Natural Energy Supplements: Benefits and Side-effects

Natural energy supplements

Nearly everyone on the planet wants to be healthy and full of energy. If you’re tired from lack of sleep or just not feeling the energy you’d like to feel, maybe you’d like to try something natural that will help bring you back to normal again. But what about the side-effects?

Today’s natural energy supplements fill the shelves almost everywhere, but if you’re concerned about how healthy they are for you and what sort of side effects you might have from taking them, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our list of what you should look out for when you’re choosing the best natural energy supplements for your body:

Guarana

Guarana is a climbing plant native to Brazil and the Amazon basin. The seeds from its fruit contain the stimulant guaranine, which is often mistaken for caffeine, along with large amounts of theophylline, a tannic acid.

Guarana appears to be one of the best natural energy supplements for dieters as it seems to release and then use energy primarily from the body’s fat cells.

How safe is it? People with cardiovascular disease are cautioned to be careful when taking guarana and women who are pregnant or lactating should avoid it entirely. Although most research doesn’t indicate any adverse reactions to taking it, there may be some side effects similar to caffeine including insomnia, excessive nervousness and other health risks to people who are sensitive to caffeine.

Ginseng

Ginseng is one of today’s top natural energy supplements and has been used in China for many thousands of years and is credited with promoting energy, strength and longevity. Some studies have reported that taking ginseng boosts the body’s immune system. Other studies have shown that it also lowers blood sugar levels. There is also early evidence that ginseng can temporarily improve your learning and concentration.

Ginseng has also been found to boost endurance and improve your mood. It’s also found to be a help in combating fatigue, treating cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, and some other conditions.

How safe is it? Ginseng is generally considered safe for just about everybody. Some side effects have been reported, including headaches, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, elevated heart rate and some women have experienced swollen breasts and vaginal bleeding when taking ginseng.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is also one of our top natural energy supplements. It’s produced by the body and is essential for it to function normally. CoQ10 recharges the body’s energy system by enabling the heart muscles to pump blood more efficiently, while at the same time cleaning up destructive free radicals that are by-products of the energy production process.

Some of the health benefits that doctors believe people are able to get from taking coenzyme Q10 include the following:

Enhancing the function of our immune system

Stabilizing blood sugar levels of diabetics

Slowing down the progression of dementia

Treating or preventing migraines

Helping treat high blood pressure

Helping treat heart disease

Reducing high cholesterol levels in the blood

Assisting in the treatment of cancer

Protecting organs from toxic chemotherapy drugs

Helping treat gum disease

How safe is it? CoQ10 is generally considered safe to consume. Some people have reported mild insomnia and research has reported elevated levels of liver enzymes in people taking high doses over long periods of time. Other side effects that have been reported include dizziness, irritability, heartburn, fatigue, sensitivity to light, headaches, nausea, rashes, nausea, and upper abdominal pains.

Creatine

Creatine is an amino acid that’s also one of our natural energy supplements. It’s found in fish and meats and is also made by the human body. It does deliver energy as needed when the body converts it into phosphocreatine when it is then stored in muscles and the brain.

Most research today concludes that creatine is effective in helping people have more energy and resistance to fatigue during activities that require high intensity  and explosive energy levels of energy.

How safe is it? Creatine has been researched by sports enthusiasts world-wide for years and there’s no evidence it’s not safe to consume. There have been anecdotal reports of heart problems, dehydration, diarrhea, kidney damage, and muscle cramps, but there’s been no solid evidence to back up these reports.

Spirulina

Thousands of years ago the Aztec Indians discovered that the blue-green algae known as spirulina contained large amounts of protein and they used it in their diet to add nourishment and energy. Compared to most other sea vegetables, spirulina is easier to digest and its nutrients are more easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Spirulina is also a good source of vitamin B12 in addition to other vitamins and minerals.

The protein in spirulina is equivalent to the protein derived from meat, dairy products and eggs other than it having somewhat reduced amounts of a few amino acids, and is another on our list of today’s best natural energy supplements.

How safe is it? Although most reports say spirulina is safe, there have been some side effects reported. These include a slight fever because of the body’s requirement to burn extra protein; some slight dizziness, thirst, constipation, slight body rash, skin itch and stomach ache.

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola is an herb native to the wetlands of Asia that’s also been used for thousands of years to combat anxiety and fatigue. Many herbalists like gotu kola as an energy enhancement because it lessens depression and fatigue without the stimulant effects of caffeine. Gotu kola is often confused with the kola nut but is different in that it also tends to aid the symptoms of insomnia because it doesn’t have kola nut’s stimulant properties.

How safe is it? Do not take gotu kola if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or are pregnant. Also, taking gotu kola is not recommended if you are taking prescription or nonprescription medicines, dietary supplements or herbal preparations or if you have a history of epilepsy or diabetes.

What’s right for you?

All of these natural energy supplements are reputed to be great for increasing your energy levels, and they can also make your healthier as well. However, they can also have side effects that you don’t expect. Choose your natural energy supplements wisely and hopefully you’ll get the healthy energy boost you’ve been looking for without having to resort to more harsh prescription medications.

Top 10 things you should know before taking caffeine supplements

The world’s most popular drug

Caffeine is the world’s most popular drug. Not only is it the main ingredient in coffee and tea, but it’s found in sodas, energy drinks and even some ice creams and medications. Caffeine gives us a “boost” when we need it and it helps us stay awake when we have to because of work or studies. With so much caffeine in so many things we consume, how much of it can be too much, and would we be safer taking caffeine supplements instead? We’ve asked the experts, and here’s our list of the top ten things you should know before you decide to take caffeine supplements:

#1 – Caffeine is the world’s most popular drug

According to the National Coffee Association, about 83 percent of adult Americans drink coffee every day, and caffeine is the primary ingredient. Caffeine is the primary ingredient in energy drinks, where sales have doubled in just the last three years. Manufacturers put caffeine into almost every product they can because people want it.

#2 – Caffeine supplements are safe

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, caffeine has the regulatory classification of “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS. Manufacturers can add it to their products without any health warnings or restrictions of any kind.

# 3 – Caffeine supplements are not addictive

Researchers have debated whether caffeine is addictive for years. Some physicists say that caffeine is addictive for some people. It does produce dependence, and caffeine withdrawal does occur. However, most agree that while it’s possible for people to become addicted to caffeine, most people are not. And it doesn’t matter where the caffeine comes from, whether it’s from caffeine supplements, coffee, tea or even ice cream, it’s the dosage you take that matters.

#4 – Dosage matters

Caffeine supplements come in a measured dosage, not in an unknown amount like coffee, tea or energy drinks. According to the experts, caffeine overdose can occur if you consume as little as 200 to 300 mg per day, depending on weight, age and your overall health. That means you could be in danger of a caffeine overdose by consuming as little as only one cup of coffee, and two caffeine pills could put you in danger.

Because so many products we consume today contain caffeine, it’s hard to regulate exactly how much we put into our system each day. If we brew a cup of coffee at home or at the office, it will probably contain between 95 and 150 milligrams of caffeine. A cup at Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts can contain anywhere from 80 to over 200 milligrams.

#5 – Caffeine has many health benefits

Caffeine has been shown to decrease fatigue, improve memory and mental functioning. It can improve our short-term memory and speed up our reaction times. Caffeine can possibly lower your risk of liver cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, and it has other benefits that are being discovered almost daily. It’s been shown to help prevent type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and it doesn’t seem to significantly increase the risk of heart disease or cancer.

#6 – Caffeine supplements are recommended for sports

Caffeine has numerous benefits for several different types of athletes. Many athletes and trainers believe caffeine can enhance an athlete’s physical and mental performance.  When long-term stamina is needed, such as cycling, running and soccer, which require a great deal of physical stamina in order to compete successfully, caffeine supplements have been taken to improve an athlete’s endurance levels. Caffeine mobilizes our fat cells and gives us a boost of energy by telling our working muscles to use fat as fuel. That saves our levels of glycogen that then become available in the later stages of exercise so exhaustion and fatigue are prolonged.

Caffeine has also been known to decrease fatigue in athletes, which plays a physical as well as psychological role in the performance of an athlete. However, some studies show that caffeine has very little effect on athletes when they require quick bursts of energy such as sprinters and swimmers.

#7 – Caffeine is a natural ingredient

Caffeine is a naturally occurring ingredient that’s found in dozens of plants, seeds and beans. In the U.S., coffee is the most popular source of caffeine. Other common sources include energy drinks, tea, chocolate, some soft drinks and even ice cream. Caffeine is also found in some numerous medicines and dietary supplements.

#8 – Doctors prescribe caffeine

Many doctors have prescribed caffeine for migraine headaches, asthma, low blood pressure, gallbladder disease and even attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

#9 – Sensitivity matters

According to the experts, the amount of caffeine a person can safely consume must be based on how sensitive they are to the drug. Some people are more sensitive than others and can’t even drink a soda without having a serious reaction. Others can drink coffee and then fall fast asleep. According to the experts, people need to be aware of the sort of adverse effects caffeine can have on them.

#10 – Caffeine can be abused

With all the benefits caffeine can have, there are a few drawbacks. The abuse of caffeine is an emerging problem according to some experts. The drug is showing up in more products and in higher amounts as energy drinks become more popular and word is being spread about the numerous benefits of consuming caffeine. Soda sizes have gotten larger, and many of today’s dietary supplements for losing weight often contain caffeine. Doctors advise that anyone with high blood pressure, the elderly, teens and children should take caution when consuming caffeine as they may be more vulnerable to its adverse effects.

As the world becomes more and more over-caffeinated, the risk of consuming too much caffeine can lead to decreased bone density, high blood sugar and high blood pressure. The solution, it seems, is to be extremely careful when consuming caffeine if there’s any chance of adverse effects. When in doubt, take caffeine supplements. Each box of caffeine supplements is required by law to list the exact amount of caffeine that’s in every tablet.

How Caffeine Supplements can be a great way to help athletes

Caffeine and athletics go hand in hand

Caffeine is known to give us a “boost” when we need it, and it helps us stay awake when we need to because of work or studies. Athletes have discovered the benefits of caffeine and caffeine supplements as well to enhance their performance and give them the edge they need for success.

Many athletes and trainers believe caffeine is just the thing to enhance an athlete’s physical and mental performance.  When long-term stamina is needed, such as cycling, running and soccer, which require a great deal of physical stamina in order to compete successfully, caffeine supplements have been taken to improve an athlete’s endurance levels. Caffeine mobilizes our fat cells and gives us a boost of energy by telling our working muscles to use fat as fuel. That saves our levels of glycogen that then become available in the later stages of exercise so exhaustion and fatigue are prolonged.

Caffeine has also been known to decrease fatigue, which plays a physical as well as psychological role in the performance of an athlete. However, some studies show that caffeine has very little effect on athletes when they require quick bursts of energy such as sprinters and swimmers. But when long-term stamina is required, caffeine seems to hold the key to success.

Caffeine supplements are safe

Many athletes might be concerned about the safety of taking caffeine supplements. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, caffeine and caffeine supplements have the regulatory classification of “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS. Manufacturers can add it to their products without any health warnings or restrictions of any kind.

Caffeine supplements aren’t addictive

Over the years, many researchers have debated whether caffeine is addictive. Athletes might wonder the same thing. Some physicists say that caffeine actually is addictive for some people. It does produce dependence, and caffeine withdrawal will occur when people stop taking it. However, most experts agree that while it’s possible for some people to become addicted to caffeine, most people are not. And it doesn’t matter where the caffeine comes from, whether it’s from supplements, coffee, tea or even ice cream, it’s the dosage you take that matters.

How much caffeine you consume matters

Athletes prefer to take caffeine supplements because they come in measured dosages, not in unknown amounts like coffee, tea or energy drinks. According to the experts, caffeine overdose can occur if you consume as little as 200 to 300 mg per day, depending on weight, age and your overall health. That means you could be in danger of a caffeine overdose by consuming as little as only one cup of coffee, and two caffeine pills could put you in danger.

Because so many products we consume today contain caffeine, it’s hard to tell exactly how much we put into our system each day. If we brew a cup of coffee at home or at the office, it will probably contain between 95 and 150 milligrams of caffeine. A cup at Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts can contain anywhere from 80 to over 200 milligrams.

There’s valid reason for taking caffeine supplements instead of drinking coffee or an energy drink. Caffeine supplements tell you on the bottle exactly how much caffeine each tablet contains, usually 200mg per tablet. A cup of coffee, tea or energy drink tells you nothing about the amount of caffeine it contains. So if you want to be sure that you know exactly how much caffeine you are consuming each day, take 200mg caffeine supplement tablets instead.

Caffeine has many health benefits

Athletes also like caffeine because it has been shown to decrease fatigue, improve memory and mental functioning. It can improve our short-term memory and speed up our reaction times. Caffeine is also reported to possibly lower your risk of liver cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, and it has other benefits that are being discovered almost daily. It’s been shown to help prevent type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, and it doesn’t seem to significantly increase the risk of heart disease or cancer.

Caffeine is natural

Caffeine is a naturally occurring ingredient that’s found in dozens of plants, seeds and beans. In the U.S., coffee is the most popular source of caffeine. Other common sources include energy tablets and drinks, tea, chocolate, some soft drinks and even ice cream. Caffeine is also found in some numerous medicines and dietary supplements.

Doctors prescribe caffeine for their patients

Many doctors have prescribed caffeine for migraine headaches, asthma, low blood pressure, gallbladder disease and even attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Sensitivity matters

According to the experts, the amount of caffeine a person can safely consume must be based on how sensitive they are to the drug. Some people are more sensitive than others and can’t even drink a soda without having a serious reaction. Others can drink coffee and then fall fast asleep. It’s important that people are aware of the sort of adverse effects caffeine can have on them and be careful how much they consume.

Caffeine can be abused

With all the benefits caffeine and caffeine supplements can have, there are drawbacks. The abuse of caffeine is an emerging problem according to some experts. The drug is showing up in more products and in higher amounts as energy drinks become more popular and word is being spread about the numerous benefits of consuming caffeine. Soda sizes have gotten larger, and many of today’s dietary supplements for losing weight often contain caffeine. Doctors advise that anyone with high blood pressure, the elderly, teens and children should take caution when consuming caffeine as they may be more vulnerable to its adverse effects.

As the world becomes more and more over-caffeinated, the risk of consuming too much caffeine can lead to decreased bone density, high blood sugar and high blood pressure. The solution, it seems, is to be extremely careful when consuming caffeine if there’s any chance of adverse effects. Athletes especially need to be aware of how much caffeine they consume, and when in doubt, take caffeine supplements. By law, caffeine supplements are required to list the exact amount of caffeine that’s contained in every tablet.

How to Deal with Caffeine Withdrawal

Eliminating caffeine from your life

If you’ve been thinking about eliminating caffeine from your life, you’re not alone. A lot of people have found themselves addicted to caffeine, and they’re worried about the effects the drug is having on them. Caffeine does produce dependence, and caffeine withdrawal does occur when you stop ingesting it.

When we find ourselves depending on a substance in order to function normally during the day or just to stay awake, it can become a vicious cycle. Trying to stop depending on caffeine causes withdrawal symptoms, which can be serious and, for some, very debilitating.

Reasons to stop

If you’ve been a heavy coffee drinker or energy drink consumer, then you’ve probably already noticed the addictive effects of the caffeine you’ve been drinking. Caffeine seems to be almost everywhere. It has become the world’s most widely used drug, found in coffee, tea, many foods and sodas, and it’s even listed as a primary ingredient in some medicines. As a matter of fact, in the latest edition of the authoritative mental health manual, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), caffeine intoxication is now listed among the many psychiatric mental health disorders.

Another reason to quit comes from researchers in Ireland who’ve come to the conclusion that a lot of the apparent benefits we have of consuming caffeine actually come from the relief from the symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. The results from their tests showed that test participants who did not regularly consume caffeine showed no additional alertness or any other benefit from the test dosages. So, if caffeine’s benefits are mostly due to relief from the symptoms of withdrawal, breaking our addiction to caffeine might seem to be a wise move.

So obviously there are good reasons to stop putting caffeine into your system. However, doing so is not so easy. For some, quitting caffeine can be difficult and painful. In addition, the more caffeine a person is used to consuming, the greater the intensity and duration the withdrawal can be.

Some of the most common caffeine withdrawal treatment remedies are listed below, along with the caffeine withdrawal treatment recommended by the experts. Be aware that even if you only consume caffeine occasionally, it’s still possible you may experience a few of these symptoms:

Headaches

Caffeine headaches usually seem to start right behind the eyes and then the pain seems to move up and forward to the front of the head. The most effective caffeine withdrawal treatment to combat this is to take pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen to help ease the pain.

Muscle pain or stiffness

If your muscles feel like they have weights strapped to them, it’s probably because you normally were drinking coffee prior to exercising. Without that caffeine in your system, your muscles don’t have the same nerve inputs as before. As with headaches, the most effective caffeine withdrawal treatment is to take aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen to help ease the stiffness.

Lethargy / Sleepiness

Sometimes weaning yourself off caffeine can result in you feeling as if you’re going through the day feeling like you haven’t slept at all the previous night. The usual cause is that you’ve tried to cut back on caffeine too quickly and haven’t left your body time to adjust properly. The best caffeine withdrawal treatment in this case is to try exercising for a few minutes to get your body energized, and be sure to drink plenty of liquids throughout the day to keep your body properly hydrated.

Depression

If you’ve been trying to cut back on your caffeine intake and have found yourself feeling depressed for no apparent reason, the two may be related. It could be you’re trying to cut back too quickly. Slow the process down and stretch it out a few extra days to see if that helps. However, if depression becomes a big issue, seek a doctor’s advice.

Irritability

If you’ve been thinking that almost everything and everyone has been getting on your nerves, it could be a side effect of caffeine withdrawal. As with depression, an excellent caffeine withdrawal treatment is to slow down how quickly you’re trying to quit and stretch it out a few extra days so your body can adjust to the change more slowly.

Lack of Concentration

During caffeine withdrawal, the lack of caffeine can affect your ability to focus properly on matters, make decisions or to concentrate. A person suffering from caffeine withdrawal also tends to get distracted very easily. An effective caffeine withdrawal treatment is to drink plenty of water, exercise and eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits for nourishment.

Constipation

Caffeine is a natural stimulant to the bowels, so when you cut back on it you’re not providing the same amount as before and your colon starts reacting negatively. Drinking plenty of liquids and taking it easy is an effective caffeine withdrawal treatment that will help everything to eventually work out just fine.

Insomnia

A few people find that they cannot get to sleep when they try stopping their caffeine habit. Watching your diet, exercising and drinking plenty of water will help, but the most important remedy is to cut your caffeine intake as gradually as possible.

Flu-like symptoms

Caffeine withdrawal can produce flu-like symptoms like blocked sinuses, a stuffy nose, and even vomiting. As with the above, an effective caffeine withdrawal treatment is to drink plenty of water, exercise and eat healthier foods during this period when your body is adjusting.

When we consume caffeine daily, our body gradually builds up a tolerance to the drug. After that, we require more of it to get the same results as we did in the beginning. The same dose of caffeine after that makes you simply feel normal instead of giving you the “boost” it once did. When you reset your body’s tolerance level after going through caffeine withdrawal, your body will begin to work normally all over again.

Remember that caffeine withdrawal treatment can be difficult and will take some time. The results will definitely be worth it in the long run when you’re finally free from the influence of caffeine.

Top 20 things to know about Caffeine Sensitivity

The world is over-caffeinated

Coffee is the world’s most popular beverage, and the main ingredient in coffee is the drug, caffeine. It’s also the main ingredient in most of the energy drinks we see on grocery shelves. As a matter of fact, most sodas, cocoa, chocolate, power bars, even some pain medications contain caffeine.

Are Caffeine Pills Bad For Your Health?

Caffeine Is The World’s Most Widely Used Drug

Caffeine has become the world’s most widely used drug. Some reports say that as many as 90% of North American adults consume at least some form of caffeine every day. It’s the primary ingredient in energy drinks, where sales have doubled in just the last three years. Manufacturers add caffeine wherever they can into their products because people are looking for it. The reasons are obvious.

Are Caffeine Pills Good For Your Health?

Caffeine Has Become Trendy

According to the National Coffee Association, about 83 percent of adult Americans drink coffee every day, and caffeine is the primary ingredient. Caffeine is the primary ingredient in energy drinks, where sales have doubled in just the last three years. Manufacturers put caffeine into almost every product they can because people want it and it’s regulated as a food-additive and not a drug. Even normal foods like chocolate, sodas and ice cream can contain caffeine. So do some medicines and dietary supplements.

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Why Sprayable Energy is Your Best Instant Energy Alternative to Coffee or Tea

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