free, gluten free, no preservatives or stabilizers whatsoever, low in naturally occurring sugars, fat free, trans fat free, hydrogenated fat free, no artificial coloring, no animal products, soy free, corn free, and wheat free.

Q: What can Zija do for me?

A: Many have reported improvements in digestion, vision, mental clarity, and overall well-being, plus a reduction in symptoms associated with fatigue, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and aging. Additional benefits have been noted, such as improved skin and positive mood. We believe you’ll feel a difference.

Q: How long does it take to feel a difference?

A: Zija was formulated in such a way to make the beverage completely bioavailable to the body. In other words, the body will absorb all of the nutrients contained in the Zija beverage. Zija is made from all natural ingredients that your body will recognize and utilize. Zija contains none of the things your body will not recognize or utilize in an efficient manner. Concentrates, artificial preservatives, and artificial sweeteners were purposely omitted from the formula as the body does not recognize these or which will be stored by the body as fats.

We have had people tell us they have noticed a difference in as little as 7-10 days. However, it is important to remember that everyone’s body reacts differently to Zija. If it takes a little longer to see the benefits of Zija, it will be worth it.

While most users feel a difference in a matter of days, our money back guarantee insures you receive a full product price refund if you do not feel a difference in 30 days.

Q: How is Zija manufactured?

A: One of the world’s most respected formulators created this potent combination of a blend of Moringa’s most nutrient-rich parts – the leaves, the fruit, and the seeds. Everything good about the plant is part of Zija. 100% natural. No chemicals, preservatives, or concentrates. Zija is processed using flash pasteurization, which brings the liquid to a certain temperature for a very short amount of time, then immediately sends it through a cooling process to ensure that none of the valuable nutrients are lost.

Q: Is Zija organic, and does it have preservatives?

A: Zija is confidently organic – the way Mother Nature intended. We do not include preservatives other than a high quality, natural preservative found in lemons and limes – citric acid. Unlike synthetic vitamins, Zija is a pure, all-natural source of nutrition. Shelf life of up to one year is expected, yet we recommend you drink Zija daily for optimum cumulative benefits.

Q: Are there any side effects I can expect?

A: Initially you may undergo a detoxification effect due to Zija’s high amount of chlorophyll as it removes toxins. Initially the detox effects may include a headache, upset stomach, or nausea. If that occurs, we recommend drinking 1/2 can of Zija per day for one week, until the detoxification side effects subside. Please consult your doctor if you have health concerns. Each person is unique and responds differently to Zija, but most experience many varied health benefits.

Q: Why is Zija packaged in cans?

A: We chose the can for several reasons. Unlike glass, no foreign objects will ever get into the product and cause harm to the consumer. Cans provide a 100% light barrier that is essential to making sure the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds do not lose potency. The can has been safely coated with a food-use water-based coating approved by the FDA. The coating is on the total inside of the can, including the lid, and provides a safe contact barrier between Zija and the aluminum. Zija is very safe to drink packaged in aluminum cans.

Q: What sets Zija apart from other beverages and liquid dietary supplements?

A: Most liquid supplements are made from fruit juice concentrates. Research and analytical tests confirm that concentrates are essentially only sugar and flavor as the concentration process strips out 90% of the vitamins and minerals. Zija is the first commercially available beverage using all of the nutritious parts of the Moringa plant. Unlike synthetic vitamins, Zija is an all-natural dietary source of nutrients.

Q: Am I safe in drinking Zija packaged in aluminum cans?

A: Yes, Zija is very safe to drink packaged in aluminum cans. For over 20 years Ball Container has been safely coating aluminum cans with a water-based coating approved by the FDA for food uses. The coating is on the total inside of the can including the lid and provides a safe contact barrier between Zija and the aluminum.

Her passion for Moringa comes from the fact that she currently is utilizing Moringa as a volunteer and student at ECHO Global Farm. ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization) is a non-profit, inter-denominational Christian organization located on a demonstration farm in North Fort Myers, FL. ECHO has been assisting a global network of missionaries and development workers since 1981 and is currently serving agricultural workers in 180 countries. She is doing a project with underutilized food crops with special interest in the Moringa Tree, out of Hendry Creek Farm, in Fort Myers. This project will help raise funds for the Passion Rescue Mission, a non-profit organization to help feed children in orphanages in Haiti. She understands the many nutritional benefits of Moringa and personally uses it to create a nutritional sauce for meals and as a healthy tea to drink. She said that Moringa recently helped alleviate her daughter’s 104 degree fever by giving her a mixture of her Moringa tea with some apple juice. The next day Shammah no longer had a fever and was full of energy and completely recovered.

When she discovered the Zija drink on the plantmiracle.com website she knew that her passion for Moringa and the business opportunity was a perfect fit for her. The Plant Miracle organization will be able to assist her in her Zija business with coaching support, our Zija Messenger email technology, her own personal website and Plant Miracle’s live webinars which are hosted weekly by two of the founders of Plant Miracle, Dr. George Kosmides and Michael Rivera. We congratulate Hephzibah-Ene Anderson for making a difference for other people by sharing Moringa and Zija’s health and financial benefits.

Taste

Take a good whiff of your food before you eat-90% of taste is smell. Alan Hirsch, M.D., a neurologist in Chicago, says, “The more odor molecules hit receptors in your nose, the more robust your sense of taste.

Hearing

Simply smile. The muscles that turn your frown upside down also tense your middle ear muscles. In turn, this softens low frequency noises-the hum of an air conditioner, the din of traffic, or the office chatter-by as much as 20 decibels.

Touch

Look at the body part that’s doing the touching. A British study has found that looking at the body part increases activity in the area of the brain that controls sensation. The reverse works too, look away when receiving a shot.

Sight

Position your computer monitor so you’re looking slightly looking down at it. Your eyes won’t be open as wide, so they won’t be exposed to as much cornea-drying air. That means less eye strain and blurring..hence a better vision.

Smell

Run the hot water. Before odors reach your smell receptors, they first pass through a membrane. Warm, most air helps odor dissolve into that membrane. But hurry, your heightened senses will last only a few minutes.

The physicians of A4M, along with the advocacy of aging intervention and biomedical research, have brought millions of new consumers to the realization that aging is not inevitable. Thanks in large part to these combined efforts, anti-aging products and biomedical technology is a $50+ billion annual industry. Plant Miracle and Zija are well positioned for tremendous growth. We invite you to this tremendous opportunity.

Have you ever come home feeling absolutely drained after working your 9-5 shift? Do you struggle to stay awake during work hours? Do you find yourself reaching for the coffee pot every 2-3 hours?

You may be wondering why you are feeling so tired during and after work hours, even after a full night’s sleep. The good news is there are natural ways to combat fatigue and tiredness and you’ll be surprised how effective they are.

1. Increase your sleep time
A study released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that adults are not getting enough rest each night. Of those questioned, 70 percent said they had not gotten enough rest or sleep every day of the past month. Sleep is very important for the human body, lack of sleep plays a heavy role in your performance throughout the day.

2. Exercise 3-4 times a week
The very first day that you start your exercise program, you will be healthier than you were yesterday. Why? Because your body immediately responds to the exercise by building new cells and tissues to support that exercise. It gets ready to better handle the exercise you will do tomorrow. Isn’t that amazing?

3. Eat dry fruits
Dry fruit is fruit that has been dried, either naturally or through use of a machine, such as a food dehydrator. Dry fruit contain substantial quantities of essential nutrients in a rational proportion. They are excellent source of minerals, vitamins and enzymes. They are easy to digest and clean the blood and the digestive area. Persons who have this natural diet will always enjoy good health. Also the illness caused by the intake of unnatural foods can be successfully treated by fruits. Though nuts and raisins are small in size, amount of power they provide us when consumed make them very big.

4. Drink plenty of water
Water is your body’s principal chemical component, making up, on average, 60 percent of your body weight. Every system in your body depends on water. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don’t have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.

NOTE – If you exercise or engage in any activity that makes you sweat, you need to drink extra water to compensate for the fluid loss.

5. Meditation
While meditation is surrounded by religion, beliefs and superstitions, it is a valid body state like any other, such as arousal or sleep. By learning to meditate, you can reap the benefits of this body state which include relaxation, energy and perspective on your life. Meditation is used by people interested addressing conditions such as anxiety, pain, depression, emotional problems, insomnia, and stress. Meditation is also the ultimate brain workout.

6. Deep breathing exercises
Deep breathing is a critical piece of maintaining good health. Most people overlook it even though the majority of the population breathes rapidly and shallowly, probably indicative of the hurried pace of the world we live it. Deep breathing lessens your physical response to stress, helps to keep your mind clear, and increases the levels of oxygen to your organs.

7. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils (and essential oils) for physical and psychological well-being. As scents are inhaled, the smell travels across the olfactory nerves located inside the nose and then up into the part of the brain that controls our moods, our memories and our ability to learn. This area is called the Limbic System and when stimulated it releases endorphins, neurotransmitters and other ‘feel-good’ chemicals.

8. Take a power nap
Studies show that 20 minutes of sleep in the afternoon provides more rest than 20 minutes more sleep in the morning. The body seems to be designed for this, as most people’s bodies naturally become more tired in the afternoon, about 8 hours after we wake up. Napping somewhat recharges our body, enough to get us through the rest of the day.

9. Eat bananas daily
Bananas are a natural source of potassium. Potassium is important for the human body as it helps keep the body fluids and electrolyte balance in body cells and helps in regulating blood pressure. Higher levels of potassium in the body can reduce the possibility of a stroke. Due to the high level of potassium in them, bananas are considered to be an excellent snack when a person is highly stressed or is working late at the office. This is because potassium helps to normalize the heartbeat sending oxygen to the brain. Increased metabolic rates during stress reduce our potassium levels. Bananas help to replenish them.

10. Think positively
Positive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that are conductive to growth, expansion and success. It is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a successful outcome of every situation and action. This is the basic core of the Law of Attraction, changing your thought patterns affects you and your environment.

So the next time you are feeling tired, think happy thoughts and put on a smile. Before you know it, you will suddenly get a rush of energy by just thinking about it.

In conclusion, if you can introduce 3 or 4 of the suggestions from above to your daily routine, you will see a dramatic increase in your energy level. The main key to gaining more energy throughout the day is to constantly get your blood flowing, replenishing with water, and supplying your body with vitamins and nutrients.

Coffee, energy drinks, and chocolate will provide a short burst of energy, however, they will cause you even more fatigue so just say no!

Sometimes, the best things in life are not always the most popular. Think about the artistic work of Van Gogh, the intrigue that lies with his name did not materialize until over a hundred years after his death. The same thing can be said about the many remarkable inventions by the underground inventor Nikola Tesla who created AC circuitry. Furthermore, if you look at the independent music scene, you’ll notice many times that the best musicians are not always the famous ones. These are all examples of a very striking principle at work here.

It’s the fact that visibility is more important than ability.

The same principle applies for modern medical practices. Notice how many pharmaceutical solutions there are in the supermarket, pharmacies, and other established places? Now, notice how many natural solutions are being shelved out there. Probably not a whole lot and even if they were, they are rarely presented in this way to compete. The key to realize here is that big pharmaceutical corporations have the capital to shell out millions for advertising campaigns and broker distribution deals with grocery or department chains. Natural solutions simply do not get this type of media recognition because pharmaceutical corporations would merely muscle them out with sheer economic might.

It goes even further…. pharmaceuticals may sometimes fund educational institutions which educates doctors and respective hospitals. The unfortunate thing here is that doctors, despite being honest and well-meaning, may only prescribe based on the paradigm rooted in their corporate-funded education. Even worse, very often popular media will brand natural systems with the connotation of quackery or backwardness. There have even been cases of those who prescribed natural health methods and were outcast as a lunatic even.

Even in countries where natural medical paradigms dominated, such as in India or rural China, the profitability of conventional medical paradigms combined with its ability to show an “instant result” has really began to take hold.

There is a saying in traditional Chinese medicine theory that goes “all diseases are rooted from the mouth”. This really emphasizes that what we eat or breathe is the root of almost all disorders and health problems. We essentially are what we consume.

For example, let’s take the topic of hemorrhoid removal. You’ll notice that most doctors readily recommend surgical removal and hardly try much more than a few creams which provide some mild relief in most cases. This does not always serve as a win-win for the patient.

Another predominant theory in Chinese medicine is that all diseases are curable as long as they are not past a certain threshold because the basis of health lies in correcting imbalances.

If we take this principle and focus on the root imbalance, which is what we consume, we’d certainly take a radically different approach to the problem. Suddenly, the root problem is not only the hemorrhoid, which I recommend using a natural cure as well, but also your entire digestive habits.

Remember that pharmaceuticals want you to believe their way is the best and has used the power of brand marketing to create an impression of credibility. The problem is that their solutions may not always be the best for your body.

Article By: Holly Hayden
Holly Hayden is a respected authority on how to cure hemorrhoids naturally. Her free report on this method has helped thousands of people avoid hemorrhoid surgery and treat piles fully within 48 hours. Holly has become a popular underground speaker on natural remedies in recent years.

Flickr image by: Michaelll

Moringa oleifera is a fast growing, aesthetically pleasing small tree adapted to arid, sandy conditions. The species is characterized by its long, drumstick shaped pods that contain its seeds. Within the first year of growth, moringa has been shown to grow up to 4 meters and can bear fruit within the same first year (Folkard and Sutherland, 1996).

Virtually every part of the tree is beneficial in some way, which is of great importance in areas where people have a direct dependence on trees, crops and animals for their livelihood. The studies that have been performed on moringa have taken place primarily in India and Africa, but it seems that there may be a growing interest in the cultivation possibilities in the more humid tropics, including Central and South America.

Depending on the purpose and quantity desired, moringa can be grown in a nursery as a community project or on a smaller scale at the family level. It can function as windbreaks for erosion control, live fences, as an ornamental or intercropped to provide semi-shade to species requiring less direct sunlight (ICRAF).

Related Article:

• www.peacecorps.mtu.edu
• www.organichealthblog.com

Energy drinks seems to be the latest “BUZZ” these days. They are extremely popular with teenagers and young adults, with names like Venom, Whoopass, Red Bull and Adrenaline Rush, they are being sold by the millions to people looking for a quick boost of energy. These drinks can give you just the right amount of kick to get you up and going, to wake you up when you’re feeling drowsy or to enhance the taste of your favorite alcohol. Whatever the case may be, energy drinks are more popular than ever and it seems to be getting bigger every year. Just look at your local convenient store, more than likely they have as much energy drinks as they have soft drinks and perhaps even more.

Most energy drinks contain large doses of caffeine and other legal stimulants including ephedrine, guarana, taurine and ginseng. Such drinks are being marketed to people 30 and younger.

We have become addicted to these energy drinks that it may seem normal to consume them on a daily basis. We often overlook the fact that something that tastes so good can be so bad for us. What negative health effects do these drinks posses and what the heck are the ingredients found in them? Let’s have a look at the some of most common ingredients.

5 Common Energy Drink Ingredients

Taurine - Taurine is actually an amino acid that is found in the human body—it is a natural substance that our bodily systems encounter every day. In energy drinks, however, the taurine is a synthetic element. The main concern related to taurine is the question of how taurine reacts with other ingredients, like caffeine. When given to test rats in an experimental laboratory, it was found that the taurine caused anxiety, irritability, high sensitivity to noise, and self-mutilations. However, this data does not mean that the same effects will occur in humans—the differences between rats and people are obviously substantial.

Guarana - Guarana is a berry that grows in Venezuela and the northern parts of Brazil. Guarana’s main ingredient is guaranine, which is chemically identical to caffeine. This is why people get an energy boost after taking guarana. Since it contains guaranine, guarana is a stimulant similar to coffee. This means that it causes insomnia, impairs the appetite, cause high blood pressure and increase your heart rate.

Glucose - Glucose is a simple form of sugar that is created when the body’s digestive processes break down the food we eat. Glucose is the body’s main source of energy. The glucose found in energy drinks is synthetic, although it does provide a source of energy, it is not sustainable for long periods of time.

Caffeine - Caffeine has been a part of our lives for a very long time and caffeine has long been known to cause exhaustion, fatigue, and addiction. Whether it’s a soft drink, caffeinated tea or coffee – it will put your body on the caffeine roller coaster. When you consume caffeine, the drug begins its effects by initiating uncontrolled neuron firing in your brain. Now when you mix caffeine with other ingredients found in energy drinks, you have a recipe that is detrimental to your health.

Sodium Benzoate- Sodium benzoate is a type of salt that may occur naturally in some foods but is chemically produced and added as a preservative to energy drinks. There are health concerns about the combination of sodium benzoate and ascorbic acid, another common ingredient in energy drinks. When the two are mixed, they can form the chemical benzene, which is carcinogenic. Sodium benzoate on its own is not considered a carcinogen, and you would have to consume a huge amount of it in order to have toxic levels in your body.

Side Effects of Energy Drinks

A popular trend on a rise is mixing energy drinks with alcohol, this is popular because it makes one feel alert and energetic, even when they are drunk. There have been many instances, where energy drinks mixed with alcohol has caused severe dehydration. Mixing powerful stimulants contained in some energy drinks with depressants in alcohol could cause cardiopulmonary or cardiovascular failures, said David Pearson, a researcher in the Human Performance Laboratory.

While energy drinks may have harmful effects on the body, that does not stop people from drinking them. Drinking an energy drink every now and doesn’t pose a long term health danger but when it is used as a substitute for other drinks such as water, it becomes a cause for concern.

Related articles:

• Health Dangers of Energy Drinks
• Labeling of Potentially Dangerous Energy Drinks
• Study Shows Energy Drinks Are Harmful

Moringa has an impressive range of medicinal uses with high nutritional value. Different parts of this plant contain a profile of important minerals, and are a good source of protein, vitamins, beta-carotene, amino acids and various phenolics. The Moringa plant provides a rich and rare combination of zeatin, quercetin, beta-sitosterol, caffeoylquinic acid and kaempferol. In addition to its compelling water purifying powers and high nutritional value, Moringa oleifera is very important for its medicinal value.

Various parts of this plant such as the leaves, roots, seed, bark, fruit, flowers and immature pods act as cardiac and circulatory stimulants, possess antitumor, antipyretic, antiepileptic, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihypertensive, cholesterol lowering, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial and antifungal activities, and are being employed for the treatment of different ailments in the indigenous system of medicine, particularly in South Asia.

6 Interesting facts About Moringa Oleifera

• Moringa grows in over 82 countries and is known by over 200 different names.
• Moringa is referenced in over 300 folk medicine remedies.
• Moringa is considered to have the highest protein ratio of any plant so far studied on earth.
• Moringa is recognized throughout the world as an amazing source of nutrition by The National Geographic Society, The National Science Foundation, and The United Nations World Food Program.
• Moringa grows best in regions where the temperature ranges from 25-40 degrees Celsius.
• Moringa does not survive over 1,000 meters above sea level.