By now, most people have heard about the benefits of CBD Oil. This natural plant extract has made countless headlines for its calming properties and how it can aid restful sleep, soothe stress, ease discomfort, and support everyday wellness. Still, many people wonder, will CBD work for me?
Touchstone Essentials has launched a new CBD sampling program that lets people try before they buy, featuring single servings of the best-selling Calm Premium CBD Oil 750mg tincture.
While CBD Oil has numerous long-term benefits, with Calm Premium CBD Oil, many people experience its effects in as little as 30 minutes. That’s why even a single serving can give a taste of enhanced well-being, and why samples are an ideal way to try CBD.
Touchstone Essentials and Verb have partnered to create a special sampling app exclusively for Visionary Business Owners (VBOs) to share the goodness of Calm CBD Oil. The app is loaded with innovative features that make it easy to share, sample, and succeed. Best of all, the app is FREE.
For VBOs, the sampling app provides an easy, socially-distancing way to share single serve samples of Calm CBD Oil with friends, family and contacts. With just a few taps on the phone, sampling sticks are packaged in a branded folder, wrapped in a professional brochure, and shipped off automagically to the contact of their choice.
Calm CBD Oil comes from organically grown hemp, has 25mg of CBD per serving and is broad spectrum for a wide range of benefits, all without any THC, and it finishes with a refreshing organic peppermint flavor.
Each sample mailer contains two single serve sample sticks of Calm Premium CBD Oil for double the goodness. There’s no cost for the sample mailer, just $5.95 to cover shipping and handling. VBOs can cover that cost, or can send contacts to a sample website where a person orders their mailer and covers the shipping.
Once the sample arrives, people can try CBD Oil for themselves, and if they want to keep the calm feeling going, can easily order a full-sized bottle, backed by science, hundreds of five-star reviews, and a money-back guarantee.
As new VBOs join in the US, they gain instant access to the sampling program, and can get one or more complimentary sample credits added to their account so they can start sharing samples right away. [100PV+ first order = 1 free sample credit | 500PV+ first order = 5 free sample credits]
To maximize all the ways the sampling program can support and grow their business, VBOs can simply download the Verb app, login with their email and account password, and start to share, sample and succeed!
Vitamin D is one of the most overlooked components of a healthy immune system. In fact, before the development of antibiotics and advanced medical care, healthcare professionals unknowingly treated patients that had infectious diseases using vitamin D, achieving better outcomes in the process.
An excerpt in the London Journal of Medicine from 1849 revealed how one physician used cod liver oil—a rich source of vitamin D—to help 206 out of 234 patients recover from tuberculosis (1).
In 1903, a Swiss doctor named Auguste Rollier used sunlight therapy for patients with infectious diseases, leading to the creation of sanatoriums where TB patients received vitamin D through sunlight exposure. Many doctors during this time believed that sunlight killed the tuberculosis bacterium (2).
Despite this being over 100 years ago, these physicians were surprisingly on-point. Recent decades of scientific research has revealed that vitamin D has intimate ties to the immune system.
Vitamin D and Protection from Viruses
When your body doesn’t have enough vitamin D, your immune system can have a difficult time fighting off infections. Several studies have found that people with vitamin D deficiencies are more likely to experience upper respiratory infections (colds), influenza, and bacterial infections (3).
Moreover, there’s evidence that supplementing vitamin D can decrease the risk of getting sick with influenza or other related illnesses (4). This could explain why so many people get sick in the winter.
In winter months, people tend to bundle up against the cold and spend less time outdoors. Plus, people living in northern latitudes, which covers most of the US and Europe, can’t make vitamin D in winter months due to the angle of the sun relative to earth. The lower levels of vitamin D then make you more susceptible to catching a cold or flu (5, 6).
There’s also evidence that suggests low levels of vitamin D are associated with worse COVID-19 outcomes and increased mortality. It’s theorized that this occurs because vitamin D can help prevent the dangerous cytokine storm that can happen with a COVID-19 infection (7, 8).
For this very reason, researchers from Trinity College Dublin are also urging the Irish government to promote vitamin D for improved COVID-19 outcomes (9). Of course, this research is just preliminary and does not prove anything as of yet. Time will tell whether there is a true relationship between vitamin D and COVID-19 outcomes.
That being said, all this is pretty impressive for a little vitamin that your body makes from the sun, right? And it turns out that vitamin D does much more for the immune system than just helping it eliminate infection from viruses.
Vitamin D and Autoimmunity
Vitamin D can help balance out the immune system. In other words, it exerts immunomodulatory effects. This is important because when the immune system becomes overactive, it can attack your cells. When this happens, it’s called autoimmune disease.
Research has found correlations between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes (10). As such, experts believe that getting enough vitamin D is important for the prevention of autoimmunity (11).
The take-home point here is that vitamin D has immunomodulatory effects that help balance the immune system and may prevent the immune system from overreacting and attacking healthy cells.
The Potential Link Between Vitamin D and Cancer
Most people realize that the immune system is important for killing off infections. But in addition to killing off harmful bacteria or viruses, your immune system has the important job of destroying cancer cells before they multiply and become a problem (12).
Of course, the immune system isn’t perfect. And cancer cells have some clever tricks. Some cancer cells, for instance, can change their behaviors to hide from natural killer cells—a type of immune cell that can kill harmful microbes or cells including cancer cells (13).
Evidence suggests that vitamin D may play an important role in the immune system for several types of cancer cells (14). This could explain why there are associations with vitamin D and reduced cancer mortality (15). This seems to be particularly the case for vitamin D and reduced risk of breast cancer.
One study showed women with high levels of vitamin D (> or equal to 60 ng/ml) had an 82% lower risk of breast cancer compared to women with a low level of vitamin D (<20 ng/ml) (16). Survival rates for breast cancer are also markedly better for women with higher vitamin D (17).
Of course, cancer is exceptionally complicated, and this does NOT mean vitamin D is a prevention or cure. Rather it shows that vitamin D plays an important role in the immune system, which we rely on to keep us healthy.
How to Get More Vitamin D
Ideally, you should get vitamin D naturally, from the sun, which is easier in summer months. Aim for at least 15 minutes of direct sun to skin exposure every day. If you have darker skin, you need even more time in the sun.
In addition to producing vitamin D, sun exposure is known to trigger the release of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide can combine with reactive oxygen species (also made by sun exposure) to produce a compound called peroxynitrite that is a natural antibacterial agent produced in your body (18).
Getting sun exposure can also help normalize your circadian rhythm for better sleep which also plays a critical role in immune health (19, 20).
However, getting 15+ minutes of sun exposure simply isn’t possible or even practical sometimes. If you’re unable to get enough sun exposure, the next best option is getting it through your diet with wild-caught oily fish or wild mushrooms, or via a nutritional supplement.
While it’s a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement during winter months or if you spend most of your time indoors, many vitamin D supplements out there are sourced from the fat in lamb’s wool. Not so appetizing, right?
Mushrooms are the only superfood source for vitamin D, making them an optimal, environmentally friendly source of vitamin D. Despite rumors that the plant-based form of vitamin D is inferior to animal-based vitamin D, studies have found that both forms of vitamin D are equally effective (21).
In addition to organic vitamin D, an ideal supplement should include the nutritional co-factors that optimize absorption. Mineral-rich greens provide the right balance of vitamin K, magnesium and other nutrients your body needs to make the most of vitamin D.
The immune system is critical to our well-being. Research shows that vitamin D is a keystone for immune health through protecting us from infections, and helping to prevent an overactive immune system. Since one small vitamin can have such a big impact, getting enough vitamin D should be a priority every day.
With stay-at-home orders and social distancing in place, the number of people doing home workouts has soared. The good news is that you don’t need to access a full gym to be able to get a great workout. There are a number of exercises that can be done right at home that will help you get lean, burn fat and support your health.
It’s well established that working out can improve your mood, slow down aging, decrease your risk of many diseases, and support a healthy immune system. But while any form of exercise has benefits, not every type is best for burning fat.
If you want the most results for your effort, research suggests that HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is the one to turn to for burning fat and getting lean. Plus, you can easily do it at home, with minimal to no equipment.
What is HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training?
High-intensity interval training is a workout that involves intense short bursts of exercise followed by brief rest or intervals of low-intensity exercise. Notice the emphasis on intense. To make up for the intensity, the sets are usually short—between 20 to 90 seconds.
HIIT sessions can last anywhere from 10-30 minutes. This short duration is ideal for people with busy schedules because it provides more benefits than moderate exercise in less than half the time!
HIIT is one of the most effective training methods to sculpt your body. An example of a 20-minute HIIT routine (courtesy of HomeGym101.com) would consist of rounds of 4 minutes, with 40 seconds on the exercise and 20 seconds of rest before the next move:
Squats (aim for a 90-degree angle with thighs parallel to the ground)
Jumping Lunges (or standing lunges if jumping is hard on your knees)
Burpees (standing to plank position then jump or step back to standing)
Plank (elbow plank to ease pressure on your wrists)
Repeat the above round 5 times
More advanced routines include a variety of exercises including weighted squats, deadlifts, box jumps, sprints, dips, push-ups and pull-ups.
5 Key Benefits of HIIT for Home Workouts
The magic of HIIT lies in the short intervals of intense exercise. This specific type of exercise triggers a surge of reactions in the body that make it ideal for getting lean. Research shows that HIIT can specifically…
1. Burn More Calories
When you burn more calories than you consume in a day, your body begins to use fat as energy. Over time, this can result in a lower body fat percentage. Research suggests that HIIT burns 20-30% more calories compared to moderate forms of exercise (1). This alone is a reason to give HIIT a try.
2. Encourage Lipolysis (Fat Burning)
What makes HIIT so effective is that it encourages your body to burn fat (lipolysis) through multiple mechanisms. Under normal circumstances, your body prefers to use glucose (sugar) as an energy source. But HIIT encourages your body to use fat as an energy source instead.
One of the reasons why this happens is because HIIT causes your body to release a cocktail of compounds including catecholamines and human growth hormone (2, 3). The result is that HIIT has been found to significantly reduce body fat compared to moderate exercise (4).
3. Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Blood sugar control plays a huge role in weight management. When your blood sugar levels are chronically high, it signals your pancreas to produce more insulin. This constant stimulation of insulin can cause your body to store the extra sugar in your blood as fat (5).
This is why managing your blood sugar levels is important if you want a lean body. A big part of that is moderating your intake of sugar and refined carbs. But research also suggests that HIIT can both reduce blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance more than regular exercise (6).
4. Increase Muscle Tone
When you want to get a lean and trimmed body, losing fat shouldn’t be the only goal. In addition to fat loss, you should also look to improve your muscle tone. Two people can have the same body fat percentage, but if one is more toned, that person will look leaner.
This is another reason why HIIT is so effective. It’s a hybrid of cardiovascular exercise and weight training that work better together. The intense cardio aspect helps you burn more fat, whereas the weight training tones your muscles (7, 8).
5. Perfectly Suited for Home Workouts
Best of all, this type of training doesn’t take long, just 20-30 minutes a session, you can fit it in even on a busy schedule. Most of the exercises use minimal to no gym equipment so they can be done anytime and anywhere. This makes HIIT the ideal home workout.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to burning fat and getting a lean body, most people resort to cardio—lots of it. The problem is, cardio will only get you mediocre results. If you’re okay with that, then keep going. It’s still really healthy. But if you want to skyrocket your progress, evidence suggests that HIIT is the absolute best option to get lean, burn more fat and tone muscles.
HIIT can be a fantastic tool for your fitness goals and takes considerably less time than standard workouts. But don’t overdo it. Aim to work your way up to 2-3 times per week. Since HIIT is so intense, your body requires a longer period of time to recover. You can also support exercise recovery and muscle health by making sure you get enough lean protein in your diet or by supplementing with an organic plant-based protein. Then balance HIIT with rest days or other exercise so you can experience the greatest benefit.
Drinking enough water is a great way to keep your skin healthy, stay energized throughout the day, and keep your digestive system in tip-top shape. Since your body is mostly water, you need a lot of it to function properly.
Few of us actually drink enough water and most get nowhere near 8 glasses 8 times a day. Sixty four ounces is a lot of water to drink, unless it’s spaced throughout the day.
But if you drink enough every day, you will feel incredible. So if you want to feel and perform your best, follow these seven “hacks” for tricking yourself into drinking more water.
By “flavor your water” we’re not talking about using sugar-filled flavor packets. The added sugar and chemical additives would defeat the whole purpose of a healthy drink.
Instead, flavor water by adding a favorite fruit or veggie. Try one or more of these popular choices:
Orange slices
Cucumber slices
Lemon or lime slices
Mint leaves
As the fruits and veggies soak in the water, the flavors are infused throughout, making it taste delicious. And when it tastes amazing, you’ll be naturally motivated to drink more of it.
If you put your water on your desk, or carry it with you wherever you go, you’re going to drink more water. It’s that simple.
When something is in front of you, you’re constantly reminded of it as your eyes glance over the object. For instance, when candy or doughnuts are placed on the breakroom table, they’re a real temptation. But move the treats to a cabinet that’s rarely used? They’re much easier to resist.
The same works for positive habits like drinking water. When you keep your water nearby at all times, it tricks you into drinking more.
In order to bring your water with you to work or on-the-go, it’s important to have a travel-friendly water bottle.
Avoid plastic bottles which can leech harmful chemicals into the water. Even BPA-Free plastic should be avoided, since BPS and other plastic alternatives continue to show the potential to disrupt hormones.
Opt for a glass water bottle when possible. When working out or traveling or you just want a bottle that won’t break, go for stainless steel. You can even find double-walled insulated bottles (like Thinksport) that keep your beverage ice cold for hours.
One of the first things health experts do when they wake up is drink a tall glass of water.
Not only does this help you reach your daily half-gallon goal, drinking water first thing in the morning is important because your body has been without it for the past 6-8 hours while sleeping.
Add lemon slices to get your digestive system moving and energize the body.
An effective way to meet your daily recommended water intake is to set reminders or mini-goals.
If you’re tech-savvy, you can set reminders on your phone to prompt you to drink more water every couple of hours.
Some people don’t like the distraction of phone reminders because they need to maintain a lot of focus during the day, so try this as an alternative:
You can use a wax pen to write visual reminders on a glass water bottle, without permanently staining it. Maybe your goal is 24 ounces by lunch, so just write the ounces and times and it’ll help keep you on track.
If you’re not taking measures to drink enough water every day, there’s a high chance you’re not getting enough.
As a result, you can become chronically dehydrated and experience a range of symptoms including mind-numbing fatigue, dry skin, digestive issues, and much more.
And if you’ve felt these symptoms all your life, it’s easy to assume they are just “normal” whereas in reality, they are likely the result of chronic dehydration.
Deliciously refreshing, these strawberry watermelon popsicles are so yummy kids (and grown-ups) will keep asking for more. And with 44 organic superfoods inside you’ll never have to say no. Get watermelon while it’s in season, make extras and keep them in the freezer for when you need a cooling shot of summer.
6 Popsicle Molds and Sticks 1 scoop Super Green Juice powder 2 cups (16 oz.) fresh chopped seedless watermelon 2-3 fresh mint leaves 1 cup (8 oz.) chopped organic strawberries Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered honey (vegan? try maple syrup)
Deliciously sweet and hydrating, watermelon is full of a special antioxidant called lycopene renowned for its cell protective abilities.
Strawberries are a tasty addition with vitamin C and added antioxidants for anti-aging and brain support. Limes alkalize the body and support digestive health, and are full of immunity building vitamin C. Mint adds antioxidants and is renowned for its ability to soothe the digestive system.
Raw honey is a superfood sweetener. It’s a potent mix of fructose, enzymes, vitamins, minerals and amino acids that acts as an antioxidant. For a full vegan option, pick agave or organic maple syrup.
A scoop of Super Green Juice powder provides 44 organic superfoods. Inside are vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, probiotics, 3g of fiber and 3g of plant protein.
Each Strawberry Watermelon Popsicle comes in at only about 60 calories, making it a healthy treat you can savor and share with everyone.
Exercise has a long list of health benefits, and everyone wants to get the most out of their workout routine. The ideal scenario is one where you can boost your workout productivity so you can see the biggest results with the least amount of time and effort spent.
While a lot of workout advice focuses on how to recover after exercise, workout productivity is often a result of what happens before you hit the gym. And that’s where some caffeine can make the difference.
When consumed about 45 minutes before working out, natural caffeine is the secret sauce of maximizing your athletic performance. Here are 6 ways caffeine can give your workout a boost…
One of the main benefits you will notice right away with caffeine before exercise is that it will improve your performance. One study published in Sports Medicine, for example, concluded that caffeine is a powerful ergogenic aid—in other words, caffeine improves exercise performance (1).
The study specifically noted that caffeine can allow athletes to train with more power and for longer durations without getting fatigued. Another study echoed the ergogenic effects of caffeine with improved results in cyclists (2).
If you exercise to get lean and trim down, research suggests that caffeine can help expedite your goals by stimulating fat loss. Taking caffeine before exercise can help you burn more calories.
One study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, found that athletes who took caffeine before exercise burned around 15% more calories following a workout compared to those who didn’t supplement with caffeine (3).
Pre-workout caffeine can also encourage your body to use fat cells as a source of energy. It accomplishes this by stimulating your nervous system to release norepinephrine (4). In turn, the spike in norepinephrine encourages the breakdown of fat cells.
Research suggests that caffeine can also improve your circulation. One team of Japanese researchers discovered that drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee improved capillary circulation by 30 percent (5).
So how does this help your workouts? When you have better circulation, your tissues have more oxygen and other essential nutrients. As a result, your muscles will have a higher level of performance throughout a workout.
Your muscles use a compound called glycogen for energy. The more you exert yourself during a workout, the more glycogen you use. The problem is, your body doesn’t have an unlimited supply of glycogen.
When you use up all your glycogen, your muscles become fatigued and weak. Research has found that caffeine combined with carbohydrates can improve how much glycogen is resupplied to your muscles after a workout (6).
This means your muscles will have significantly more energy the next time you exercise. So, you can work out several days in a row without muscle fatigue getting in the way.
Sometimes having the motivation to drag yourself to the gym or out for a walk is the biggest challenge of them all. Especially when you’re exhausted or not in the right mood. This is where caffeine shines.
A large body of evidence shows that caffeine can boost your energy and alertness, giving you the nudge you need to get moving (7).
Had a bad day at work? Bored of your current workout routine? Supplementing with natural caffeine sources such as green tea or coffee before your workout can make all the difference.
As you age, you lose muscle mass much easier. It’s an unfortunate biological fact. The good news is, caffeine in addition to exercise can help preserve your muscle tissues from degrading.
When you consume caffeine, it triggers the release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF (8). Among many other tasks, BDNF is shown to play a role in muscle regeneration (9). Which means caffeine may help prevent muscle loss.
Observational evidence supports this notion as well. One study in Korea, for example, found that people who consistently drank coffee experienced considerably less muscle loss (sarcopenia) (10).
Not all sources of caffeine are created equal. Sure, gulping down an energy drink may give you a temporary surge in energy, but energy drinks are horrible for your health otherwise.
Energy drinks and sodas are not only loaded with sugar and other toxic ingredients, they are spiked with synthetic caffeine that is made in Chinese factories, and may only sabotage your performance in the long run.
So, what are healthy sources of caffeine? Green tea tops the list as not only does it provide natural caffeine, it comes with beneficial catechins including EGCG, which supports fat burning.
Regular coffee also works, with anywhere between 70 to 180mg of natural caffeine per cup depending on the brew and brand (11). Make sure to opt for organic blends as both conventional tea and coffee are heavily sprayed with toxic pesticides.
Another good option is to pick an organic supplement with natural caffeine botanicals, including green tea and green coffee extract. Green coffee is preferred since it also provides chlorogenic acid, which has antioxidant properties and supports healthy metabolism (12).
Start the day with a delightfully creamy latte that gives you the fuel to power through your to-do list. Over 20g of plant protein satisfies any hunger pangs, plus energizing MCTs help to crush mid-morning cravings. It’s a delicious way to get a quick coffee fix and the goodness your body needs.
1 banana (can also be chopped & frozen) 2 to 3 ice cubes (if using fresh banana) ¾ cup (6 oz.) of almond milk ½ to 1 teaspoon organic instant coffee powder 1 tablespoon almond butter 2 scoops Organic Super Protein
Coffee gives the latte its signature flavor, natural caffeine to get your circuits going, and antioxidant support.
Banana adds a smooth creamy texture, a touch of sweetness, and potassium to replenish minerals. Almond butter gives a mild nutty flavor and comes with natural vitamin E.
Two scoops of Organic Super Protein provide 18g of plant protein sourced from organic superfoods, energizing MCTs that satisfy cravings, and organic omegas to support heart health.
With just a few minutes of prep, you can have a power smoothie that satisfies your coffee fix AND gives you nourishing superfoods to get your day started on the right track.
Recipe by Jen Hulett. Touchstone Essentials’ Chief Creative Officer takes her creativity into the kitchen to create tasty recipes full of goodness.
The weed killer glyphosate—infamously known as Roundup—can be found everywhere: lawns, gardens, parks, soil, rivers and even in the rain (1). But household use of this herbicide is dwarfed by its use in agriculture. And herein lies the problem.
Over the past several years, scientists have discovered that exposure to glyphosate-containing weed killers is a huge threat to public health. And it’s a risk that keeps growing.
The rise of GMO crops—including corn, soy, and canola—has led to a skyrocketing use of glyphosate with almost 300 million pounds applied each year (2). Genetically engineered crops (GMOs) were designed to withstand this toxic herbicide, so it can be sprayed and kill the weeds but not the crop.
But this weed killer is not just used on GMO foods. A variety of non-organic crops including wheat, oats, rye, peas and millet may all be treated with glyphosate to ready the crops for harvesting (3).
The result is that this weed killer has become an unwelcome and often unknown addition to virtually all the food we eat (4).
That bowl of oat cereal for breakfast? It comes with a sprinkling of glyphosate. Testing by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that every single sample of oat-based products they tested showed levels of glyphosate.
Image: Environmental Working Group (EWG)
Some of these samples had shockingly high levels of glyphosate. For example, the Quaker Oatmeal Squares Honey Nut cereal showed a result of 2,837 ppb (parts per billion), far above the 160 ppb that the EWG considers safe (5).
Planning on a sandwich for lunch? You’re likely getting a slice of glyphosate with your bread. Testing by the UK government revealed that 60% of bread sold there had pesticide residues, most frequently, glyphosate (6).
And no matter what you plan for dinner, chances are you’ll get a serving of glyphosate too. Testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency found glyphosate in 30 percent of all foods sampled (7).
When you consider you may be eating some glyphosate at every meal, the level of exposure becomes quite worrisome.
According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), glyphosate is classified as “probably carcinogenic” (8). This may explain why eating organic is linked to a reduced risk of cancer.
In August 2018, a heated court case opened the world’s eyes to the potential cancer risk of Monsanto’s glyphosate-containing weed killers (9).
A California court ordered Monsanto to pay $289 million in damages to a man dying of cancer. Dewayne Johnson, a 46-year-old father, developed a severe and fatal form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As a school groundskeeper, he was repeatedly exposed to Monsanto’s Roundup and several other glyphosate-based weed killers.
But cancer isn’t the only concern with glyphosate. Researchers have found links between glyphosate and many different health issues.
Glyphosate is associated with rising rates of gluten intolerance (10)
Research shows glyphosate can negatively affect the microbiome in the gut, which creates a pathway for diseases to develop (11)
Studies in mice showed glyphosate promotes anxiety and depressive-like behaviors (12)
Research on human cell lines show that glyphosate harms human cells by disrupting their protective membrane (13)
Animal studies show that glyphosate can reduce mitochondrial function and negatively affect neurotransmitter activity (14)
The thing is, glyphosate isn’t the only concern. That’s because glyphosate interacts with the other ingredients in weed killer products, which can make it even more dangerous.
Glyphosate is rarely used on its own. It’s usually combined with a cocktail of proprietary “inert ingredients” that result in what we know as a chemical weed killer or herbicide.
According to Caroline Cox, research director of the Center for Environmental Health, the term “inert ingredient” is completely misleading (15). Cox explains that Federal regulations label any pesticide ingredients that don’t harm pests as “inert.” But that doesn’t mean inert chemicals are safe.
Research shows commercially available herbicides are much more toxic than glyphosate alone. One “inert ingredient” in some variations of Roundup is called polyethoxylated tallow amines or POEAs. This chemical surfactant was found to express a variety of toxic effects to humans (16).
”Monsanto should not have to vouchsafe the safety of biotech food, our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is the F.D.A.’s job.’‘ ~A quote from a Monsanto Executive in the New York Times.
The court case with Dewayne Johnson not only exposed the dangers of glyphosate-based herbicides, but also how Monsanto has allegedly covered up the dangers.
Whenever a study was published that revealed the dangers of glyphosate herbicides, Monsanto “pushed its version of the science into the public realm through ghostwritten work that was designed to appear independent and thus more credible” according to The Guardian.
The Guardian’s report also mentioned evidence was put forth that indicated the company allegedly worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency to suppress the evidence of potential harm.
So not only was Monsanto found responsible for Dewayne Johnson’s cancer, but the jury also determined that there was “’clear and convincing evidence’ that Monsanto’s officials acted with ‘malice or oppression’ in failing to adequately warn of the risks,” reported The Guardian.
Since glyphosate-based weed killer residues can be found seemingly everywhere, it’s impossible to completely avoid it. What you can do is minimize your exposure to protect your health.
Most importantly, purchase organic food whenever possible. If you’re on a budget, aim to buy these 15 foods as organic, as they typically have the highest contamination levels for pesticides and herbicides.
Invest in a reverse osmosis filter or other filter that can remove glyphosate, along with toxic heavy metals from your water.
When it comes to staying safe from weed killers, consistency is key. The effects of weed killers aren’t likely to happen overnight unless you’re exposed to large amounts of it. It’s the constant chronic exposure in our food supply that presents a long-term risk.
To date, more than 1.7 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed worldwide, with over 100,000 deaths, and many more new coronavirus cases are emerging on a daily basis. Already more than 500,000 cases have been confirmed within the United States with thousands of deaths. And health officials fear this is just the tip of the iceberg (1).
On Monday, March 2, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Tom Frieden declared, “Never before has a new pathogen emerged and caused a global spread like this. It has the ability to cause enormous social and economic disruption.”
It doesn’t help that this new coronavirus may have been circulating undetected in the United States, possibly for weeks. Or that test kits from the CDC were flawed and limited in number, so cases may have slipped through the net (2).
On Tuesday, March 3, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the mortality rate of the virus was much higher than previous estimates, an alarming 3.4% (3). Finally, on Wednesday, March 11 the WHO declared the coronavirus a global pandemic.
While many cases (an estimated 80%) are mild, the number of severe and critical cases is very worrisome. Research shows people over 60 and those with underlying health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes are at the greatest risk.
Public health officials in the U.S. have moved to try and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, with school closures, quarantines, and travel disruptions. Already some store shelves are empty of supplies. On Friday, March 13, President Trump declared a national emergency to free up resources and funds to fight the rapid spread of cases and the economic impact. And now, the United States is considered the epicenter of the pandemic with the most confirmed cases in the world.
Yes, this is a new virus, and there are a lot of unknowns for the days and months ahead. But there are also some tried and true strategies that can help you be prepared and stay safe. Here are 7 top virus protection tips.
1. Wash Your Hands
Like other viruses, the majority of coronavirus infections may not happen from breathing viral droplets. Instead, most infections will come from your own hands. Or rather, from what your hands came in contact with.
Viral particles attach and stick to surfaces that we unconsciously touch – a door handle, a receipt, a coffee cup. And then we touch our faces, introducing the virus to our eyes, nose or mouth.
That’s why it’s vital to wash your hands often, with soap and water. Every time before you eat or drink, and really scrub them for about 20 seconds. This simple step can greatly reduce your chances of viral transmission.
2. Get Enough Sleep
What does sleep have to do with staying safe from viruses? It’s simple… without enough restful sleep your immune system is depressed and more vulnerable to viruses, and research shows that includes coronaviruses.
A study published in the prestigious JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who had less than 7 hours of sleep were 3 times more likely to develop a cold—a type of coronavirus—than those who had 8+ hours a night (4).
If you don’t come in contact with people who have signs of respiratory illnesses, your chances of catching one are greatly reduced. That means not shaking hands or getting close to someone who is coughing or sneezing.
Right now, most people with the sniffles are unlikely to have the coronavirus, but taking precautions such as avoiding packed trains, elevators or other places where personal space is compromised is a sensible step.
And when you do encounter coughing people, turn away if possible, and make a note to avoid touching your face until you can wash your hands thoroughly.
4. Manage Stress Levels
Life can be stressful enough on any given day. Add a new coronavirus into the mix and it’s hard not to worry that the world as we know it could end.
But using stress management techniques that work is vital. That’s because stress can weaken your immune system. In fact, researchers discovered that stress lowered all aspects of immunity, making it more likely you’ll get sick (5).
One of the best ways to keep calm is to include CBD-rich hemp oil in your day since cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to be effective against stress (6).
5. Eat More Fruits & Veggies
Most emergency supplies consist of canned tuna and processed soup. Sure, it’ll give you calories, but not much else. Now’s the time to invest a little extra in good quality nutrition.
Organic berries (stock up on frozen), and organic green veggies are nature’s multivitamins. They come complete with the right blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants your body needs to stay healthy.
Short on time and space? Superfood powders are a shortcut to boost intake due to the high number of veggies and low cost per serving. And research shows drinking an organic green juice every day has huge health benefits.
Adding a few extra canisters of Super Green Juice or Organic Super Protein to your supplies can give you dozens of nutrient-dense smoothies without taking up much shelf space.
6. Detox Daily with Zeolite
Toxins are one of the little-known ways that your immune system can underperform. Research shows that heavy metals such as lead can decrease the number of NK (natural killer) cells, lowering immunity (7).
Clinoptilolite zeolite is renowned for detoxing heavy metals, and a wide range of health benefits. Initial clinical research suggests that natural zeolite Clinoptilolite may also have antiviral properties. This research showed that Clinoptilolite zeolite inhibited viral proliferation of several types of viruses (8).
Zeolite has not been tested against coronaviruses, and currently there is no approved treatment for covid-19. What we do know is that by removing toxins, the right zeolite can support your immune system and overall wellness.
7. Strengthen Your Immune System
The difference between a mild case of coronavirus and one that is more severe may very well come down to how someone’s immune system responds.
That’s why many of the previous steps speak to the importance of your own immune system being strong enough to evade and fight off any pathogens. Read our complete seasonal immunity guide here to stay healthy.
We’re in this together,
This article is provided for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. You are encouraged to form your own conclusions based on reputable sources. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Early research shows promising signs that a product made from cannabis known as cannabidiol (CBD) oil may help relieve anxiety. CBD is a type of cannabinoid, a chemical found naturally in marijuana and hemp plants. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another type of cannabinoid, CBD doesn’t cause any feelings of intoxication or the “high” you may associate with cannabis. Learn more about the potential benefits of CBD oil for anxiety, and whether it could be a treatment option for you.
CBD oil is
thought to work with a brain receptor called CB1. Receptors are tiny proteins
attached to your cells that receive chemical signals from different stimuli and
help your cells respond.
The exact
way CBD affects CB1 is not fully understood. However, it’s thought that it
alters serotonin signals. Serotonin is one of your body’s chemicals and plays a
role in your mental health. Low serotonin levels are common in depression. Not
having enough serotonin can also cause anxiety in some people.
The
conventional treatment for low serotonin is prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs). Zoloft and Prozac are both SSRIs. CBD, for some people, may be an
alternative to SSRIs for anxiety management. However, you should talk to your
doctor before making changes to your treatment plan.
Several
studies point to the potential benefits of CBD for anxiety. For generalized anxiety, the National Institute on Drug Abuse
says that CBD has been shown to reduce stress in animal studies. Study subjects
were observed as having lower behavioral signs of anxiety. Their physiological symptoms of anxiety, like increased heart
rate, also improved.
In 2011, a
human study on CBD and its effects on SAD was published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Participants
were given either an oral dose of 400 milligrams of CBD or a placebo. The
results showed that those who took the CBD dose experienced overall reduced
anxiety levels.
On the other
hand, a 2017 comprehensive review of
CBD studies in psychiatric disorders found inconclusive results. According to
the authors, there isn’t enough evidence to claim CBD as a treatment for
depression. However, the authors do note positive results for anxiety
disorders. Based on their review, more human tests are needed to better
understand how it works, what ideal dosages should be, and if there are
potential side effects or hazards.
CBD has also
been studied in other neurological disorders. A 2016 study found some antipsychotic benefits of CBD
in schizophrenia. The authors indicated a preference for CBD over antipsychotic
drugs, which are known to cause significant debilitating side effects.
