Month: March 2010

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Shaklee distributor in Dallas talks more about energy.

Shaklee distributor in Dallas talks more about energy.

My previous article on energy discussed the roles of carbohydrates and proteins in the diet for energy sources.  Also involved in energy production is that little three-letter word fat.  Fat, even though it is looked upon as an evil component of food, plays some major roles  in maintaining health. 

Fats

  • make up part of the structure of cells,
  • form a cushion around cells,
  • provide heat insulation around vital organs,
  • carry fat-soluble vitamins and
  • provide a storage reservoir for energy.

So fat is important, but the typical American diet gets way too much of it.  It is the most concentrated source of energy because fat contains twice as much stored energy, or calories, as does either proteins or carbohydrates.  A gram of fat has 9 calories where protein and carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram.

But man cannot live on proteins, carbohydrates and fats alone.  Other nutrients are required where energy is concerned. The b vitamins help to convert fats, carbohydrates and protein in to energy.  Magnesium is needed to breakdown glucose into energy.  Low magnesium levels can mean you don’t feel like heading out for a walk.  A study of women showed that when magnesium levels were low, the body had to work harder to do the same amount of work, particularly the heart and lungs.

Zinc, potassium and iron are also integral in producing energy.   Iron helps to carry oxygen for energy to the cells, tissues and organs.

It is very important to get all the “raw materials” on a daily basis your body needs to function at its best and provide you with the energy you need and want each day.  While we all try to eat more healthfully, it is often difficult to get in enough lean protein and 5 to 9 fruits and vegetables each day.  And surely our food is not as dense in vitamins and minerals as it was when our forefathers grew their own food in rich, fertile soil.  Think about supplementing your daily food intake to ensure you get what you need.

Dallas Health Helpers, Shaklee Distributor in Dallas is about being healthy without drugs or synthetics. Call 214.871.9596 or email us to learn more about vitality and health.

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Shaklee distributor in Dallas talks about energy.

Shaklee distributor in Dallas talks about energy.
We all have a need for sustained energy and an occasional boost.

There are daily energy needs for body functions.  Every cell must convert nutrients into energy in order to perform that particular cell’s basic function. Those functions may be to grow hair, pump blood through your system, transmit nerve impulses or move a muscle.  This conversion process is what is commonly known as metabolism.

This is why we require a steady diet of energy foods to sustain each cell and maintain our cellular activity.  Metabolism is actually a term for the collective activities of chemical and hormonal processes related to digesting, absorbing, converting and ultimately using our food to produce cellular energy.

There are three classes of macro-nutrients to consider: proteins, carbohydrates and fats.  Catabolic metabolism involves the breakdown of fats, proteins and carbohydrates into smaller units.  Anabolic metabolism uses smaller units of building blocks such as amino acids, glucose and fats to build tissues and eventually organs.  The most important component of human metabolism is glucose.  Metabolism of glucose produces carbon dioxide, water, a few nitrogen compounds and, most importantly, energy which can be used by the cells.  The catabolic process is what helps to provide the anabolic process to create the energy needed by the cells.

Cortisol and the adrenal glands help to drive these processes.  Stress impacts energy levels by its effect on cortisol.  There are many other hormones and processes that happen in metabolism that affect the body.

For instance, if one is not taking in enough food, the body will break down muscle tissue in order to get the amino acids there for fuel while preferentially holding on to fat.  However in a pure starvation mode, the body wills breakdown fat for the fatty acids to be used as fuel.

Blood sugar regulation is important to energy levels.  Insulin controls the uptake of glucose into the cells.  It plays the major role in regulating the glucose levels in the blood stream.  Overeating over time results in the cells being insulin resistant which will leave more glucose circulating in the body, leading to damage and eventually, diabetes.

Mitochondria are components in each cell which work to generate energy for the cell.  As we age, there are fewer and fewer mitochondria in each cell and those that remain may become more sluggish at producing the energy.  This decline in mitochondrial activity can lead to many age-related diseases.

What we eat affects our energy levels.  In the United States, we tend to eat too many simple carbohydrates and not enough complex carbohydrates or fiber.  This overeating of carbohydrates causes the body to convert the extras essentially to fat.  8:00

Protein is the chief tissue and muscle builder of the body.  Among its other functions, protein helps to make hemoglobin in the blood, carry oxygen to the cells, forms antibodies to fight infection, and supplies nitrogen for the production of DNA and RNA.  Protein also helps to supply energy to the body by breaking down amino acids.  If intake is inadequate, such as during illness or starvation, the body proteins are the first source to be broken down and used as cellular energy.  Please see my article on proteins to learn the best sources for protein.

Also, look for my next blog regarding fats and energy.

For a great source of energy, look to Shaklee corporation for good sources of protein and other energy-building products.

Dallas Health Helpers, Shaklee Distributor in Dallas is about being healthy without drugs or synthetics. Call 214.871.9596 or email us to learn more about vitality and health.

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Shaklee distributor in Dallas relays the power of protein.

Shaklee distributor in Dallas relays the power of protein.

The essential activities of protein are quite numerous.  Top on the list is the growth, repair and maintenance of all body tissues.  Protein is also required for making enzymes and hormones that eventually generate a wide range of biological functions.  There is also the role of protein in the balance of fluid and electrolytes, providing energy and the defense against disease.  These are the powers of protein.

Consuming adequate amounts of dietary protein in the forms of lean meats, fish and poultry as well as soy and milk make all these important body activities possible.  These proteins supply the body with amino acids, the basic building blocks from which the body can make its own proteins.

The foods we eat provide about 20 different amino acids and more than half of these are considered “nonessential.” That means that the body can produce them for itself.  About nine other amino acids are labeled “essential”, indicating that they are required from the food we eat. While fats and carbohydrates can be stored in the body, amino acids cannot be, so it is imperative that we steadily supply our bodies with protein-rich foods.

There is always the question of which protein sources are the best.  It is true that not all dietary protein is created equal.  The quality of protein in one’s diet will determine how well a child will grow and develop and how well adult health is maintained.  Higher quality proteins provide the raw materials, (amino acids) for the body to do its work while lower quality protein sources do not.

Two factors are used to determine protein quality:  digestibility and amino acid composition.  Digestibility is a measure of the amount of amino acids absorbed from a given protein intake.  Amino acid composition refers to the availability of the needed amino acids from a food we choose to eat.  Animal-sourced proteins (meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy) are considered high-quality proteins, as is soy, a vegetable-sourced protein.   Other than soy, vegetable-sourced proteins are referred to as “incomplete” because they lack some of the essential amino acids the body needs.  Incomplete proteins come from fruits, vegetables, grains and nuts.

When on a carefully-watched food program, proper protein intake can be a challenge.  The Shaklee Corporation produces a great lineup of protein supplements that offer the essential amino acids in a low-calorie, high quality form.  Their energizing soy Protein is made from non-GMO (genetically modified organism) soy.  This is very important in the long-term scheme of things.  There are also scientifically-based meal replacements that provide adequate amounts of protein.

Dallas Health Helpers, Shaklee Distributor in Dallas is about being healthy without drugs or synthetics. Call 214.871.9596 or email us to learn more about vitality and health.