Watermelon Lime CBD Spritzer

Take the heat out of summer with a delightful seasonal refresher. Hydrating watermelon hits your sweet spot, while fresh lime cuts through with citrus zing, finishing with minty notes of full spectrum CBD oil. Together it makes this spritzer a fast way to shed any stress so you can savor the best of summer.

Watermelon Lime CBD Spritzer

  • 2 cups seedless watermelon
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1 mL (one dropperful) Calm Advanced+ CBD Oil
  • ½ cup sparkling water

Instructions

Roughly chop two cups of seedless watermelon. Blend with the juice of one lime. Add a dropper of full spectrum CBD oil.

Pour over ice, top with sparkling water and stir well for an effervescent, limey refresher. Garnish with fresh lime slices and enjoy!

The Good Inside

True to its name, watermelon is about 92 percent water! That makes it a delicious way to stay hydrated during hot summer months. And its sweet taste comes with the goodness of the antioxidant lycopene. Your immune system also gets support with vitamin C from limes.

CBD (cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid in the hemp plant. Research suggests it has a long list of health benefits for body and mind. Calm Advanced+ CBD Oil features cannabinoid-rich, organically-grown hemp with a refreshing organic peppermint taste.

Mix up a batch of this healthy spritzer to stay hydrated while enjoying long summer days. Not only will it keep you cool, but the splash of CBD will also help you to chill, bringing health and happiness to summer.



Your Donation will help our 2KHeroes

Thank you for your donation – your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Your donation will benefit and reward our true heroes.

Please spread the word as donations are needed and required to further the mission of the  2KHeroes Foundation.

Donate Today…any amount will help!

Strawberry Mojito CBD Mocktail

Strawberry Mojito Mocktail

Revive your senses and instill a sense of calm and relaxation with this CBD mocktail inspired by the classic mojito. Slightly tart berries blend perfectly with the minty notes of premium CBD oil and fresh herbs. In just minutes, you’ll feel stresses melt away and be ready for whatever comes your way.

Strawberry Mojito CBD Mocktail

2-3 roughly chopped organic strawberries
3-4 loosely torn fresh mint leaves
½ tablespoon organic raw honey
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 mL (one dropperful) Calm Premium CBD Oil
½ cup ginger beer (or your favorite fizzy mixer)

Instructions

Add strawberries, mint, honey, lime and CBD oil to a glass and muddle well. Add ice, top off with low-sugar ginger beer and stir well for an effervescent, calming mocktail. Garnish with fresh mint and strawberries. Enjoy!

The Good Inside

CBD (cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Research suggests it has a long list of health benefits for body and mind. Calm Premium CBD Oil features cannabinoid-rich, organically-grown hemp and is specially formulated to have zero THC, with a refreshing organic peppermint taste.

Strawberries give a boost of vitamin C for the immune system, while raw honey has enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that bolster natural immunity. The digestive system also gets support from antioxidant-rich mint leaves and natural ginger helps to settle and soothe the stomach.

Mix up a tall glass of calm for every occasion with this refreshing healthy mocktail. A splash of CBD makes this mocktail the perfect way to unwind. Soothe away everyday stress with the minty goodness of broad spectrum CBD oil and feel your best.


Your Donation will help our 2KHeroes

Thank you for your donation – your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Your donation will benefit and reward our true heroes.

Please spread the word as donations are needed and required to further the mission of the  2KHeroes Foundation.

Donate Today…any amount will help!

7 Ways Heavy Metals Damage Your Brain

How Heavy Metals Affect the Brain

Every time you breathe, eat, drink, and touch certain materials, you are exposed to tiny amounts of toxic heavy metals. One day of exposure certainly won’t cause harm. But these heavy metals can accumulate in your body over time and cause substantial damage to your health.

Chronic heavy metal exposure can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, cause organ toxicity, and promote inflammation. But what most people don’t know is that exposure to heavy metals can have a huge impact on your brain as well—on everything from your mood to memory.

1. Heavy Metals are Neurotoxins

Many heavy metals are what scientists called neurotoxins. This means when they get into your body, they kill nerve and brain cells. The blood-brain barrier normally prevents dangerous compounds from getting to your brain, but heavy metals such as mercury can break through this protective wall.

Once mercury gets into the brain, it causes oxidative stress and inflammation which ultimately can kill off healthy brain cells (1). Scientists have also found that several other heavy metals can kill off brain cells, including lead, cadmium and arsenic (2).

2. Impacts Poor Memory

Your memory affects nearly every aspect of your life. It helps you remember important dates, key information related to your job, precious memories, and it’s essential for learning new skills.

This is one of the many reasons why it is important to detoxify heavy metals from your body. Several studies have found that exposure to heavy metals can damage your memory.

Adults who are exposed to lead are shown to have significantly lower learning and memory scores (3). Chronic exposure to lead also appears to result in a progressive decline in memory (4). Arsenic exposure is also linked to deficits in verbal intelligence and long-term memory (5).

3. Increased Mood Disorders

Have you ever noticed how much your mood impacts your day-to-day life? When you’re in a great mood, you tend to be more productive, have healthy social interactions, and have more energy. But when you’re feeling down, the exact opposite can happen.

While external events often drive your mood, researchers have found that heavy metals can have a surprising impact on how you feel.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, mercury exposure can cause mood swings, irritability, nervousness, and excessive shyness (6). Scientists have also discovered that higher levels of lead or cadmium in the blood are associated with depression and anxiety (78).

4. Decreased IQ & Intelligence

IQ ratings are the hallmark of cognitive intelligence. Experts agree that you can improve your IQ if you nourish your brain through learning new skills, and getting proper nutrition.

But IQ is not a one-way street. Your IQ can also decrease over time. One way your IQ can be negatively impacted is through chronic heavy metal exposure, especially during childhood.

One study in China, for example, found that children who had higher levels of heavy metals in their blood had significantly lower IQ scores compared to children with fewer heavy metals in their system (9). Other studies clearly show the negative impact of lead exposure on intelligence (3).

5. Compromised Executive Function

Executive function is a term used by scientists to describe several important cognitive functions in the brain. If your executive function is weak, you likely have a hard time paying attention, organizing, controlling your emotions, and resisting distractions.

There are several tactics you can use to strengthen your executive function, with meditation as one of the best methods (10). Another effective strategy is to avoid things that weaken executive function, such as heavy metals. Research has revealed that even low levels of arsenic or lead exposure can compromise your executive function (11, 3).

6. Sloppy Fine Motor Skills

Your brain and nervous system control fine motor skills. This includes skills that require dexterity like writing, playing musical instruments, texting on a smartphone, or even simple things like turning the pages in a book.

Since heavy metals are known to kill off healthy nerve cells, it makes sense that heavy metals can negatively impact your fine motor skills. Research shows that with mercury exposure, adults typically experience muscle weakness and a loss of overall coordination (12).

But when children are exposed to mercury, it becomes much more problematic. Multiple studies have shown that children and unborn babies can experience developmental delays in fine motor skills when they are exposed to mercury (13).

7. Deteriorates the Brain

Mild cognitive decline is a process that typically happens as a result of normal aging. It is most often characterized by decreased memory, language skills, and an impaired ability to think.

Cognitive decline can become much more severe if your brain is chronically inflamed and under constant oxidative stress as it is with heavy metal exposure. When this happens, the symptoms of cognitive decline are magnified, and the brain eventually stops working as it should.

One study suggests that aluminum-contaminated drinking water can intensify cognitive decline and lay the foundation for brain diseases like dementia (14). Another study found that long-term lead exposure is associated with cognitive decline in the elderly (15).

Heavy Metals Can Damage The Brain

How to Protect Your Brain from Heavy Metals

Now that you know how heavy metals can damage your brain, it’s only natural that you want to avoid this fate. To protect your brain from heavy metals, become aware of the different ways you are exposed to heavy metals.

In addition to avoiding heavy metal exposure, it’s just as important to detoxify heavy metals from the body. Heavy metals remain in your body for exceptionally long periods of time. Cadmium, for instance, stays in your kidneys for up to 38 years (16). 

This is why it’s important to detoxify on a regular, even daily basis. That way you can remove accumulated heavy metals from your body so they can no longer cause you harm.  

While some foods support detoxification, the best way to target accumulated heavy metals is with the natural mineral zeolite. The zeolite Clinoptilolite is renowned for its ability to selectively bind to toxic heavy metals as it quickly passes through the body. This can provide a simple, effective way to take out toxins on a cellular level, so you can stay sharp in the years ahead.

Your Donation will help our 2KHeroes

Thank you for your donation – your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Your donation will benefit and reward our true heroes.

Please spread the word as donations are needed and required to further the mission of the  2KHeroes Foundation.

Donate Today…any amount will help!

5 Tips for Living Life Filled with Purpose

tips to live a life with purpose facebook cover image

Everyone wants to live a purposeful life. One that doesn’t feel like you’re lost at sea, drifting aimlessly. Having a strong sense of purpose gives your life direction. It gives you confidence, happiness, success, and helps you feel fulfilled.

Chances are, you’ve already caught glimpses of what living with purpose feels like. This tends to happen when your passion is allowed to shine. It’s that electrifying feeling when your passion is freely applied to yourself or the world.

For some doctors, this may be helping people heal. For an entrepreneur, it may be having their product make a difference in the world. Or for parents, it may be nurturing their child and seeing them thrive.

Whatever gives you that gut feeling of fulfillment is going to give you a sense of purpose. The challenge is knowing how to cultivate that sense of purpose so it doesn’t get drowned by busy everyday life. Here are 5 top tips for keeping that sense of purpose alive and strong.

1. Dream Big (Really Big)

Do you ever doubt your ability to accomplish a dream or goal because it’s viewed as too ambitious? If you want to live a purposeful life, follow your dreams with conviction, no matter how grand they may be.

More often than not, the big dreams or goals that you come up with are strongly aligned with your passions. It doesn’t matter if you’re not able to accomplish these goals in the short term. The pursuit of these dreams can set you on a path to a life with purpose.

Dreaming of traveling around Italy? It might take time to save up for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. But in the short term, you can take an Italian cooking class, or start Italian lessons on the weekends to bring yourself closer to your passion and have a greater sense of purpose.

2. Don’t Let Fear Dictate Your Life

Fear is the ultimate suppressant of life. It holds you hostage, keeping you away from progress and self-improvement. This is why living a life with purpose is impossible with fear in the equation.

So, if your dream is to open your own business, you might drag your feet because you’re afraid of failure and the unknown. These things can be intimidating, there’s no denying that.

But this is your life. You only have one. Don’t risk the regret of looking back on your life wondering what it would be like if you had pursued your dream. In most cases, the fear itself is much bigger than any challenges you will face.

No matter what your dreams or passions are, the same principle holds true. Fear can keep you from living a life of purpose. To overcome it, start with small steps towards your goals to build your self-confidence.

3. Live in the Moment

“What day is it?”, asked Pooh.

“It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.

“My favorite day,” said Pooh.

While Winnie-the-Pooh was written for children, there’s a surprising amount of wisdom in his approach to life.

He doesn’t focus on worries of the future or the regrets of the past. He simply enjoys the moment as it is. This quote from Pooh perfectly captures the essence of what it means to live in the moment with contentment.

When your life is controlled by thoughts attached to past events and future outcomes, it’s difficult to find a sense of purpose. Your mind will be too preoccupied with regret, worry and other negative emotions.

This is the opposite of living in the moment—the opposite of Pooh. But if you can live in the moment, it will bring more happiness, focus, and productivity into your life. The building blocks of life are filled with purpose.

Read MoreThe Benefits of Taking Short Breaks from Technology

4. Keep a Journal or Vision Board

People often have a hard time picturing what a life of purpose would involve. That is to say, what kind of journey would provide the greatest sense of fulfillment? It’s completely normal to be unsure.

But if you don’t have a general idea of your destination, how do you know where to begin? This is where journaling comes into play. Journaling is a great way to dive deep into the workings of your mind and distill what fuels your sense of purpose.

Try committing to a strict journaling routine. Every morning or night, write down three things you’re grateful for and then write a page on where you want your life to go. Explore what path would provide you with the greatest sense of purpose. Get into the details.

5. Let Go of Negative Emotions

How often has worrying, anger, or any other surge of emotions gotten in the way of your life? More often than you would like to admit, right? When you’re faced with a stressful situation, emotions often take over.

The cost of not being in control of your own emotions is high. For instance, let’s say you were waiting for test results on whether you had a Thyroid issue. You worried the whole day over the results, forgetting important details about a client presentation, and end up losing the account. At the end of the day, your phone rings and you find out that the test results are negative after all.

When you aren’t in control of your emotions, it can quickly derail you. That’s why it’s important to practice living your life free from the control of negative emotions. The next time you become worried over something, stop for a second and question the worry.

“Does it serve a purpose?” No. “Will this worry negatively affect my life?” Possibly. Then focus on the moment and breathe through any negative emotions that surface. With practice, you will become a master of your own emotions rather than them controlling you.

Living a life full of purpose can bring joy, fulfillment and focus. But it takes a commitment to finding what matters to you, and being prepared to pursue your passion.

To have an easier time finding purpose in your life, dream big, break free from fear, live in the moment, keep a journal, and let go of negative emotions. In doing so, you can easily bring more happiness, focus, and a greater sense of fulfillment into your life.

Blueberries Help Lower Blood Pressure

Blueberries for lower bloodpressure

According to the World Health Organization, 40% of the world’s population is estimated to have high blood pressure or hypertension (1). This is a huge problem affecting both men and women since high blood pressure can significantly increase your chance of developing cardiovascular disease or having a stroke.

There are many dietary and lifestyle factors that can help you achieve a healthy blood pressure. You can exercise every day, avoid processed foods, take steps to reduce inflammation, and eat plenty of greens.

But new research suggests there is yet another way to easily and effectively manage blood pressure. And this method also happens to taste great.

Eating Blueberries Daily Could Lower Blood Pressure

A study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics revealed that regular consumption of blueberries is a powerful tactic to lower your blood pressure (2).

For the study, 48 women with hypertension (high blood pressure) from Florida were recruited. The women were then split into two groups.

Scientists instructed one group to consume 22 grams of blueberry powder (equal to about one cup of fresh blueberries) daily. The second group received 22 grams of a placebo (plain) powder.

At the end of the eight-week study, the women who consumed the blueberry powder experienced a significant decline in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure while the placebo group had no reduction in blood pressure.

Researchers also noted that the blueberry group had increased nitric oxide levels—a beneficial compound that allows your blood vessels to stay flexible and relax.

Another more recent study published in 2019 echoed these findings (3).

Researchers from King’s College London gave 40 healthy volunteers a drink containing 200g of blueberries or a placebo drink. Then they were instructed to drink the beverages once a day for one month. At the end of the study, the researchers discovered that the blueberry drink…

  • Improved blood vessel function two hours after consumption.
  • Reduced blood pressure by around 5mmHg, which is equivalent to the effects of many blood pressure lowering medications.
  • Improved endothelial function, which plays an important role in regulating blood pressure.

The study’s lead researcher Dr. Ana Rodriguez-Mateos explained, “If the changes we saw in blood vessel function after eating blueberries every day could be sustained for a person’s whole life, it could reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular disease by up to 20%.”

That means simply eating a cup of blueberries every day as a snack could dramatically cut down your risk of heart disease and stroke. Improving your health doesn’t get much easier than that.

It’s the “Blue” in Blueberries That Lowers Blood Pressure

Now you may be wondering after reading about these studies, “why do blueberries have such a powerful effect on blood pressure?”

The research points to a blood pressure-lowering compound in blueberries called anthocyanins. This plant compound belongs to a family of antioxidants called flavonoids. Anthocyanins give blueberries their distinct blue color.  

Anthocyanins are also found in other deeply colored fruits such as strawberries, blackberries, cherries, and grapes. Studies on anthocyanins found that they, much like blueberries, can lower blood pressure. But how do anthocyanins result in lower blood pressure?

Scientists found that anthocyanins lower blood pressure by fighting oxidative stress and boosting the body’s production of nitric oxide (4).

There’s evidence that other antioxidants produce similar benefits as well. But only if you get the antioxidants through plants. In the blueberry study, a control drink that contained isolated vitamins had no effect. So, just taking a multivitamin won’t work.

Just Watch Your Fruit Sugar Intake

There’s no denying that blueberries can have an impressive impact on blood pressure regulation. But there’s a catch. If you go overboard and consume too much fresh fruit, you could end up raising your blood pressure. 

That’s because too much sugar can increase your blood pressure. One study found that a diet high in sugar leads to an increase in blood pressure of around 7mmHg/5mmHg (5), similar to that of a diet high in salt.

The take-home here is that if you choose to consume blueberries for their health benefits, eat them in moderation, up to a cup per day. And opt for organic blueberries to make sure you avoid toxic pesticides.

To get plenty of plant-based antioxidants in your diet without a spike in sugar intake, an organic green juice powder would be your best bet.

The Bottom Line

Research suggests that consuming around a cup of blueberries per day could help lower your blood pressure. This beneficial effect is due to the fact that blueberries are a rich source of a type of antioxidant called anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins lower blood pressure by increasing the body’s production of nitric oxide and protecting cells from oxidative stress. To maximize these benefits, choose organic blueberries or wild blueberries as they have the highest levels of anthocyanins.

Your Donation will help our 2KHeroes

Thank you for your donation – your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Your donation will benefit and reward our true heroes.

Please spread the word as donations are needed and required to further the mission of the  2KHeroes Foundation.

Donate Today…any amount will help!

5 Signs You’re Dehydrated

Picture a tall glass of icy-cold, refreshing water. Imagine a detailed image of it in your mind’s eye. Does the thought make you thirsty? If so, it’s likely you’re not drinking enough water. That’s because thirst is an early indicator of dehydration.

Too often we unintentionally ignore thirst. With our fast-paced and busy lifestyle we often don’t realize we’re thirsty until severe dehydration hits.

To make matters worse, a lot of people try to quench their thirst with soda or other sugary drinks which only causes the body to lose more water.

The result is chronic dehydration.

Over time, this can lead to a wide range of symptoms that can make life downright miserable.

Here are five surprising signs that you may be chronically dehydrated and need to reach for a few more glasses of H20 every day.

1. Dry Skin

Your skin is the body’s largest organ and is made up of 64% water! As a result, it needs generous amounts of water to stay healthy and hydrated.

When your skin doesn’t get enough water, it will become dry, itchy, and breakouts will be more common.

In fact, dry skin is one of the earliest signs of severe dehydration. If this is something you experience, try increasing your intake of filtered water.

2. Fatigue and Lack of Energy

An early symptom of dehydration is fatigue and lethargy.

Dehydration causes the enzymatic activity in the body to slow down which results in that miserable sluggish feeling we all have struggled with.

Most people assume they feel tired from working hard, a poor night’s sleep, or they just naturally have low energy levels. While this can be the case, more often than not, it’s caused by dehydration.

Try starting your day with a glass of lemon water to feel refreshed.

3. Constipation and Digestive Issues

Without enough water, the digestive system slows down dramatically. The result is constipation and gut discomfort.

Your colon, along with other regions of the digestive system, draws in water to help move waste along. When you’re dehydrated, it’s much like trying to go down a steep waterslide with no water… ouch!

Water also allows your gut to absorb water-soluble vitamins. So when you’re dehydrated, it’s possible to be deficient in vitamins B and C.

4. Weight Gain

Thirst can be easily mistaken for hunger. Sometimes when you’re slightly dehydrated, your body will make you feel hungry instead of thirsty.

It’s a fiendish trick that can result in constant overeating which, of course, leads to weight gain.

“People just think that when they start to get a little weak or they have a headache, they need to eat something, but most often they need to drink [water],” said Grace Webb, Assistant Director for the Clinical Nutrition at New York Hospital.

Drinking more water can help you feel full more often, which in turn can result in better eating habits.

To distinguish the difference between real hunger and thirst, drink a glass of water before you raid the pantry for a snack. If the hunger pangs subside after a few minutes, you’ll know it was just thirst playing a trick on you.

5. Stiff or Painful Joints

Our joints are made up of cartilage, fluid to reduce friction, and soft membranes. They prevent our bones from grinding against each other every time we move.

Without water, these joint structures can’t do their job well. So to help keep your joints moving without discomfort, make sure you get enough water.

Make Sure Your Water is Toxin-Free

With busy lifestyles, it’s easy to forget about the simple things that make a big impact on our everyday life. It’s possible you can significantly improve your life just by drinking a few more glasses of H20 every day.

To reap all the health benefits, make sure the water you drink is free of toxins that can harm your health. Lead, mercury and pesticides are commonly found in water supplies so filtered water is a must to feel your best.

CBD Oil: Nature’s Anti-Aging Secret Weapon

Anti-Aging Benefits of CBD Oil

While aging is an inevitable fact of life, we can influence how we age. The rate at which wrinkles appear, or how our joints stiffen up can be impacted by the right anti-aging tactics. By slowing down the factors that speed up aging, you can put more life into your years. Which means fewer wrinkles, more spring in your step, and more time to live your life to the fullest.

The key is knowing which anti-aging tricks work the best. Sure, there are the basics like regular exercise, eating plenty of greens and putting on sunscreen when you’re outside.

But what if you want better results? What if you want to take your anti-aging efforts to the next level? That’s where CBD Oil may help.

How Does CBD Oil Help With Aging?

CBD oil is a extract that’s found in the hemp plant. Years of research suggests that CBD (cannabidiol) oil is one of the most powerful ways to keep you looking and feeling young. What makes CBD oil so special?

CBD oil nourishes the body from within. It effectively helps to manage four of the most important factors when it comes to aging: oxidative damage, inflammation, stress, and sleep. Collectively, these effects make CBD oil the golden standard for anti-aging.

1. CBD is a Powerful Antioxidant

If you look at the ingredients of most skincare products, it’s likely they contain antioxidants. That’s because antioxidants are game changers when it comes to preserving your youth and perhaps even reversing the clock.

So why are antioxidants so effective for anti-aging?

Scientists theorize that physical aging is the result of oxidative damage caused by free radicals—substances that form when you are exposed to toxins, eat processed foods, get stressed, and as a byproduct of normal biochemical processes in your body (1).

Antioxidants protect your body from the destructive effects of free radicals. Which means getting plenty of antioxidants can slow down the aging process. Some studies even suggest that antioxidants can reverse skin aging by improving its elasticity which makes it look more supple (2).

CBD is a powerful antioxidant, making consuming CBD Oil an effective way to protect your body from free radical damage (3).

2. CBD Eases Temporary Inflammation

According to the National Institute on Aging, inflammation plays a pivotal role in aging (4). Managing inflammation is an important anti-aging strategy.

When inflammation becomes chronic, or long-term, it causes widespread cellular damage. It negatively affects almost every system in your body, and can speed up physical aging.

The good news is, hundreds of studies have found that cannabidiol (CBD) exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory properties (5). Researchers found that CBD oil can help modulate the body’s inflammatory response in a unique way. It does this by deactivating immune cells that trigger inflammation when they are no longer needed (6).

Since CBD is so effective for easing temporary inflammation, regular consumption of a quality CBD Oil is an invaluable tool for anti-aging. To get even better results, you can combine CBD oil with anti-inflammatory superfoods.

3. CBD Helps Ease the Effects of Stress

One of the most overlooked aspects of aging is stress. People subjected to chronic stress can quickly look older than their years (7).

Studies have found that chronic emotional stress can speed up aging on the cellular level by shortening the length of each DNA strand (8).

But CBD can help ease the effects of stress, by helping to reduce the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body (9). Another study found that CBD can stimulate the endocannabinoid system which improves stress adaptation, or how well you cope with stress (10).

In addition to stress-management techniques, taking CBD Oil can be an effective approach to fighting against the effects of stress.

4. CBD Improves Sleep Quality

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. Sleep is critical to restore and repair the body, including the appearance of your skin.

There’s also evidence that suggests a lack of high-quality sleep can rapidly speed up how quickly you age and even make your skin look older (1112).

Stress and sleep have an intimate relationship with one another. If you’re constantly stressed, your sleep quality will take a nosedive. On the flip side, if you’re tired it can leave you feeling drained, which can be a stressor in itself.

In addition to helping to ease the effects of stress, CBD is shown to be effective for improving the quality of your sleep (13). This means CBD can help counteract the visible and invisible effects of aging.

The Best CBD Oil for Anti-Aging

One of the biggest misconceptions is that CBD oil isolate is the best option. But that’s simply not true. For the best results, you want a broad spectrum CBD oil. That’s because the compounds found in the hemp plant magnify the effects of CBD, making it significantly more effective than CBD on its own.

That being said, it is also essential to select a CBD oil that is nano-emulsified, organic, and processed using supercritical COextraction. This ensures maximum effectiveness for your anti-aging goals. The right CBD oil supplement is the perfect remedy for preserving your youth.

The Bottom Line

Everyone wants to preserve as much of their physical youth as possible. They want supple skin, a resilient body, and a sharp mind. While aging is unavoidable, it is possible to slow it down. But few people know how.

The most effective way to slow down physical aging is to target the things that speed it up. That is, protect the body with antioxidants, ease inflammation, control your stress levels, and get enough quality sleep every night. Research suggests that CBD can improve every one of these factors, making CBD Oil nature’s anti-aging secret weapon.

Vegan Chocolate Protein Pancakes

Put a little love in your heart with these healthy chocolate pancakes. Each delicious bite is filled with energizing organic superfoods and satisfying plant-based protein. With decadent dark chocolate and fluffy goodness throughout, these vegan pancakes are perfect to share with someone you love (or keep to yourself).

Ingredients

  • 1 cup organic oat flour
  • 1 heaping scoop Organic Super Protein
  • 1 teaspoon organic baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon organic ceylon cinnamon
  • 1 cup organic oat milk (or almond milk)
  • ¾ cup organic applesauce (or your favorite egg substitute)
  • ¼ cup melted organic dark chocolate (70%)
  • 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil (plus extra for cooking)
  • 2 tablespoons organic maple syrup (plus extra for garnish)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil together, and set aside to cool for two minutes. Then add the applesauce, maple syrup and nut milk to the mixture.

In a separate bowl, mix together the oat flour, Organic Super Protein, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir into the first bowl of wet ingredients. If needed, add a touch of extra nut milk.

Heat iron skillet to medium and add some coconut oil. Once heated, pour spoonfuls of batter on the skillet. Cook pancakes about two minutes each side (flip once bubbles form on top) or to preferred doneness.

Serve with a touch of maple syrup and your favorite organic berries for an extra sweet and heart-healthy finish. Enjoy!

Fueled by Fluffy Goodness

These fluffy vegan chocolate pancakes will put a smile on your face while satisfying cravings for something sweet. The coconut oil provides MCTs that provide lasting energy, while dark chocolate has heart-friendly flavanols that support healthy blood pressure and will even boost your mood! As you enjoy each fluffy bite of goodness, you’ll give your body heart-healthy fuel to keep you energized throughout the day. Enjoy!

Recipe and images courtesy of Nicki Bradley @LittleIslandStudios

How Toxins Cripple Your Immune System

How Toxins Cripple Your Immune System

Your immune system works around the clock—day and night. It constantly monitors your body for microbes, prevents you from getting sick, and if you do get ill, your immune system adapts to fight off the infection. That’s why it’s essential to keep your immune system strong, so it can keep you healthy, no matter what.

Immune support strategies include taking immunomodulating mushrooms, managing stress levels and getting enough sleep, eating nutrient-rich superfoods, and getting plenty of vitamin D.

But research suggests that these strategies are incomplete. In order to ensure your immune system is in optimal shape, it’s also important to take exposure to toxic environmental air pollutants into consideration.

Air pollution is a catch-all term that covers particulate matter, gasses, volatile organic compounds and heavy metals found in the air (1). These toxins can accumulate in the body over time, impacting your health in serious ways.

And it’s no small issue. A report by the American Lung Association puts a spotlight on how widespread this health risk is, finding that almost half of the United States, or 150 million people, are breathing polluted air (2).

So, what are all of the toxins in air doing to your immune system? Research shows the damage to your immune system can be extensive.

Toxins and Your Immune System

Evidence shows that toxins in air pollution can have substantial negative effects on the immune system thanks to a toxic brew of ozone, particulate matter, VOCs and heavy metals such as lead.

In the book Free Radical Biology and Medicine, the authors explain that “air pollutants can affect different immune cell types such as particle-clearing macrophages, inflammatory neutrophils, dendritic cells that orchestrate adaptive immune responses and lymphocytes that enact those responses” (3).

This simply means that air pollution can weaken a wide variety of immune cells. But that’s not all. These toxins can also cause inflammation, and make the body more susceptible to viruses.

One recent study looked at exposure to airborne brake dust, a common pollutant, and found that brake dust reduced the ability of immune cells to kill harmful bacteria or viruses (4).

This may be due to the toxic heavy metals found in brakes and tires. Researchers in Sweden showed that brake linings and tire tread emissions were a significant source of heavy metals in the air, releasing toxic cadmium, lead, and antimony, among others (5).

Yet another common air pollutant is diesel exhaust, which studies have found may alter the immune system, making you more susceptible to seasonal allergies (6). Animal studies also show the particulate matter in diesel exhaust may worsen autoimmune conditions (7).

While toxins in air pollution affect the entire immune system, experts have learned that airborne pollution hits the respiratory system particularly hard.

Toxic Air Pollution and Respiratory Immunity

Air pollution may make respiratory issues more likely and more severe. These toxins impact immunity in a way that makes it harder for cells to clean up debris in the lungs, impacting respiratory health (3).

As toxins pass through the respiratory system, they can trigger oxidative stress and cause cell damage. Studies have found that people exposed to the toxins in air pollution are more likely to develop respiratory issues such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma (8).

Toxins in air pollution increase both the risk of infection, and the severity of certain respiratory infections (9). To make matters worse, infections that affect the respiratory system are more dangerous with preexisting respiratory conditions such as asthma.

This compounding effect could explain why a recent Harvard study found a correlation between exposure to air pollution and a 15% increased death rate with COVID-19 infections (10).

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Toxins

Even if you’re stuck in a highly polluted area, it doesn’t mean you’re doomed to the effects of toxins and air pollution. The human body is incredibly resilient. You just need to give it the support it needs to stay healthy. Here are five ways you can protect yourself from toxins in the air:

1. Reduce Indoor Pollution

Indoor air can be just as polluted as outdoor air, due to volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. Take steps to reduce toxins in the home, make sure to use toxin-free household cleaners, add air-cleaning house plants, and consider a home air purifier to breathe cleaner air.

2. Boost Your Vitamin D

Getting plenty of vitamin D can enhance immune function (11). There’s also evidence that vitamin D supplementation can counteract the immune-compromising effects of air pollution (12).

3. Plan Your Outside Time

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, try to avoid being outside during the times of rush hour when pollution tends to be at its worst. As an added bonus, the sunshine will give you a vitamin D boost.

4. Get Plenty of Antioxidants

Antioxidants can protect the body from oxidative damage caused by harmful compounds such as those found in air pollution. It’s best to get your antioxidants by eating plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, and berries. If you’re not getting 7-9 servings a day, a superfood green juice powder will give you all the goodness of organic veggies in a simple and fast way.

5. Detox with Natural Zeolite

Many of the toxins found in air pollution can accumulate in your body over the years and become a serious threat. Detoxification is vital to remove the toxic heavy metals and pollutants that can cripple your immune system.

Natural mineral zeolite is a master detoxifier. The negative charge of the zeolite acts as a magnet to pull positively-charged toxins from the body, where they can no longer cause you harm. A nanosized zeolite offers the deepest detox, reaching throughout the body for a cellular cleanse.

The Bottom Line

Evidence suggests that toxins in air pollution can weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to getting sick. Moreover, air pollution can increase the risks of developing respiratory issues, which put you at greater risk when facing an infection.

Almost 1 in 2 Americans are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. The good news is, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself from the effects of toxic air pollution. This includes getting plenty of antioxidants, taking vitamin D, and detoxing with natural zeolite.

6 Big Health Benefits of Zeolite

Zeolite is a volcanic mineral that can profoundly transform your health. And by no means is that an exaggeration. Mounting scientific evidence shows that zeolite can provide life-changing benefits to your health—from detoxing to strengthening your immune system.

Zeolite is also the only substance in the world that can effectively cleanse a wide range of toxins from your body. As far as supplements go, it’s a game-changer.

To give you a better idea of just how powerful zeolite is, here are the top 6 health benefits of taking a high-quality zeolite supplement, all backed by science.

1. Master Detoxifier

Toxins are found everywhere. From the air you breathe, to the food you eat. Over time, these toxins build up in your body and wreak havoc on your health.

Never-ending fatigue, brain fog, a weak immune system, and countless health issues are common side effects when these toxins build up. That’s why it’s essential to cleanse your body from toxins.

Fortunately, zeolite is the Jedi master of detoxification. All thanks to its unique honeycomb-like crystalline structure.

You see, each chamber within zeolite’s honeycomb-like structure has a negative charge. This negative charge attracts positively-charged toxins like lead, mercury, or nitrosamines (1).

In many ways, it’s like a magnet for toxins. So, when you take a properly cleansed zeolite supplement, it travels through your body trapping toxins in its “magnetized” honeycomb cage.

And since your body doesn’t store zeolite, your body just excretes it once it’s bound to a toxin. That’s why zeolite is exceptionally effective at removing built-up toxins in your body.

2. Alkalizes the Body

Another well-known benefit of zeolite is its ability to help the body balance pH by providing alkalizing minerals AND supporting kidney function.

Many foods (think white bread, rice, or any processed foods) are acid-forming in the body, while most green veggies are alkalizing to the body. Alcohol, pesticides, pollution, and even chronic stress also add to acidity.

An overly acidic body shows signs of strain such as headaches, chronic inflammation, mood disorders, persistent fatigue, and much more.

Alkalizing minerals help to buffer acid in the body. In a properly-cleansed zeolite, the alkalizing minerals calcium, potassium and magnesium are inside the honeycomb cages. The zeolite cage gives the body the beneficial mineral and takes the bad toxin in exchange.

The biggest role zeolite plays in alkalizing the body relates to how it helps the kidneys. Your kidneys maintain your internal pH. Yet many heavy metals impair kidney function (2).

Since zeolite can help your body get rid of heavy metals, it supports optimal kidney health, so your kidneys can efficiently balance your body’s pH.

3. Strengthens the Immune System

Evidence suggests that the zeolite clinoptilolite can also bolster and regulate your immune system.

This zeolite has specifically been shown to increase T-cell activity and increase the number of macrophages in the body—two cells essential for a healthy immune function.

But the immune benefits don’t end there. Heavy metals can suppress your immune system, making your body vulnerable to pathogens and prone to autoimmune issues (2)(3).

This means zeolite can both increase the effectiveness of your immune system while simultaneously protecting it from heavy metals.

4. Supports a Healthy Gut

Leaky gut occurs when the lining of your intestinal wall has an increased permeability. This allows unwanted toxins and microbes to leak from your intestines into the bloodstream.

The result is a weakened immune system, excessive fatigue, autoimmune issues, skin rashes, depression, and intense cravings for sugar or carbohydrates.

And these symptoms only get worse over time if your leaky gut isn’t healed. The positive news is, evidence suggests that zeolite can support a healthy gut.

One study found that just 12 weeks of zeolite supplementation can significantly increase the integrity of the intestinal wall (4).

5. May Improve Mood

When heavy metals such as lead and mercury accumulate in your body, they can also negatively affect your mood.

One study, for example, found that the mercury from amalgam dental fillings can result in depression, excessive anger, and problems with anxiety (5).

Many times, these issues are dismissed as resulting from “a stressful life” or a chemical imbalance instead of heavy metals. That’s because many signs of heavy metal accumulation are vague and can be mistaken for something else.

Life can be stressful enough without heavy metals bringing you down. By helping to reduce the build-up of heavy metals, zeolites can support positive mood.

6. Protects the Body from Harmful Microbes

Along with improving your immune health, zeolite is a powerful antimicrobial. This means it can fight potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

In fact, zeolites are so effective that they have been used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) and dental plaque formations. Both of which are caused by pathogenic microbes.

Another study found that zeolite has antiviral properties (6) due to its potential ability to absorb viral particles within the zeolite cages.

Studies even suggest zeolite can reduce pathogenic bacteria (7). What makes zeolite even better is that it doesn’t have a negative effect on the beneficial microbes in your gut.

Why Detoxing is Absolutely Essential

Have you ever played the game whack-a-mole at an arcade? Well, toxins are a bit like that. No matter how many times you manage to eliminate a toxin from your life, another seems to pop up in its place. That’s because toxins are practically everywhere. They can be found in:

  • Food (pesticides, herbicides, chemical additives)
  • The air you breathe (pollutants)
  • Household items (couches, chairs, beds, paint, keys)
  • Water (a common source of heavy metals)

The problem is, since there are so many ways you can get exposed to toxins, they build up in the body over time. That’s when even bigger problems arise.

Even in small amounts, these toxins can impair memory, negatively affect your gut health, plummet your energy levels, and make it hard to lose weight.

While it’s definitely a good idea to avoid toxins as best you can, it’s downright impossible to avoid them all. That’s why cleansing these toxins from your body is essential. A zeolite supplement will help you cleanse with ease.

Why supplement? Well, zeolite is not a mineral found in food. But you can’t just pick any ordinary zeolite supplement. Otherwise, you risk wasting your hard-earned money.

Make sure to seek out one with zeolite that has been properly cleansed so it can capture toxins, and is sized so it can be absorbed in the bloodstream, otherwise it will just pass through without picking up many toxins.

The Bottom Line

Zeolite is a highly effective natural supplement to bolster your health. Along with its ability to remove toxins from the body, it can alkalize, improve mood, strengthen the immune system, and even protect against harmful microbes.

Since we live in a world that’s riddled with toxins everywhere we go, zeolite is needed more than ever. But not any zeolite will do.

To get the health benefits of zeolite, seek out a high-quality source that is properly cleansed and sized for absorption. When you do, you may notice yourself experiencing a new level of sustained energy and vibrant health.