Chia Seeds for Runners!

Ok, I've read a lot about these lately....but what are they all about?

Aztecs survived for days purely on chia. How can that be? Well, they are filled with omega-3 fatty acids (higher than flax seed!), filled with protein, fiber and antioxidants (and tons of other healthy stuff). They are also gluten-free and their slight nutty flavor incorporates nicely in baked foods or yogurts, salads and smoothies. They also store in the fridge/cupbaord for months, as they are no where nearly as rancid-prone compared to the alternatives.

Daily use? Sure! 1-2 tablespoons before a workout can provide you with enough energy for up to 90 minutes! And yet, your stomach isn't bloated since its easily absorbed into your body.

Also, if you soak them first for 15 minutes, the gel that forms illustrates the soluble fiber. This same process occurs inside your stomach as well. This gel (in your stomach) creates a barrier between carbs and their enzymes...which essentially slows the conversion of carbs into sugar. So, less sugar crashes while exercising, and increases endurance! It also absorbs more than 12 times their weight in water...therefore reducing the potential for dehydration.

Now, this is definitely on my list of things to try...in fact, I just ordered some using the vitacost code today! I'll provide a synopsis once I've tried my experiment (and received my vitamix!).

For more information, you may want to check Run Faster Mommy for her related blog post!

Vitacost Free Healthy Things!

Well, almost free.... If you are new and you sign up for Vitacost using this link, they will send you a code for $10 off. Today only, they will charge only $2.22 S&H for orders under $22....and any order over $22 is free! Go ahead and snag some healthy supplements or whatnot for almost free today!

I love this store for supplements, protein, and all around things that are great for runners and those health conscious eaters out there!

Disclaimer: this is my referral link. Once you make a purchase, I will get credit that i can use. Its a win-win for all!

Supplements Galore

Ok, I've mentioned CLA, Kelp and Mercola's B-12 Spray, but I thought I'd give you a run-down on other supplements that may be beneficial to you for health and weight management...no reason not to fight aging beauty while still improving your physical performance!

• Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA): provides continuous energy to the cels and prevents free radical damage..an anti-aging all-star!


• Fish Oil: pure form of DMAE and Omega-3s. Supports overall health, helps elevate mood, improves cognitive function and supports healthy weight loss


• Acetyl-L Carnitine: anti-oxident that is central to the production of cellular energy. It supports a healthy metabolism and is also known to improve memory


• DMAE: Great for mind and skin. It helps to lift and firm your skin's appearance, while enhancing facial contours and addressing sagging skin. It also helps memory and problem-solving abilities.


• Evening Primrose Oil: Healthy weight loss and supports a healthy metabolism...also regulates a cycle wonderfully.


• COQ10: Fights against free radical damage, making it indispensable for anti-aging....and it plays a critical role in proper cell energy function.


• Calcium Pyruvate:


• Green Tea Extract:


• Chromium Picolinate:

Supplements: CLA

So, there is also another supplement that I've been taking, but its pricey by comparison of Kelp. For $40, you can get a 180-day supply at GNC for Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA).

CLA is a polyunsaturated, conjugated fatty acid that is a natural part of the human diet, found primarily in meat and dairy products. CLA is a trans-fat (which are thought to increase the risk of coronary heart disease). However, it is claimed that conjugated linoleic acid is not harmful in the same way as other trans fatty acids, but rather is beneficial. CLA is primarily found in the meat and dairy product of ruminants (i.e. cattle, goats, sheep, etc.).
CLA is thought to be a natural dietary supplement that induces a combination of fat loss and muscle gain. The benefits of conjugated linoleic acid are believed to include:
Decrease in fat
Increase in muscle growth
Increase in metabolic rate
Protects against fat gain following weight loss, thus maintaining initial reductions in body fat and weight, in the long-term.
May lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels

“CLA doesn't make a big fat cell get little. What it rather does is keep a little fat cell from getting big.”
It is hypothesized that conjugated linoleic acid helps glucose pass into muscle cells more effectively, thus preventing glucose from being converted into fat. It is also thought to help fats enter the cell membranes of muscle and connective tissue, where the fat is burned for fuel.

Pariza's research did not find weight loss in his group of 71 overweight people, but what he did find was that when the dieters stopped dieting, and gained back weight, those taking CLA "were more likely to gain muscle and not fat.'' In a separate study conducted at Purdue University in Indiana, CLA was found to improve insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetic patients, and moderately reduced the blood glucose level and triglyceride levels.CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and findings also suggest that some of the other benefits of CLA include the following:
Increases metabolic rate -- This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism -- even when treated -- can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.
Decreases abdominal fat -- Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.
Enhances muscle growth -- Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides -- Since many thyroid patients have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit can have an impact on a thyroid patient's health.
Lowers insulin resistance -- Insulin resistance is a risk for some hypothyroid patients, and lowering it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to control weight.
Reduces food-induced allergic reactions -- Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes difficult, this can be of help to thyroid patients.
Enhances immune system -- Since most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature, enhancing the immune system's ability to function properly is a positive benefit. If you're interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in mind that it's not a magic pill, and you will need to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off.

Supplements: Kelp

So, over the years, I've had my thyroid checked a few times. See, I can do the same amount of work that anyone else can do, but my weight just doesn't drop off! My thyroid has always come back as ok, so its always been very disheartening. But, strangely, I had my T3 and T4 Free checked earlier this year. While I still found it a bit complicated, basically T3 and T4 are the outputs of your thyroid...so even though your thyroid is operating properly, your T3 and T4 are what drives your metabolism. And those? They were operating at about the farthest from the bell curve as possible without being considered atypical.

Now, what does that mean? Quite simply, you take 100 people and find out their levels....you throw out the lowest 5 and highest 5 as outliers (basically just because they supposedly don't represent the norm and medically-speaking probably need medical intervention). Every other person is considered a normal and healthy range. But, give where I fell on that bell curve...I was like #7 from the bottom of T3/T4 volume. So, while I technically do not have a medical problem, I certainly have to work much harder than most people out there!

So, what do you do? Since both T3 and T4 are hormones produced by the thyroid gland that help the body's metabolic function, you may want to supplement. There are some synethetic ones out there, but those have side effects. There are also some T3 and T4 supplements out there by Armour Thyroid which I did try...these are not synethic, but typically not covered by insurance. A 90 day supply runs you about $80. I gave it a go....but won't use it again.

After doing some more research....I summized that if my T3 and T4 output is low, and my thyroid is operating properly, why not adjust my input! Iodine works to regular your thyroid output and hormone production. Remember, the thyroid is a gland that regulates many body processes, including weight, metabolism, and energy. Iodine is basically the fuel for your thyroid. And, iodine is cheap! The more clean form of iodine is kelp. Kelp and iodine has a normalizing effect on the thyroid gland. Naturally underweight people can gain weight with kelp, while naturally overweight people can lose weight with kelp. Of course, if you ask 20 people their opinion, you will undoubtedly get 20 answers...so do your own research.

So, kelp is a naturally rich with iodine. Its also full of phytochemicals and is basically seaweed. Seaweed is well known for its beneficial effects - one type contains ten times more calcium than a glass of milk and others are rich in protein and essential minerals. Since the key ingredient in kelp is iodine, it is linked to your metabolism, the process by which your body breaks down food into energy. Again, its used by your thyroid to produce T3 and T4 hormones, which, help regulate your metabolism, so if you are low in iodine your metabolism may be sluggish. This means you will put on weight. Taking kelp supplements can boost your iodine intake which may help regulate your metabolism.

Has it been proven? Its found to be beneficial in several studies, but the jury is still out. I will be getting a full physical later this year, so I definitely want to have them check for my T3 and T4 levels to see how they compare to earlier in the year....that will really be the test!

Is there any harm? Considering the average Japanese person gets so much seaweed in their body compared to the average American, its certainly safe levels...even one capsule a day is significantly less than the average Japanese person ingests, but still could make a difference.

Is it pricey? As far as supplements go, this is a CHEAP one! Nature's Way brand is less than $9 for 100 capsules. We certainly ingest a lot of things into our American diet that have adverse effects, and there is only a potential upside with this one....so its $9 well spent, I think.