Adaptogens Help You Adapt to Stress

Adaptogens Help You Adapt to Stress

By: Nikken

PUBLISHED ON September 8, 2017

Adaptogens are a class of herbs that help bodies adapt to physical and environmental stress. They help ease the stress response by helping to regulate important hormones that cope with fatigue, a common condition of chronic stress. Adaptogens offer numerous health benefits, and the better known ones include:

• A boost for the immune system1
• Support for managing a healthy weight2
• Increased physical endurance and mental focus
• Reduction in discomfort caused by poor health3
• Encouraging a balanced mood4

To qualify as an adaptogen, an herb must be completely safe, non-toxic, have broad uses for health and specifically must help reduce stress, both mental and physical.5

Stress actually is supposed to exist only in short bursts, which our bodies are geared to deal with well. However, the ongoing stress that exists as a part of modern living causes our adrenal systems to work constantly and suffer from overload. This in turn causes our bodies to get knocked out of balance. We most commonly experience this imbalance in our digestive systems and low energy levels. Adaptogens work by helping the hormones of the adrenal system to balance out and counter adrenal fatigue. In the same way, some adaptogens help shorten recovery times after exercise or intense physical activities.

One of the adaptogens that is well known even in the western world comes from the tradition of Ayurveda: Ashwagandha is so valued that it is referred to by some as “Indian ginseng.” Studies show that those who consume ashwagandha “enjoy dramatic improvements in how they handle and feel stress. It is also taken to keep the mind sharp, and for energy.”6

Another adaptogen is one of the hottest herbal commodities on the market today: turmeric . Just about every benefit has been attributed to consuming turmeric in one form or another. Used generously throughout Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been shown to promote circulation, relieve joint and muscular discomforts, and enhance the functions of the liver.7

Adaptogens have been part of the Eastern vernacular for centuries. In more recent years, the West has adopted them for a natural approach to Active Wellness and longevity. Nikken continues to combine the best of eastern traditions with western technology: Ashwagandha and turmeric are both contained in the Kenzen® Clarity and Kenzen® Cleanse & Detox formulations.

1. Seely D, Singh R. Adaptogenic Potential of a Polyherbal Natural Health Product: Report on a Longitudinal Clinical Trial. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM. 2007;4(3):375-380. doi:10.1093/ecam/nel101.
2. Panossian A1, Wikman G, Kaur P, Asea A. Adaptogens exert a stress-protective effect by modulation of expression of molecular chaperones. Phytomedicine. 2009 Jun;16(6-7):617-22. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2008.12.003. Epub 2009 Feb 1.
3. Vyas P, Thakar AB, Baghel MS, Sisodia A, Deole Y. Efficacy of Rasayana Avaleha as adjuvant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in reducing adverse effects. Ayu. 2010;31(4):417-423. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.82029.
4. Smirnova MD, Svirida ON, Ageev FT, Forfanova TV, Vitsenia MV, Mikhalov GV. [The ability to use meldonium as adaptogen in winter in patients with cardiovascular disease]. Kardiologiia. 2014;54(10):51-6.

1. http://www.medicinehunter.com/adaptogens
2. https://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/what-are-adaptogens/
3. https://www.yinovacenter.com/blog/live-longer-live-stronger-10-of-the-best-herbal-adaptogens-for-anti-aging/

Sleep for Better Health

Sleep for Better Health

“Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together”

— Thomas Dekker

Like many others, getting enough sleep and  good quality sleep was one issue that was very difficult for me through much of my adult life. My sleep was often interrupted with thoughts, projects or just that flood of ideas that ran through my head preventing me from going to sleep. Once asleep, (if I really was?), I would wake up every few hours and look at the clock.  Doze and look at the clock became what I considered to be a normal sleep pattern for me. From a personal standpoint, my perception of sleep was that it seemed like a waste of valuable time. A non-productive part of my day. Not until my mid-40’s did I take heed of what I knew about sleep to be healthy by choice.

In our fast paced, highly productive lives, we often sacrifice sleep for other activities. This is due in part to this perception of sleep as a non-productive endeavor, when from a physiological and health standpoint it is the most productive time of our day. Work that must be completed, a project that just must be finished, studying for that mid-term, getting up an hour early to exercise or miss that rush hour traffic on the way to work are a few of many reasons we rationalize not sleeping but for the most part it is our perception of sleep. Sleep is anything but a waste of time. While many people think of sleeping as the body “shutting off” until morning, nodding off activates an organized, complex process to help you feel rested and healthy the next day. 

Until the 1950s, most people thought of sleep as a passive, dormant part of our daily lives. William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is the world's leading authority on sleep. For this pioneering work in a previously uncharted field, he is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. To quote Dr. Dement, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.”

"I used to suggest that sleep is the third pillar of good health, along with diet and exercise," says Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. "But I don't agree with that anymore. Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body for health."

In a 2015 CNN documentary Sleep with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, he states, “If you have an extra hour in the day to exercise, you would be well advised to use that hour for sleep, as it will provide more health benefits.”

Given all the scientific evidence to the importance and benefits of a good night’s sleep we are a sleep-sick society, ignorant of the facts of sleep and the price of sleep deficiency.

It is estimated that nearly 70% of American’s do not get adequate sleep. National Institute of Heath research studies on sleep state that the average American gets less than 7 hours of sleep per night. Cognitive performance after less than six hours of sleep is equivalent to getting no sleep for 48 straight hours.  Cognitive performance relates to mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning. 

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Sleep Deprivation Statistics from the American Sleep Association:

37% of 20-39 year-olds report short sleep duration

40% of 40-59 year-olds report short sleep duration

35.3% adults report <7 hours of sleep during a typical 24-hour period.

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A good read on the importance of sleep and ways to get a better night’s sleep are elucidated in Dr. Dement’s book The Promise of Sleep.

One thing I do and suggest others do is to make sleep a priority. It may sound funny, but schedule sleep like any other daily activity, so put it on your "to-do list" and cross it off every night. Don’t make sleep the thing you do only after everything else is done. Stop doing other activities so you get the sleep you need. I realize that this is not easy for many of us, but give it a try and you will see that with more and better quality of sleep your mood, effectiveness and productivity will improve.

Sleep Matters and getting enough sleep is one way that we all can be healthier, more productive and happier.

Tips for a better night's sleep: 

• Stick to a sleep schedule, even on weekends.
• Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual.
• Exercise daily.
• Evaluate your bedroom to ensure ideal temperature, sound and light.
• Beware of hidden sleep stealers, like alcohol and caffeine.
• Turn off electronics before bed. Avoid reading on electronic devices.
• Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.

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Healthy Sleep System

Since you spend a third of your life sleeping it is as important to choose healthy bedding as it is you living room couch and matching drapes. . “Most mattresses contain a petroleum-based polyurethane foam and flame retardants that release volatile organic compounds, which can pollute your bedroom air, irritate your respiratory system, and cause skin problems and other allergies,” saysTasha Stoiber, EWG senior scientist. Stoiber’s tips:

Look for natural materials: Choose a mattress that include at least 95 percent organic content, such as cotton, wool, or natural latex. 

Avoid fire retardants: Chlorinated Tris, a chemical flame retardant commonly found in mattresses, sleeping mats, pillows, and futons, is a known neurotoxin and carcinogen.

Wash and cover: “When you’re tossing and turning in bed, you can stir up a lot of dust in your mattress that can potentially cause allergy issues. It’s important to frequently launder your bedding, and vacuum your mattress once in a while.” Also, use a mattress cover, preferably one made of tightly-woven, organic cotton, to avoid dust mites.

Steer clear of additives: Mattresses and toppers treated with antimicrobial solutions and added scents can contain hidden carcinogens.

I recommend a visit to our Kenko Sleep Shop for the best in healthy choice sleep. 

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Sleep is an essential physiological process. 

Get 8 hours a night of good quality sleep. It’s one way to be Healthy by Choice.

“Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year olds”

— JoJo Jensen, Dirt Farmer Wisdom, 2002

Have You Heard of the Brain-Gut Connection?

Have You Heard of the Brain-Gut Connection?

by Nikken

The brain-gut connection is a big deal. It is revolutionizing the way doctors and scientists approach digestion, mood, health and the way we think. One way to understand it is to picture a “brain in the gut,” which is actually known as the enteric nervous system (ENS). It’s composed of more than 100 million nerve cells that line the G.I. tract running from the esophagus to the rectum.

Internationally renowned ENS specialist Dr. Jay Pasricha says, “The enteric nervous system doesn’t seem capable of thought as we know it, but it communicates back and forth with our big brain with profound results. Its main role is controlling digestion, from swallowing to the release of enzymes that break down food to the control of blood flow that helps with nutrient absorption to elimination. For decades, researchers and doctors thought that anxiety and depression contributed to gut problems, but our studies and others show that it may also be the other way around.”1

In keeping up with the latest scientific developments, Nikken has launched Kenzen® Lactoferrin 2.0™ as an integral component of Active Wellness. The lactoferrin in the formulation addresses the body’s need for iron to help hemoglobin carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. But Lactoferrin 2.0 takes the formulation up to a superior level with four organic ingredients that work to support the G.I. tract and mental health, which addresses the important brain-gut connection. Here’s how:

• Our Organic Inulin is sourced from Jerusalem Artichoke, known to be high in potassium, iron, essential amino acids and protein.2 Organic Inulin is soluble so it dissolves in the stomach and forms a gelatinous substance that helps slow digestion to allow better nutrient absorption and a slow release of sugar. This slower digestion promotes healthy blood sugar levels. Organic Inulin aids digestion by helping to increase good bacteria in the gut and stimulating the immune system.3
• Organic Rhodiola rosea has been used in China and Siberia for thousands of years to help soothe, calm and relax people who are stressed, depressed or fatigued. Research shows it to have a positive effect on cognitive health, including boosting memory and concentration.4 Research also shows this adaptogen helps speed up fat-burning cells when combined with exercise. 5
• Organic Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and is effective against nausea and exercise-induced muscle discomforts. It helps empty the stomach more quickly, which benefits people with indigestion and related issues. There is some evidence that organic Ginger enhances working memory and reaction time, helps inhibit the growth of bad oral bacteria and helps reduce LDL cholesterol and blood triglyceride levels.6
• More than 600 health benefits are attributed to Organic Turmeric, but in Lactoferrin 2.0, it works synergistically as a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It helps promote brain health as well as supporting the G.I. system. See “Turmeric: Hot Topic of the Year.”

1 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/healthy_body/the-brain-gut-connection

2 http://www.chatelaine.com/health/diet/five-health-benefits-of-jerusalem-artichokes-sunchokes/

3 https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/top-inulin-benefits#overview1

4, 5 https://www.organicfacts.net/rhodiola-rosea.html

6 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-benefits-of-ginger

Be Healthy by Choice and not by Chance