-
Which supplement should I take? #Supplement Explorer
Are you always on your phone looking at which supplements you should take? Do you look at reviews? How do you decide what to buy?
As someone who has been in the nutraceutical industry for over 10 years, I’ve worked with many suppliers and companies to understand why an ingredient is chosen, what research is behind it, and how to sell it to a consumer, so if you are looking for some answers to questions you may have, drop a comment, or even better check out the Supplement Explorer on the site. It is free to use, 3 questions, and a simple output. No info is stored.I made the Supplement Explorer purely for my use and then thought, well, if it is useful for me, maybe it is useful for others. The tool is not affiliated with any company or brand, but was just a way for me to showcase what I find useful. If you use it, do give me feedback as to what you’d like to see it on too.
Stay well and remember, before taking any supplements, check with your doctor if it is a good fit for you or not!
-
Apple Cider Vinegar: Is it for you?
Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made from apples. It is typically made by crushing apples, then squeezing out the juice, then fermenting it so that the sugars in the juice are converted to alcohol. This is then further fermented to acetic acid, which gives apple cider vinegar its sour taste. You can even find versions of apple cider vinegar with honey added so it is more palatable.
One of the most popular uses of apple cider vinegar is as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. Some people believe it can help with weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and improve heart health–all reasons that I’m using it daily. However, more research is needed to confirm these claims. To me, holistic strategies always take time to get research to support what they are good for, don’t you agree?
So why use apple cider vinegar?
Weight loss: Some studies have shown that consuming apple cider vinegar may help with weight loss. It is thought that the acetic acid in the vinegar may interfere with the digestion of carbohydrates, which can lead to a feeling of fullness and a reduction in calorie intake. I definitely feel less hungry but haven’t seen incredible amounts of weight loss so maybe it’ll take some more time.
Lower blood sugar levels: Some research suggests that consuming apple cider vinegar before a high-carb meal may help lower blood sugar levels. However, more studies are needed to confirm this effect.
Improved heart health: Some early research suggests that apple cider vinegar may have beneficial effects on heart health, such as reducing bad cholesterol and blood pressure. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects. I tend to have slightly higher than normal cholesterol so hopefully in 3 months, the numbers come down but we’ll see.
Here are some tips on how I started using apple cider vinegar:
- Start small: Consume one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per day.
- Dilute it: Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water or juice before consuming to avoid damaging your tooth enamel.
- Drink it before a meal: Drinking apple cider vinegar before a meal may help to lower blood sugar levels and improve fullness.
In conclusion, apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy with a long history of use. Although more research is needed to confirm its potential health benefits, many people find it to be a helpful addition to their daily routine.
Stay well!
-
Job Searching: is there a right way?
Having grown my career slowly and steadily, I have some tips on how to make your next move. Strategies today and strategies from yesterday are not that different but how we implement them is what makes the difference. If you’re a new graduate, check out the ebook on Amazon, Making the last hoop!
One of the most important things to go after is a job that you like going to! Sometimes our circumstances prevent us from moving and finding that ideal job and we end up looking for satisfaction in our jobs but if you’re able to look elsewhere, what stops you from finding something you really want to do? That’s an important question to ask yourself. We often look for more money as driver but does more money actually make you happy if you don’t like what you do? For me, each job change was driven by a need to learn more and live in a different place while taking on that opportunity. Sometimes the gamble paid off, other times not so much but that’s how you find the good fit!
How did I find a job that I liked? Well, was my health good, did I have a lot of job stress, did I have free time and work-life balance? Depending on the answer to these questions, I would either move on or stay put. Everyone’s journey is slightly different so check out the book and see which tips might apply to you!
Stay well!
-
Overthinking
Lying awake at night and thinking about what next or having deep thoughts about life, sound like you? I tend to do this a lot and it’s not because I’m stressed (or at least I hope not) but because my brain needs to constantly create new ideas and looks forward to this thought process. It’s a habit that I’ve had since I was a kid. I tend to overthink even the simplest of things but sometimes this trait is a good thing too.
Depending on the situation, overthinking could be good. Working in the scientific world, a good scientist looks at all possibilities and then using data makes a conclusion. Utilizing the scientific method, in essence, requires you to think and overthink your actions. This is a positive! On the other hand, thinking during the middle of the night about a project or a financial or family challenge probably isn’t a good thing unless at 3a you tend to get genius ideas that you actually note down. This is a con at times! So what can you do about it?
Meditation is one of the best ways to limit this overthinking. It takes practice and is not easy but it really helps when done. Exercise and sleep are both important during the day and can stabilize cortisol levels. And if you must, there are supplements like melatonin and ashwangha that can possibly aid with calming and sleep (ask your doctor about any supplement before you take it!) . Overthinking has no solution but there are ways to limit it and capitalize on it as needed.
Stay well!
-
Daily habit
What is that one thing you must do everyday and has become a daily habit for you? Is it something you do as soon as you wake up or perhaps right before bed? Maybe, you don’t even know it’s a habit until you don’t do it and it throws you off that day? I have many such habits but the best one for me is having green tea before bedtime.. Of course it’s decaffeinated so I can sleep.
Green tea has many possible benefits from helping with cholesterol management to weight loss to stabilizing your blood sugar, these are just some of the reasons people drink it but why do I drink it? I drink it for the warm comfort it provides right before bed. It also helps me digest my dinner. Plus, I just feel good after drinking it. Sometimes a habit is created just because it feels good, the added bonus, it comes with other benefits too!
Stay well!
-
Eating When Hungry
Considering it’s the new year and people are returning to the gym and making resolutions, one thing we forget when we start a health and fitness journey is to focus on eating not only healthy items but when to eat. For most the struggle is to eat healthier but for me, the struggle is to eat and when to eat.
Nutrient timing is so important and there are so many articles on Google that you can pull up and even apps like RP Diet help you with this but how good is an app with that when you’re busy working or not feeling like eating. Carb cycling is another way people manage their diet but just like nutrient timing, it takes a lot of planning and requires you to eat even if you’re not hungry so is there a solution? I haven’t found a solution but I did learn to listen to my body. I eat when I need to and don’t when I don’t want to. Mind you, I’m not starving, it’s just that I have now learned, from over the years, what my body needs for that day’s activities. Tracking via My Fitness Pal also helps me stay focused so that’s a good tool that I like as well. I’d rather eat when needed then force myself to eat or eat mindless calories as well. I totally get that the benefit of nutrient timing is that people can avoid an insulin spike and avoid overconsumption of calories at any one meal but sticking to that regimented approach is tough and not for everyone.
The health and fitness journey truly is a lifestyle change not a trend or fad to follow–this took me a long time to realize!
Stay well!
-
Jumping on a trend!
Whether you use TikTok or Instagram, both have items that are constantly trending. Millions of social media subscribers see these products and then go purchase it because of the influencer. From Mielle’s rosemary oil to The Ordinary products to Paleo vs Keto, reach is high and brand awareness is increased but is going viral always the best thing?
As influencers promote products, people forget some have contracts with those companies, some are genuine users, while others are just providing misinformation especially since there truly is no fact checking occurring. As someone who values data and looks for science-backed research, not having that and going by what a stranger tells me, feels all sorts of wrong. In the day and age of fast results, I guess it makes sense for these influencers to promote items and we buy into it. Another con of jumping on the trend is that certain products are made for certain reasons and often companies may increase price or change formulas just because something is Hot! Not everything is meant for everyone’s use but we forget that often as we have the choice to buy even though that choice is now influenced by something on social media.
Remember, what works for one person may not work for you as we all have a different body chemistry and environment. I’m a huge fan of Vitamin C and D but I know why I take these based on my career and scientific knowledge. Without the right resources, I caution you from jumping on a trend as it may cause you more harm than good!
Stay well!
-
Happy New Year!
As the new year begins, resolutions are hard not to make but why do we need to make them on Jan 1? Why are we conditioned to think a new start happens on the first of the month and that we need to achieve something within a defined amount of time? I understand people use this as a calendar point for tracking some objective but there must be a better way, right? I don’t make resolutions for many reasons but primarily because no matter how SMART the goal is, I sometimes am able to achieve it while other times not. So what do I do?
I make long-term and short-term goals. One of my main things to achieve is to make more friends. Being an introvert and a working professional, it is so hard to make new friends. I have lived in many places in the country but still can count my good friends on one hand. Yeah, I miss having local friends to hang out with but when you don’t drink, how do you meet people. I joined Crossfit a long time ago for the community aspect but though I made some good gym friends, no one to hang out with outside of it. Growing up and focusing on your career sure can change your personal relationships so the one thing that I’m focusing on this year is making new friends. No long-term or short-term goal here just taking it as it comes. Even with all the social media connections, real-world interactions are so important to grow as a person. My short-term goals well, to continue to exercise and continue to stay healthy–ok, I guess both could be long-term as well. Priorities like making the gym a meeting on my calendar make it easier to sustain unless the weather plays havoc!
No matter where you are in your journey in life, I wish you a wonderful 2023! Happy New Year!
Stay well!
-
The Days Between Christmas and New Year’s Day
To me, the best time of the year is those days between Christmas and New Year’s. I’m surprised all companies don’t give these days off. Totally would help employee morale plus then you don’t have to struggle to save PTO days for this time frame. I get it that companies don’t want to shut down completely and can’t avoid it but I wonder if there is a better solution out there? Until that solution exists, we trod along!
I try to take these days off every year if I can because honestly, it feels great to go into hibernation mode and just do the bare minimum. Getting up late, going to the gym, eating somewhat healthy, enjoying Netflix, and binge-watching all on vacation mode is just exactly what I need for my mental health. I wish in the US we got as many holidays as the Europeans got. For some reason, the US culture is all about working continuously and long hours while our European counterparts tend to get 40 days of vacation! I mean, come on, work is work everywhere but somehow the US lags in many places including work-life balance.
What do you like to do during this time frame? I know for some it means flying back from visiting family, others unwind after the whirlwind in the house, while some start taking down Christmas decorations. I also tend to run errands like returning Christmas gifts that perhaps weren’t the best fit and of course, try to take advantage of the 70% off sale for Christmas decor that is going on–got to get a headstart for next year! Enjoy these last few days of 2022!
Stay well!
-
Avoiding Overeating during the holidays
Holiday time means a lot of food is about to be consumed. No matter if you celebrate the holidays or not, there is an abundance of seasonal food available that is too good to pass up. So what do you do? Pass or eat?
My strategy is to eat in moderation the sweet treats and indulge on the main course which I hope is as balanced as I expect. Of course, I also try to get to the gym at least 3x a week during this period because I don’t want to struggle in the new year. I also up my water intake during the holiday time as that too prevents me from overeating. No matter the strategy, I try to enjoy every meal so as not to disappoint any family members. Gratitude for the food and family is most important!
Stay well!
-
Happy Holidays!
Christmas time is not just for ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS by Mariah Carey–but that too is a staple of the holiday now–or for shopping and eating but also time for reflection as the new year slowly approaches. Not only is family time so important but not taking for granted those that are in your life is even more important. Yes, the gifts around the tree are AWESOME but no matter where you are in life or what age you are, reflecting on the year is so important as it provides much insight for you and your growth.
Having faced challenges from different reasons to visit the hospital to simply enjoying a moment of respite for traveling, it all is something that causes me to pause and reflect. I heard somewhere that happiness is hard to come by and is fleeting while sadness and despair is always around the corner, do you agree with this? I’m not sure because only your level of stress, endorphin, and cortisol levels are also a driver of how you feel. What I do know is that looking for the good in your life should result in happiness in your life.
As I reflect upon this year, one thing is clear, stress management is not easy and sometimes it just sneaks up on you. My stress relief was the gym, just going in when I didn’t want to was surprisingly exhilarating. I also realized that as I get older, I got to change how much I eat as calories just don’t melt away anymore, it takes hard work now, even more so! Finally, as I get older so do my loved ones so cherishing time with them has become even more important. Though some folks think that seeing their lives on social media is enough to let others know of their well-being, nothing beats a face-to-face connection! Also, I learned that I need to continue to be the best version of myself so that I can help others be the best version of themselves. How can you encourage others if you find fault in yourself, right? What did you learn about yourself this year? Didn’t think about this yet? Pause and comment below, if you like.
Stay well!
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
amitunfiltered.com 