The High Cost of Energy

It seems energy can be found everywhere these days. Energy in a can, energy in a cup, energy in a bottle…Wherever it is, people are looking for it because, well, we seem to be lacking it.

Generally speaking, synthetic energy enhancement can have some long term health consequences, one of which is a dependence on whatever substance it is that’s giving you that extra boost. In fact, new research from Wayne State University says that one of the most popular—and easy to find—energy enhancers can pose health risks to people with heart conditions: energy drinks.

I’m sure you’ve seen these energy drinks. According to researchers, popular energy drinks like Red Bull cause the heart rate to race at rates dangerous for people with heart conditions like heart disease.

Researchers found that within four hours of drinking various energy drinks, the 15 participants’ blood pressure rates and heart rates increased approximately 10 percent for the systolic rate, 8 percent for the diastolic rate and heart rates increased 11 percent! Researchers note that these levels are of little importance for healthy young adults (the average age of participants was 26) but these kinds of levels can be serious for people with heart conditions. One researcher said that these results can be “clinically significant” for those who take medication to treat their heart condition as energy drinks may adversely affect heart medications’ effectiveness. And while these energy drinks are often used when performing activities that require focus, heart rates increased for these participants while sedentary, watching movies.

In short, researchers advise anyone who has a heart condition to avoid energy drinks until further research is done. But you really ought to avoid these energy drinks all together. They’re loaded with caffeine, which has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular problems, extreme mood swings and dependence.

So, how do you boost your energy levels naturally? Perhaps the easiest way is to get more sleep. Granted, we all have busy schedules, but you really need at least eight hours of sleep a night to ensure that your ripe, ready, refreshed and raring to go for the week ahead. Another way is by exercising more frequently, which has been shown to fight fatigue and boost energy levels. You can also take Omega 3 and CoQ10 supplements. These supplements enhance the fatty acids and enzymes that are already in your body. In fact, when you feel like your energy levels are especially low, it may be because your co enzyme levels are so low. A CoQ10 supplement is exactly what you need in such a situation.

Another easy way to increase energy levels is to EAT BREAKFAST! Not eating breakfast has been directly correlated with those who feel lethargic throughout the day. The best breakfast combines complex carbohydrates (e.g. whole grain, 100 percent whole wheat bread) with quality proteins that have essential amino acids (e.g. hard boiled egg).

It’s not rocket science, it’s just a matter of being considerate of your health and what it takes to stay energized—the natural way.