CBD

10 Common Toxins in Cosmetics

Formulated to highlight features, accentuate the eyes, and lengthen lashes, cosmetics are designed to emphasize natural beauty. However, much of the makeup industry hides an ugly truth: those beauty products can be laced with toxins that undermine health.

The skin is the body’s largest organ, and while it acts as a physical barrier to keep us safe, it’s not an impenetrable shield. When you apply sunscreen, lotions, and makeup, ingredients readily pass through the skin and into the bloodstream. It’s an especially challenging issue since many women wear makeup and apply these types of products every day.

To help you navigate the unsafe world of cosmetics, check out the list of 10 of the most dangerous toxins commonly found in makeup. At the end, you’ll also see how to check your favorite products to make sure they’re safe.

1. Heavy Metals

Heavy metals can cause substantial damage and accumulate in your tissues. At higher doses, heavy metals can cause brain damage, cancer, and organ failure (1). At lower doses, they can contribute to inflammation, fatigue, and even cause your skin to age more quickly.

Many makeup products (including eye shadow, lipstick, and lip gloss) contain heavy metals like lead, cadmium, nickel, mercury, and chromium. A study conducted by Safe Cosmetics, for example, found that over 60% of lipsticks contain the toxic heavy metal lead (2).

2. Phthalates (Fragrance)

While a cosmetic company may label its ingredients, phthalates are often hiding under the vague description of “fragrance.” Found in perfume, lotions, or any product with added fragrance, phthalates are a type of hormone-disrupting chemical.

Numerous studies have linked phthalates to birth defects, breast cancer, a decreased IQ, obesity, autism, and neurological issues  (3, 4, 5). Check labels and avoid applying perfume to skin.

3. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

Many beauty products contain formaldehyde-based preservatives which break down over time, releasing formaldehyde—a volatile organic compound (VOC) that’s known to cause cancer and asthma (6, 7). If your cosmetics have a label, keep an eye out for chemicals such as DMDM hydantoin, bromopol, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, quaternium-15, and glyoxal. They’re most commonly in mascara and nail polish.

4. Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs)

Polyethylene glycols create the creamy texture we expect in many cosmetics as they are used as thickeners and softeners (8). For this reason, they are commonly found in hair mousse and lotions. These petroleum-based compounds may be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane which can harm the nervous system and interfere with human development (9).

5. BHT & BHA

While these two chemical preservatives are banned in the European Union, they are still commonly used in the US, found in cosmetics including eyeliner, eyeshadows and other makeup (10). Numerous studies have found that these two chemicals are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, organ damage, and reproductive harm (11, 12). Much like heavy metals, they can accumulate in the body, leading to greater harm over time.

6. Siloxanes

Siloxanes are chemicals often used in cosmetics to soften, smooth, and moisten. For this reason, they are often found in deodorant and foundation. They are also used in hair products to help them dry more quickly.

Depending on how they’re modified in the lab, there’s evidence that siloxanes can disrupt your hormones, cause reproductive harm, damage the immune system, and reduce fertility (13). If there’s an ingredients label, look out for anything that ends in siloxane or methicone.

7. Octinoxate or Oxybenzone

Octinoxate and Oxybenzone are chemicals commonly used to filter UVB light from the sun and are usually found in sunscreens. This chemical is rapidly absorbed through the skin. Evidence suggests that exposure can disrupt your hormones and cripple the function of your thyroid (14).

8. P-Phenylenediamine (PPD)

This chemical can cause allergic reactions on the skin and damage the DNA of your cells. Over time, cellular DNA damage can cause cells to mutate into cancer cells (15). Since p-phenylenediamine is a common hair dye ingredient, scientists have observed a correlation between hair dye and multiple forms of cancer like ovarian, breast, and bladder (16, 17, 18).

9. Carbon Black

This pigment is an ingredient used in many eyeliner, eyeshadow, and mascara products. Carbon black is made from the partial combustion of various carbon-containing materials. It gives eyeliner its flat black coloring. Exposure to this chemical is linked to cancer and organ toxicity (19). Pigments are also commonly contaminated with heavy metals such as lead.

10. Benzophenone

Commonly used to protect cosmetics from deteriorating due to sun exposure, this chemical is linked to hormone disruption, organ toxicity, and reproductive harm (20, 21).

Protecting Your Health

Given the vast quantity of ingredients used and huge range of cosmetic products on the market, it’s impossible to eliminate your exposure to every toxin. The good news is that awareness has grown about the issue of toxins in cosmetics, and there are resources you can use to reduce your exposure.

You can check the clean rating of your personal cosmetic products (or individual ingredients) on the EWG Skin Deep database. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is another valuable resource to avoid toxins in cosmetics.

Avoiding toxins is vital. But often, it’s not enough. If you’re like most people, you have already been using cosmetics for much of your life. Since many of the toxins found in cosmetics bioaccumulate, it’s important to detoxify or remove them from your body.

To support your body’s detoxification process, use natural mineral zeolite that has been cleansed and nanosized for cellular detox. A rare negatively-charged mineral, the zeolite Clinoptilolite binds to positively-charged toxins like a magnet, so toxins can be safely and gently flushed out of the body.

By choosing safer cosmetics, and detoxing the body, you may experience improved whole-body health
By djgriffiths, ago

5 Ways CBD Oil Can Help You Lose Weight

Reaching your ideal weight can be a huge challenge. At times, it might even seem impossible. People often hold this perspective on weight loss because they can’t seem to succeed despite their best efforts. Rest assured, if you’re one of these people, the problem isn’t you. The problem lies in your strategy.

Just like with evidence-based strategies to get a lean tummy, more often than not, weight loss is about the little evidence-based habits that add up to profound change.

If you’re already working on healthy habits, CBD Oil may tip the scales in your favor thanks to five key benefits that support weight loss.

1. CBD Oil May Help You Burn More Calories

Research suggests that the cannabidiol (CBD) in hemp can affect your metabolism, which could make it much easier to shed unwanted pounds.

One Korean study published in the journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry discovered that CBD can affect specific proteins and genes in such a way that promotes lipolysis and reduces lipogenesis. In other words, CBD both promoted the breakdown of fat cells and discouraged the generation of new fat cells (1).

But that’s not all. The Korean researchers also discovered that CBD can modulate the body’s metabolism by promoting fat browning. A process where white fat is converted into brown fat. Why does that matter?

White fat is the type of fat that stores lots of energy. It forms when you consume too many calories and don’t exercise enough. You know, it’s the stuff you wish would go away when looking in the mirror. Brown fat, however, has a high number of mitochondria. This type of fat actually burns calories and can help you maintain a lean, healthy weight (2).

2. CBD Oil May Ease Temporary Inflammation

Inflammation and carrying excess weight often go hand-in-hand. This association is well-established in the scientific community. In fact, a simple search in the US National Library of Medicine results in over 10,000 articles on the topic (S). Without getting into the nitty-gritty science of this relationship, here’s a quick overview of some popular studies:

  • Elevated inflammatory markers are often associated with future weight gain (3).
  • Inflammation begins in fat cells themselves. As fat mass expands, inflammation proportionally increases (4).
  • Inflammation causes insulin resistance (5), which in turn can promote obesity (6).

With this in mind, it makes sense that managing inflammation could help you maintain a healthy weight. This is where CBD oil comes into play. Researchers have found that the CBD in hemp may ease temporary inflammation by targeting α3 glycine receptors in the body (7).

The strong relationship between inflammation and weight gain is also why scientists have proposed that diets high in anti-inflammatory foods could help treat obesity (8).

3. CBD Oil May Improve Sleep Quality

When you’re looking to lose weight, sleep is probably the last thing you would think of, but it shouldn’t be. That’s because studies have found that decreased sleep duration and quality are associated with weight gain (9, 10). In some cases, it also increases the risk of obesity.

Experts believe this happens for several reasons. One of them being that reduced sleep duration and quality results in more fatigue. Less energy throughout the day means you will be less likely to exercise. Other studies have found that sleep deprivation can cause fluctuations in the hormones leptin and ghrelin which can increase your appetite (11).

Since poor sleep quality and deprivation can increase your weight, it makes sense to do the opposite: improve the quality of your sleep. CBD Oil may be the answer. Research has found that the CBD in hemp can have a positive impact on your sleep.

One systematic review, for example, found that CBD was effective at treating the symptoms of insomnia (12). That means CBD shows promise for reducing the time it takes to fall asleep, preventing disrupted sleep or nighttime waking, and improving daytime tiredness.

4. CBD Oil May Melt Away Stress

Stress is another important component of maintaining a healthy weight that people often overlook. Every time you get stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. In small doses, this is fine. But if you’re constantly stressed out, this chronic release of cortisol can cause you to gain a considerable amount of weight. One study even found that elevated cortisol levels from chronic stress can increase the accumulation of fat around your midsection (13).

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) also plays an important role in stress adaptation—or how you cope with stress (14). Cannabinoids such as CBD bind to receptors in the endocannabinoid system to balance the body. And research shows that CBD can significantly decrease the levels of cortisol in the body to help reduce the effects of stress (15).

5. CBD Oil May Reduce Oxidative Stress

The cannabinoids, including CBD, in hemp are also known to be powerful antioxidants (16). This means they can protect your body from oxidative stress. Why does this matter? Adipose tissue, or fat cells, can ramp up the body’s production of reactive oxygen species, or ROS (17). In turn, these ROS can cause oxidative stress and promote inflammation (18), which can result in weight gain.

In theory, this means the more weight you carry, the harder it is to lose. All thanks to oxidative stress. To drive this point further, studies have even shown that diets high in antioxidants have positive effects on weight loss (19, 20). Which is why antioxidant-rich hemp oil may help with weight loss.

The Bottom Line

CBD Oil is becoming an increasingly popular dietary supplement due to the growing body of scientific research that supports its benefits. This article specifically focused on the evidence supporting CBD oil’s ability to help you maintain a healthy weight.

Research suggests CBD oil does this by boosting your metabolism, promoting fat browning, easing temporary inflammation, improving sleep quality, reducing stress, and acting as an antioxidant in the body. All of this suggests that CBD Oil may have multiple benefits for your waistline.

By djgriffiths, ago

Calming CBD Minty Hot Chocolate

When it’s cold outside, hot chocolate is a comforting way to warm your spirits and your insides. And with calming CBD Oil in every delicious sip, our minty chocolate elixir is sure to give you back your glow.
Packed with organic goodness, our vegan hot chocolate recipe will satisfy your sweet tooth, and help you slay stress. Drink in the morning for a better way to start your day, or in the evening hours to warm up chilly nights.

Calming CBD Minty Hot Chocolate

  • 1 cup (8 oz.) organic unsweetened plant-based milk (pea or oat is creamiest)
  • 1 organic pure mint tea bag (we like Numi Moroccan Mint)
  • ½ tsp. organic cocoa powder (add more for extra chocolate flavor)
  • 1 tsp. organic maple syrup
  • Dash of organic plant-based creamer (we prefer coconut)
  • 1 dropperful (1 mL) of Calm Premium CBD Oil (25mg CBD)

Instructions

Pour the cup of milk in a small saucepan, then add the mint tea bag (wrap the string around handle) and heat on stove. Remove from heat before it boils, swirl milk around pan and let the tea bag steep for 5 minutes to infuse the milk with natural mint flavor.

Remove tea bag and into the milk whisk ½ teaspoon (or more to your taste) of cocoa powder, along with 1 teaspoon of maple syrup. Pour minty hot chocolate into a mug and stir in 1 dropperful of Calm Premium CBD Oil for 25mg of minty calming CBD. Sit back and enjoy!

Rich in flavor and soothing superfoods, our minty hot chocolate helps to ease the stresses of everyday life. Mint is recognized for its ability to soothe digestive distress, while cannabidiol (CBD) Oil is renowned for how it calms stress. Together, they create a cozy and healthy comfort food.
By djgriffiths, ago

Protecting Yourself from Toxic PFAS

Toxic chemicals. Rising cases of sickness. A shocking cover up. It has the makings of a Hollywood movie. Indeed, the release of the blockbuster film Dark Waters had all of these gripping plot points, based on the true story of how a toxic chemical called PFOA contaminated a West Virginia town’s water supply.

Thanks in part to the movie and increased media attention about toxic chemicals, more communities across the U.S. are discovering their drinking water may be contaminated by PFOA or one of the other related chemicals in a category called PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances).

Whether you know it or not, it’s likely you already have PFAS in your body. The CDC estimates that as many as 97% of Americans have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood (1).

Most PFAS are Toxic Forever Chemicals

Scientists have found that PFAS never degrade or break down (2). For this reason, PFAS are dubbed “forever chemicals.” This means once PFAS get into the environment, they persist virtually forever. And research shows that it takes years before any PFAS starts to leave your body (3).

The problem is that this issue has been undetected for decades. For the past 60 years, industrial companies used PFAS for a wide range of applications. This includes carpet protectants, food packaging, pesticides, non-stick cookware, waterproof textiles, stain repellants, and pesticides.

Companies had the public convinced that these chemicals were completely safe. But it turns out that multiple organizations have suppressed the truth about PFAS to protect their profits (4).

Thanks to several independently funded studies, researchers have now uncovered the cold hard truth: PFAS have poisoned the environment on a global scale and are a serious threat to virtually every person on this planet.

The Pervasive Reach of PFAS

Once PFAS get into the environment, they readily make their way into the food chain, going from the factory floor to drinking water and even the dinner table with ease.

PFAS leach into the environment from a wide range of sources. This includes landfills, factories, and military bases. From these sites, PFAS contaminate the air, soil, and water.

Due to the fact that PFAS are water soluble, they readily leach into groundwater and travel far. One report in the prestigious scientific journal Nature revealed that “PFAS were found in the drinking water of more than 16 million Americans in 33 states” (5). And experts believe that due to a lack of data in many states, these numbers are grossly underestimated (6).

But you don’t even have to have PFAS in your water supply to be exposed. People often turn to bottled water either for convenience or because they have concerns about the quality of their tap water. Yet recent tests show that many bottled water brands tested positive for PFAS (7).

Unfortunately, water isn’t the only way you can get exposed to PFAS. These forever chemicals can also make their way into your body through eating food cooked in non-stick cookware or from the dust within your own home.

Even worse, PFAS have invaded the food chain. Research shows that food wrappers used in take-out or fast-food packaging have PFAS, meaning you get a dose of toxic chemicals with every bite (8).

The Alarming Health Effects of PFAS

PFAS chemicals are readily absorbed by your gut. And when they get in the bloodstream, they stick around for a very long time. Some of these toxins are shown to stay in the body for up to 15 years before they are excreted (9).

Reports published by the National Center for Environmental Health have also found PFAS in samples of human blood, urine, breast milk and even in umbilical cord blood (10). This means these chemicals are, without a doubt, making their way from the environment into humans.

Once these chemicals make their way into your system, they can cause a great deal of harm (11). Scientists have found that exposure to PFAS is linked to:

How Can You Minimize the Risks from PFAS?

It’s clear that PFAS are bad news. To make matters worse, it’s virtually impossible to completely avoid exposure. But there are steps you take to minimize the risks from PFAS and support your body’s detoxification efforts.

Avoid exposure to PFAS by ditching non-stick cookware, avoiding packaged food when possible, using an air filter in your home, and opting for organic cleaning products since standard cleaning chemicals can contain PFAS as well.

Since one of the most likely exposure points is drinking water, avoid bottled water when possible, and drink water that has been filtered. The most effective filtration system to remove PFAS is reverse osmosis, but that can be expensive. The next most effective system is an activated carbon filter (14).

Activated carbon filters work through adsorption. Basically, the PFAS stick to the surface of the activated carbon and are therefore filtered out.

Detoxifying with Natural Zeolite

Much in the same way that activated carbon filters out PFAS in water, natural mineral zeolite can act as a filter for toxins in the body. The natural zeolite Clinoptilolite is a powerful yet gentle detoxifier for long-term daily use.

A natural mineral formed from volcanic deposits, zeolites have long been used for their ability to attract and trap toxins. When cleansed and nanosized for optimal absorption, this zeolite can detoxify the body to a cellular level.

Zeolite detoxifies the body in two key ways. As a negatively-charged mineral, it works through cationic exchange. Like a magnet, it attracts positively-charged toxins and holds them within its crystalline structure. It also works via adsorption, where toxins stick to the outside of the zeolite, before passing through the body.

While studies are limited, evidence suggests that zeolite adsorbs PFAS, working to remove toxic chemicals from aqueous solutions (15, 16). Long renowned for its ability to remove heavy metals, zeolite may also be a safe and simple way to potentially reduce your exposure to PFAS.

Given that PFAS lingers in the body for years, and has known damaging health effects, it’s vital to reduce your exposure to these toxic chemicals. Seek out information from your local water supply and reduce exposure through using a water filter and avoiding PFAS-laced food packaging. Adding nanosized natural zeolite is another way to help reduce your body’s toxic burden and optimize your well-bein
By djgriffiths, ago

CBD Oil’s Stunning Impact on Your Brain

CBD oil is rapidly becoming one of the most popular supplements in the world. To date, hundreds of scientific studies have looked at the benefits of CBD (cannabidiol) oil. Research has consistently found that CBD oil soothes the effects of temporary inflammation, combats stress, eases joint discomfort, and even promotes a healthy heart.  

But the benefits don’t end there. Scientists have recently discovered that CBD can cross the blood-brain barrier(1). What does this mean for your brain?

CBD oil has the ability to directly impact the health of your brain. Most compounds are limited in their benefit because they do not cross the blood-brain barrier. However, CBD has huge potential for enhancing the function of your brain. There are five specific ways CBD can benefit your brain.

5 Ways CBD Oil Benefits the Brain

CBD Enhances Neurogenesis

For decades, neuroscientists believed that once you reached adulthood, the brain stopped making new brain cells. But new research has proven them wrong (2).

Your brain is capable of producing new cells throughout your life in a process called neurogenesis (3). This process is critical for maintaining a healthy brain, learning, memory, and preventing diseases of the brain like Alzheimer’s (4).  

The challenge is that neurogenesis slows down as you grow older (5). Eventually this creates a deficit in new brain cells and compromises the function of your mind. In certain cases, this is the reason why some people experience cognitive decline in their old age.  

The good news is, animal studies suggests that CBD can stimulate neurogenesis by increasing the levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF (6).

In addition to stimulating the production of new, healthy brain cells, CBD may also prevent the decline of neurogenesis caused by stress (7). Due to these effects, taking CBD oil could help keep your mind young, quick, and healthy.

CBD Protects Your Brain

One of the ways CBD produces its beneficial effects is by delaying the reuptake of the neurotransmitters anandamide and adenosine (8). This, in turn, increases the amount of anandamide and adenosine in the brain.

Scientists believe that the elevation of these neurotransmitters results in a neuroprotective effect (1). In other words, CBD could protect the brain from harm. What kind of harm?

Your body and brain are constantly under attack from environmental toxins, inflammatory foods, and oxidative stress. All of which can result in damaged nerve cells that can compromise the function of your brain. Substances with a neuroprotective effect like CBD can negate this damage to help keep your brain healthy and strong.

CBD Alleviates Stress

Chronic stress is a sworn enemy of a healthy functioning brain. Stress impairs your memory, your ability to learn new skills, and can also increase forgetfulness (9, 10). Studies have also found that chronic stress increases the risk of developing mental illnesses like depression and anxiety (11).

So, if you want your brain to function at an optimal state, managing your stress levels will make all the difference. A growing body of research suggests that CBD is one of the easiest and most effective ways to alleviate stress.

According to Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist and medical scientist, CBD stimulates the endocannabinoid system (12). This system plays a critical role in your ability to cope with stress (13).

When the endocannabinoid system is underactive, you’re more likely to experience high levels of stress (14). But when it’s stimulated with CBD oil, the opposite effect can occur—you become more resistant to the effects of stress.

This would explain why CBD oil supplementation is shown to decrease the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) in people who experience high amounts of stress (15).  

CBD Can Improve Your Mood

By altering the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, CBD can elevate your mood to new heights. One way which CBD can lift your spirits is through its ability to manage your stress levels (as explained above).

Think back on the last time stress got the best of you. How was your mood? When you get stressed to the point of being overwhelmed, it sabotages your happiness and replaces it with anger, frustration, or hopelessness. So, when stress is kept at bay with CBD oil, you can expect to have a more stable mood.

Animal research has also shown that CBD can increase the amount of serotonin in the brain (16). Serotonin is called the “happy chemical” due to the fact that it significantly impacts your mood, overall sense of well-being, learning, and several other feel-good sensations (17).

CBD May Ease Neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation, as the name implies, occurs when your nervous system or brain becomes inflamed. In small doses, neuroinflammation is helpful for encouraging tissue repair and fighting pathogens.

But when neuroinflammation becomes constant, issues arise. It can damage or kill brain cells, accelerate brain aging, and compromise how well your brain functions with basic tasks (18, 19).

One scientific review of over 110 studies, for example, noted that CBD may help by increasing the amount of anandamide in the brain (20). Another animal-based study found CBD can help to reduce neuroinflammation after a stroke (21).

The Bottom Line

CBD oil is becoming one of the world’s most popular wellness supplements. Scientific studies have discovered that CBD has a wide variety of beneficial effects. This explains why so many people swear by CBD oil for easing joint discomfort, muscle aches, and temporary inflammation.

But the benefits go well beyond these common uses. Most people don’t realize CBD oil has a powerful effect on your brain as well. It protects your brain cells from damage, it encourages the regeneration of healthy brain tissue and enhances your mood. In doing so, CBD oil can help you become the best version of yourself by unlocking your true biological potential.

By djgriffiths, ago

7 Reasons Why You Need More Deep Sleep

Have you ever woken up in the morning feeling completely exhausted even after a full night’s sleep? More often than not, this isn’t because you need more sleep. It’s because you aren’t getting enough deep sleep. But what counts as deep sleep and how much should you get each night?

While you’re sleeping, you cycle through several different stages of sleep. One of these stages is deep sleep. Some scientists also call it slow-wave sleep, or non-REM stage 3 sleep.

The thing is, very few people get enough deep sleep. Technology, modern-day stresses, caffeine, and unhealthy eating patterns all decrease the amount of deep sleep you get and can result in chronic sleep deprivation.

Many wearable devices now track your sleep patterns, showing the amount and type of your sleep. While not fully reliable they can help indicate if you’re reaching the optimal level of 1.5 to 2 hours of deep sleep each night.

Getting enough deep sleep can make a huge difference in your life. Here are 7 of the most important benefits of deep sleep, followed by ways you can improve your chances of more restful sleep.

1. Enhanced Immune Function

All stages of sleep are essential for a properly functioning immune system. When you are sleep deprived, your immune system is weakened (1, 2). This makes you much more likely to get sick.

Scientists are still trying to figure out what each stage of sleep accomplishes for the immune system. So far, they have discovered that deep sleep plays an important role in the formation of immunological memory (3).

In other words, deep sleep helps your immune system develop a “memory” for bacteria and viruses you have been exposed to, which can help ensure you don’t get sick from the same pathogen again.

2. The Brain Cleans Itself of Toxins

Research has found that the brain removes toxins during deep sleep (4). “It’s like a dishwasher,” explains Dr. Maiken Nedergaard, a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Rochester.

During the deep phases of sleep, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain increases. CSF circulates nutrients and removes waste products or toxins from the brain.

Since the blood-brain barrier prevents the passage of most molecules, CSF is a vital component of the brain’s detoxification process because many of the compounds washed away via CSF are toxic to brain cells.

Beta-amyloid plaque, for example, is a sticky compound that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Normally, CSF can help shuttle amyloid plaques out of the brain (5).

Just a single night of sleep deprivation can result in higher levels of beta-amyloid in the brain. Can you imagine what can happen with years of chronic sleep deprivation? Experts believe it may help explain the link between sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s disease (6).

3. Increased Energy Levels

When you are in deep sleep, your body undergoes countless processes to rejuvenate you on a cellular level. As such, deep sleep is often one of the biggest reasons why people either wake up feeling rested or exhausted (7).

Researchers have even found that chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with compromised deep sleep (8). That’s why you can get 8-10 hours of sleep and still feel completely exhausted if you didn’t have enough deep sleep.

4. May Boost Cognitive Function with BDNF

Limited evidence suggests that deep sleep is involved in the production of a compound called brain-derived neurotrophic factor or BDNF (9). Several studies have found that BDNF may:

  • Stimulate the production of new brain cells (10)
  • Enhance learning and memory (11)
  • Aid in the prevention of neurodegenerative disease (12)

Levels of BDNF tend to decline with age. So, deep sleep is even more important as we get older. If you’re under a great deal of stress and eat too many processed foods, that can also negatively impact your BDNF levels (13).

5. Enhances Memory

A bad night’s sleep can have a dramatic effect on your memory the next day, making it difficult to retain and recall key details (14). Research has also found that when you don’t get enough sleep it can impair long-term memory, decision making, and your ability to focus (15).

The connection between memory and sleep is well established. Scientists previously believed memory consolidation (forming and storing memories) happened during REM sleep—the dream stage of sleep (16).

It turns out, deep sleep is just as important for memory consolidation. Studies have found that increases in deep sleep can improve learning, information retention, and task performance (17).

6. Eases a Stressed Mind

Have you ever gone to bed while feeling stressed out? If you were able to get a good night’s sleep in, it’s likely you woke up feeling much better.

According to researchers from the University of California Berkeley, deep sleep reorganizes connections in the brain that result in reduced levels of stress and anxiety (18). Deep sleep provides an overall stabilizing effect on a person’s mood the next day.

On the contrary, they also found that a single restless night can raise anxiety levels by as much as 30%. So, if you ever find yourself stressed out or in an emotional slump, try improving the amount of deep sleep you get.

7. Tissue Repair and Regeneration

A good night’s rest is called beauty sleep for a reason. During deep sleep, levels of growth hormone increase significantly (19, 20).

Growth hormone is involved in the regeneration of new cells and promotes the breakdown of fat (21, 22). On top of all that, it also encourages muscle tissue repair and growth.

So, if you’re an athlete or involved in physical activity in any way, getting plenty of deep sleep could help boost your recovery process (23).

How to Fast Track Deep Sleep

There are a variety of simple steps to improve sleep quality. These include reducing your exposure to blue light at night, sticking to a consistent sleep-wake routine, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, and getting regular exercise. Studies suggest that exercise during the day can significantly increase the amount of deep sleep you get (24).

CBD Oil is also increasingly being looked at as a natural way to support restful sleep (25). To gain the full benefits of CBD Oil for sleep, seek out a broad spectrum oil with at least 25mg of CBD per serving and take it 30 minutes before bedtime.

In addition to easing stress (which negatively impacts sleep), a scientific review of CBD (cannabidiol) found that it reduced the time it takes to fall asleep, prevented disrupted sleep, and improved daytime alertness, all signs that point to beneficial deep sleep (26). With CBD Oil benefits that include calming stress and restoring sleep, you may find yourself waking up in the morning feeling fully refreshed.
By djgriffiths, ago

Calming an Overactive Immune System

Most reporting done on the immune system has focused on ways to strengthen or stimulate immunity. The hope is if you bolster the immune system you can fight off illnesses better or avoid getting sick altogether. Especially during cold and flu season. The full story on immunity is more complex.

A healthy immune system is a balanced immune system, one that is not too weak and not too strong. In reality, it’s important to regulate immune function, not just strengthen it.

Just like the immune system can become weak—making you susceptible to getting sick—it can swing in the opposite direction and become overstimulated, leading to an attack on your own body. A hyperactive immune system is just as dangerous as a weak immune system, but for different reasons.

Effects of an Overstimulated Immune System

When the immune system becomes overactive, it can start indiscriminately attacking your own healthy cells leading to autoimmune issues (1). An overactive immune system can damage the body and result in a wide range of concerns including…

  • Inflammation
  • Joint pain
  • Fatigue
  • Achy muscles
  • Hair Loss
  • Digestive distress
  • Skin rashes
  • Swollen glands

Calming an Overactive Immune System with CBD

Early evidence suggests that a compound extracted from hemp called CBD (cannabidiol) oil can exert immunomodulatory effects on the immune system. In doing so, CBD may balance the immune system and help prevent it from becoming overactive (2, 3).

CBD is one of many cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, and research shows that cannabinoids have a number of beneficial effects on the body, including in the areas of sleep, stress, joint discomfort and immune health.

While scientists still haven’t entirely figured out the details, they believe that CBD exerts this immune-regulatory effect and other benefits by acting on the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

What is the Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

The ECS is a relatively recent discovery. It is a complex network of receptors, enzymes, and cannabinoid molecules that help your body maintain homeostasis or a state of balance.

The Endocannabinoid System Balances the Body

In this case, when the immune system becomes overactive, the ECS can help normalize immune function (4). This helps ensure that it does not attack your own cells or cause chronic inflammation.

One animal study, for example, found that the endocannabinoid system helps maintain a balanced immune response in the gut and pancreas (5). It does this by modulating the activity of specific macrophages and T cells in the gut.

How CBD Affects the ECS

CBD has a wide range of direct and indirect effects in the body, including research that shows cannabidiol has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (6).

Current research suggests that CBD inhibits the FAAH enzyme which degrades anandamide—a natural endocannabinoid in the body that stimulates the ECS (7). When the FAAH enzyme is inhibited, less anandamide is broken down. This effectively increases the amount of anandamide circulating in the body. The increased anandamide levels, in turn, then stimulate the ECS.

How Cannabinoids Work in the Body

This means CBD may indirectly stimulate the ECS by increasing the amount of anandamide in the body. Research is ongoing into how cannabinoids work in the body and interact with the endocannabinoid system (8).

Why does the Immune System Get Overstimulated?

Scientists still haven’t uncovered a specific cause for an overactive immune system. In reality, it likely has many different causes. So far the evidence seems to suggest that diet, toxic chemicals, gut health, and genetics are among the most influential factors (9, 10).

Why does this matter? Environmental toxins have saturated the planet and many processed foods contain gut-destroying additives.

As your ECS attempts to regulate the immune system it uses compounds called endocannabinoids as fuel. However, if your immune system is constantly stimulated, the ECS may run out of fuel and lose its capacity to downregulate immune activity. When this happens, scientists call it an endocannabinoid deficiency.

While more research is needed, CBD appears to be a promising compound for the immune system by stimulating the body’s own balancing system, the endocannabinoid system.

More Ways to Bring Balance to the Immune System

Beyond taking a quality CBD Oil, research suggests that there are other strategies that can help keep the immune system in good working order. Here are more ways to keep your immune system balanced and healthy:

The Bottom Line

With an abundance of environmental toxins, poor nutrition, and genetic influences, the immune system can become overactive and attack the body’s own healthy cells.

As such, regulating immune function is more important than ever. Early evidence suggests that CBD Oil may be a helpful strategy to prevent the immune system from becoming hyperactive.

For a healthy and robust immune system, CBD Oil shouldn’t be your only strategy. A balanced and strong immune system is achieved with a healthy lifestyle that includes good sleep, stress management, daily detoxification, vitamin D, and making sure you eat plenty of nutrient-rich fruits and veggies. The immune system impacts every part of the body, and needs a whole-body approach to keep it in good shape.
By djgriffiths, ago

Calm CBD Oil Samples Now Available

CBD Sampling Program

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!

Included as one of the benefits of being a Visionary Business Owner, the Calm CBD Oil Sampling App is one more way that Touchstone Essentials’ VBOs are changing the world for the better, with a goal of touching one million families with goodness.
By djgriffiths, ago

Best Home Workout to Burn Fat and Get Lean

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!

Courtesy of HomeGym101.com

What Does a HIIT Routine Look Like?

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.
By djgriffiths, ago

Banana Latte Power Smoothie

Banana Latte Protein Smoothie

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.

Banana Latte Power Smoothie

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

Instructions

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Enjoy!

The Good Inside

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.

By djgriffiths, ago