- Inspire Your Journey

How To Boost Metabolism & Control Sugar Cravings

Type-2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, affecting approximately 100 million Americans. It is characterized by a condition called insulin resistance, where the body cannot effectively use the hormone insulin to bring glucose (blood sugar) into the cells and muscles for energy. This causes glucose to accumulate in the blood at higher than normal levels, putting people’s health in danger.

Insulin is beneficial for appetite and blood sugar control. It helps transport glucose into the muscle cells to be used primarily for energy; it drives blood sugar to the brain which is the brain’s primary source of energy using about 150 grams/day. Insulin will also drive amino acids into muscle cells for protein synthesis and transport glucose into fat cells for storage.

Stress can interfere with our body’s ability to allow insulin to do its job. When we are under chronic stress, the body is producing high levels of cortisol. High cortisol blocks insulin function causing large fluctuations in blood sugar levels which leads to an imbalanced metabolism: we crave more calories (when blood sugar is low), so we take in more energy, but we’re not burning those calories as efficiently so we’re storing more energy which can also lead to weight gain.

Mitochondria Fun Facts

Per Dr. Shawn Talbott, Chief Science Officer of Amare Global.

The mitochondria are very similar to the microbiome in our gut with its trillions of bacteria. Millions of years ago, the mitochondria were free living bacteria with which our bodies co-evolved.
At the present time, mitochondria are not bacteria, they are organelles inside our cells that generate energy. With metabolism, it consistently returns to the individual mitochondria which are the powerhouse of the cell. This where our calories actually get burned and energy is generated for cell metabolism and energy production.
If your metabolism is off because your insulin is being blocked, you get a lot of oxidative stress and inflammatory stress which sets off its own cascade of metabolic reactions at the cellular level which can lead to cellular damage.

AMARE GLOBAL PRODUCTS

Amare Global offers natural nutrition proudcts to help reduce feelings of anxiety while improving your metabolisim, energy, and focus. Amare products will help to normalize the gut-brain axis where the signaling and communication is taking place between the tissues and the cells. The goal is to lower cortisol levels so that insulin can do its job.

People report back: “I’m losing weight”, “My appetite is changing”, and “I don’t feel this drive toward junk food anymore.”

MentaBiotics

Lowering stress and cortisol levels can be done directly in the brain by the effect of Suntheanine which is found in MentaBiotics. Suntheanine increases Alpha brainwaves which helps to control sugar cravings.

MOOD +

Key Ingredient is Ashwagandha by Sensoril. In the short term, a calming effect is felt in one to two hours. Over the long term, taken as a supplement for at least 4 weeks, you will start to see a modulation of your entire stress response profile.

VitaGBX

The phytonutrients within VitaGBX activate a series of cellular defense responses (CDRs) which initiate the Nrf2 pathway reducing oxidative stress. VitaGBX includes nutrients that activate other CDRs that reduce inflammation (Nf-kB), increase longevity (SIRT1), enhance metabolism (MTOR), and stimulate cellular cleanup (autophagy).

How to Use the Amare Global Products

Metabolism has a cascade effect throughout our entire body, and there is continuous cross-talk between our hormone systems. From a metabolic perspective, taking Amare’s products will be beneficial for optimizing your caloric expenditure, balancing blood sugar levels, and maintaining your weight control. Because these products are going to change how the hormones communicate with one another, your energy levels, mood, focus, and overall stamina will improve.

It is important to establish proper metabolism at the cellular level first by reducing the oxidative and inflammatory stress. Once we improve cellular function, then we can focus upon the metabolic level, and lastly, we can target the microbiome/gut-brain axis. In this way, we are getting to the root cause first and addressing the stress that is causing the imbalance.

Susan Kapatoes
C: 508-282-7877
E: susan@inspireyourjourney.com

The author, Susan Kapatoes, MHA is a nutritionist and the founder of Inspire Your Journey, a holistic wellness company. She is a Wellness Partner with Amare Global, and an Independent Distributor with BEMER Therapy and Healy World. She lives in Massachusetts.

References

Harvard Publishing, (2011). Understanding the stress response – Harvard Health. [online] health.harvard.edu. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-stress-response

Moloudizargari, M., Mortaz, E., Asghari, M. H., Adcock, I. M., Redegeld, F. A., & Garssen, J. (2018). Effects of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA and DHA, on hematological malignancies: a systematic review. Oncotarget, 9(14), 11858-11875. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.24405

Murata M, e. (2001). Dual action of eicosapentaenoic acid in hepatoma cells: up-regulation of metabolic action of insulin and inhibition of cell proliferation. – PubMed – NCBI. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=EPA+IMPROVES+CELL+CYCLE

Lyon MR, e. (2011). The effects of L-theanine (Suntheanine®) on objective sleep quality in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a randomized, dou… – PubMed – NCBI. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22214254

Talbott, S. (2018). Science Deep Dive, Insulin/Thyroid Metabolism via GBX. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLg1kEZEEzo

March 1, 2019/by Susan Kapatoes

The Road to Wellness Through Gut Health

Nutrition

The morning meals that I consume on a daily basis are vital to maintaining my gut health. Research shows that the health of your gut, which is made up of trillions of bacteria, directly impacts your overall wellbeing and state of mental wellness. The majority of digestive microbes are found in the large intestine, and they are collectively referred to as the gut microbiome.

Once I started to pay more attention to my stomach and dietary lifestyle, I noticed three postive changes to my health. I now consume more fruits and vegetables, eat very little added sugar, have decreased my meat and dairy consumption, and take gut boosting supplements on a daily basis. This combination of eating a healthy diet plus taking probiotics has transformed my health. Here’s what I noticed.

Three Positive Changes

First, there was an immediate change in the quality and frequency of my bowel movements. I became more regular and detoxification is essential for health. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed a change in my body’s metabolism. It is not what it used to be. I realize now that I have to be very careful with my diet in order to keep my body clean.

Second, my sugar cravings have all but disappeared. When you crave sugar and start eating junk food instead of choosing a healthy alternative, this decision sets off a chain reaction in your body that has you wanting more and more sugary food. You never truly feel satisfied because the unhealthy food is made of empty, non-nutrient calories.

Third, and perhaps most significantly, I now have a much cleaner tongue. Ironically, this was not the goal when I ventured onto the road of gut health. But having a more beautified tongue has been a welcoming and surprising benefit. No one likes a white coating on their tongue so I’m doing something right!

Recipes To Start Your Engine

Here are two nourishing meals that I consume every morning. They offer high quality body fuel and taste great!

Power Protein Shake

8 oz organic unsweetened cocunt milk
1/2 banana
Handful mixed berries
1 tsp seed fiber
1 scoop protein powder
1 scoop probiotic powder

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes. Enjoy!

Oatmeal with Blueberries

1/4 c organic quick cook steel cut oats
1/4 c water
1 tsp superfood powder
1/4 c frozen wild blueberries

Cook the oatmeal according to instructions. Add the blueberries & superfood powder. Enjoy!

The author, Susan Kapatoes, MHA is a nutritionist and the founder of Inspire Your Journey, a holistic wellness company. She is a Wellness Partner with Amare Global, and an Independent Distributor with BEMER Therapy and Healy World. She lives in Massachusetts.

February 3, 2019/by Susan Kapatoes

Organic Food Culture: An Explanation

Nutrition

We have seen our food labeled with the word “organic”, but what does organic really mean in relation to the fruits, vegetables, and meat products that most of us consume on a daily basis? According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the production of organic foods does not simply mean the avoidance of conventional chemicals. Organic farming supports overall system health by implementing a wide range of management practices to ensure biological diversity and soil fertility.

Organic farmers apply techniques used thousands of years ago, such as crop rotations and natural pest management in ways that are economically sustainable in today’s world. In order to ensure that you are getting a certified organic product, it is recommended to look for the USDA Certified Label on your food product:

USDA ORGANIC Food Label

When you buy food products that have the USDA ORGANIC label, you are buying a product that has been produced using the quality standards that are required by the USDA in order for them to label a food as organic. The USDA does not guarantee that organic agricultural practices are completely free of all synthetic chemical residues, but the methods that are used will minimize the pollution from our air, soil and water to the best of their ability.

The key factors that comprise organic farming principles include:

Reduction or elimination of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, hormones, and antibiotics.
Use of crop rotations to manage weeds and maintain long-term soil health.
Soil conservation, water cleanliness, and practices that restore ecological balance.

What Defines an Organic Food Product?

The USDA defines organic vegetables, meat, poultry, & dairy products as the following:

“Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.” Consumer Brochure, USDA National Organic Program

Get Involved with your Local CSA

In order to learn more about organic food, there is no better way than to get involved with a local organic farm that offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. In a CSA, you become a shareholder of that farm. You prepay a sum of money at the beginning of the year which allows farmers to buy the seeds and other supplies they need for the season. You reap the rewards of the bounty that is distributed as the produce becomes available for harvest.

The Moose Hill Farm CSA

I am grateful to have discovered a USDA certified organic CSA close to my home. It is the Farm at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon, Massachusetts. Community is an important part of all CSAs, and Moose Hill is no exception. The members have like-minded goals. They care about the quality of food they put into their body and preserving the farm for future generations.

A group of volunteers weeding the fields at Moose Hill Farm. Photo courtesy of the Moose Hill CSA.

Here is a short video clip of the Moose Hill Farm CSA. I love the personalization of the harvesting – at the end of this video, the names of the people who helped with the harvesting and preparation of the fruits and vegetables are listed, reminding us that we are all in this together. Nice touch!

Growth of Organic Agriculture in the United States

According to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, there has been a steady growth in the number of U.S. certified organic farms and businesses since the count began in 2002. In April of 2017, the USDA reported 24,650 certified organic farming operations in the United States, a 70 percent increase since 2008. This steady growth reflects an increased awareness by the general public regarding the value of organic food products.

Closing Thoughts

The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of the soil, plants, animals and people. Organic farming involves much more than choosing not to use synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics and growth hormones. The organic process is a holistic system designed to be sustainable and harmonious with the environment, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the healthy produce and food products that we enjoy today.