PENN, TELLER & WELLNESS

It’s cold and flu season, and don’t you wish your symptoms would just magically disappear? To remind everyone that Mucinex 12-Hour helps vanquish your symptoms, Penn & Teller teamed up with Mucinex to make Mr. Mucus - the epitome of cough and congestion – disappear. We also wanted to know more about them, their Vegas residency, and more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with being entertainers, magicians, and comedians?

PENN & TELLER: We both started working before we met each other, and Teller was doing magic when he was five. I started juggling and doing shows when I was 12.

AM: What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to work together?

P & T: We met through a mutual friend during a show, and Teller was still a high school teacher outside of Trenton. I don't know if we ever really decided to work together, I think it's still on a trial basis.

AM: You have your Vegas residency at Rio at the Penn & Teller Theater! What does it mean to you to be able to perform on stage and what are some of your favorite memories?

P & T: All we ever wanted to do are tricks for people, and I also have all the love in the world for Vegas, but we don't care that we’re in Vegas. I mean, it's our home now and we do a lot with the community. But we want to be wherever the Penn and Teller theater is. We will be there. We just love doing the show every night. I mean, it's what we do.

AM: What are 3 of your favorite tricks?

P & T: That's really difficult! I'd have to say the three newest. The next thing we're working on is what I think we're always most excited about. I think everybody's kind of like that.

AM: You are so busy from your residency, to your show Fool Us on the CW, and all of your appearances, how do you approach your health and wellness while you are on tour?

P & T: We try the best we can to eat well, I'm a vegan so that helps a little bit. We also try to get rest and do that kind of stuff. I'm pretty conscientious about not doing anything else when I'm on the road. When you're on the road, you're not traveling. You're doing shows and that's a different thing.

AM: Why did you partner with Mucinex and how have you made Mr. Mucus disappear?

P & T: It is actually a product that I use, which is very important. I didn't choose Mucinex, my doctor did! Mucinex also offered us to do a live show in Grand Central Station, which is really fun. Its cold and flu season and we all just want those pesky cough and cold symptoms to disappear, so we jumped at the chance to make Mr. Mucus - the epitome of mucus, cough, and congestion go poof! As to how we made him disappear - well it was either smoke or mirrors, one of the two.

AM: Tell us about your Grand Central Terminal Vanderbilt Hall event that took place on Feb 7th?

P & T: It was nice! It was back to our old street performing days. I like people just wandering in as they're walking by. It's kind of a nice thing.

AM: We have used Mucinex for well over a decade. Why is Mucinex 12-Hour your go-to for cough and chest congestion?

P & T: It’s what my doctor recommended! Mucinex 12 hour DM is always our go-to for cough and chest congestion, the last thing you need when you’re trying to present on stage. I love that it takes one pill to get a full 12 hours of relief, unlike other medications that last only 4, so I’m set all day as I go from rehearsals to shows.

AM: Tell us about Fool Us as it has been going on for 10 seasons! What is the format of this show and what is it like to work with various celebs that have appeared in the episodes with you?

P & T: Well for those who don't know, it's a show where the best magicians in the world come on. We don't know who it’s going to be. So they do a trick for us and they do it once, and if we can’t figure out their trick, then they win. And it's really that simple and also that impossible. It's a wonderful feeling. You get into magic not because you want to fool people, but because you want to be fooled. And we luckily have a whole organization in place just to find people who can give us that feeling of wonder.

 Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

GET VACCINATED, ACT UNVACCINATED WITH DORRY SEGEV, MD. PHD

The Covid-19 pandemic has deeply altered all of our lives and we feel truly blessed to have the opportunities to have high quality vaccines available in the US. We came across some truly excellent work in this area by world-renowned organ transplant surgeon, Dorry Segev, MD, PhD, particularly around the efficacy of the vaccines for organ transplant and immunocompromised patients, and reached out to find out more about his studies and findings and definitely have important information to convey to our reader community. Please take note and pass along this information to your family and friends if applicable.

Dr Segev is the Marjory K. and Thomas Pozefsjy Professor of Surgery and Epidemiology and Associate Vice Chair of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University. He is the founder and director of the Epidemiology Research Group in Organ Transplantation (ERGOT), the largest and most prolific group of its kind in the world.

People who are immunocompromised or immunosupressed should get vaccinated when possible and also continue to strictly follow Covid-19 safety measures after vaccination, including proper mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing as the efficacy after their vaccine series may be less than people with healthy immune systems due to their condition or medicines they take. Studies are also underway focusing on these patients, especially those taking certain types of immunosupressants, who may be considering a third dose when seeing no/low antibody response after their vaccine series while working with their doctors and careful medical consideration.

We spoke with Dr. Dorry Segev about his recent groundbreaking study on Antibody Response to 2-Dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Series in Solid Organ Transplant Patients, that evaluated the state of transplant and immunocompromised patients and Covid-19 vaccination in the US today; some upcoming studies he is currently working on; and some of the core fitness and wellness activities and life lessons that he focuses on in his active lifestyle.

See Dr. Segev’s groundbreaking study on Covid 19 mRNA vaccine response.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What led you to study the response efficacy of Covid-19 mRNA vaccines in transplant and immunocompromised patients?

DR. DORRY SEGEV: As a transplant surgeon, I take care of people who are on immunosuppression and who are vulnerable. We know that transplant patients were at higher risk of getting Covid-19 and higher risk of dying from Covid during the pandemic, so as soon as there was talk of the vaccine coming out I knew 2 things, 1) that transplant patients might be fearful of taking the vaccine because transplant patients and anybody with on immunosuppression were excluded from the original trials – so they did not have evidence the vaccine was safe specifically for them (eg. an organ rejection or a flare of auto immune disease) - so very early on we wanted to make sure it was safe for immunosuppressed people and we did that very early on; and 2) we also wanted to understand how much immune response immunosuppressed people were having, because to have an immune response from the vaccine you have to have a functioning immune system and we purposefully inhibit the immune system of people with transplants and autoimmune diseases and things like that by putting them on medications that specifically blunt the immune system so that they don’t get rejections and flares and manifestations of their conditions. So it’s a balance between not wanting them to have a rejection but probably we are limiting the ability of their immune system to mount a response with the vaccine. Since this was a new vaccine technology and particularly dealing with a virus out there more fatal disease than say the flu - we did the study very early on. With the initial roll-out prioritizing medical staff and frontline transplant broadly on social media so we could very quickly say things about safety and immune response.

AM: What was your reaction to the results?

DR. DS: I knew that the immune response would be less - I had no idea it would be this much less. Basically, after 2 doses of the vaccine, the overwhelming majority of transplant patients do not have evidence of the same level of protection that people with normal immune systems have. More specifically, half of them have no antibodies detectable after 2 doses which is in stark contrast to every single person with a normal immune system who would have high levels of antibodies, and even the half who have antibodies have lower levels than those in the general population with intact immune systems. So this is highly problematic for transplant patients. They probably have some level of protection if they get the vaccine, maybe they get less severe disease, but assuming they have the same level of protection as people with normal immune systems is a very dangerous assumption.

AM: So this is largely about the medications transplant patients and immunocompromised patients take?

DR. DS: That’s why I found myself as a transplant doctor also studying people with autoimmune diseases because it is specifically related to the medications that we have people take. So anybody who takes immunosuppression, medication that specifically impacts for example the B-cell or T-cell immune systems, is at risk of having a lower response to the vaccine. For example, the typical triad cocktail of immunosuppression for transplant patients is steroids, antimetabolites, and calcineurin inhibitors, and all of those attack certain aspects of the immune system which are necessary for the best immune responses to a vaccine.

AM: Now – it's definitely still recommended for transplant and immunocompromised patients to get the vaccine when it’s feasible for them?

DR. DS: No question, other than very rare cases where someone is not a candidate for the vaccine, the overwhelming recommendation from all the transplant societies and societies that deal with rheumatic and autoimmune disease is for sure to get vaccinated. Because whatever is happening, it is an immunologic journey to go from no protection to, ultimately, adequate or some protection from Covid-19. You need to prime the immune system, get the B-cells and T-cells activated, etc. You need to start that journey as soon as you can and things will start to move around. If you will ultimately need a 3rd dose, for example, you still need to get the first 2 doses anyway. For sure get vaccinated, as soon as possible, with the full series as recommended in the US. And an area of ongoing investigation is what to do next for people who don’t have a response to the vaccine series.

AM: Can people take antibody tests to see if vaccines are working?

DR. DS: There are established quantitative antibody tests, but there are dozens and some are more reliable than others. In our studies we’ve included what tests we’ve used with thousands of patients and there is some reliability there, like the other big JAMA studies, but some others haven’t been evaluated as carefully. If you’re working with doctors and considering a 3rd dose, then an antibody test is a reasonable place to start to see if a patient has antibodies, in weighing risks and benefits of that, in knowing where you are starting antibody-wise - so it can help you make the decision if it may be a right move for you. Another instance where antibody tests may be really important is - say you’re a transplant patient being required to go back to work in a mixed-vaccinated, mixed-mask wearing setting, and it is a high likelihood you don’t have high antibodies, then a test result could show being your employer that you are far safer to work remotely, and that may be some useful quantifiable evidence for that.

AM: We were just going to ask about third doses, so this is an option to consider for some specific people when working with their doctors?

DR. DS: A number of transplant patients with sub-optimal responses to the initial vaccine series have gotten third doses in consultation with their doctors, and careful medical consideration. We’re actually running an observational study, where anybody who has done or is doing that is welcome to check out and join our study and we check their B-cell and T-cell, and entire immune system, before and after that third dose. We did another published on June 14, a 30 patient study to look at the safety and immunogenicity of a third dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in solid organ transplant recipients. Here is a link to this study. From our study we saw if you had a very low antibody response and had a 3rd dose, you got boosted to a high antibody response, and if you had no antibody response, even then about 1/3 got boosted to having an antibody response and the other 2/3 didn’t, but we’re still studying their T-cell immunity and deeper immune system. In France, a patient group sent our first JAMA paper to, the French government, who then said anyone taking immunosuppression medication should get 3 doses already. So we’ll probably see a lot of data coming out of France to see if there is a better immune response with 3 doses than 2 doses for these patients.

We have an ongoing observational study, and after careful medical consideration with their doctors, we are welcoming patients to visit/join Transplantvaccine.org.

We are also working with the NIH with to launching an interventional trial where we’ll be able to give people a third vaccine dose under standardized and formal circumstances, while carefully monitoring their transplanted organ. The plan is to start as a pilot study at John Hopkins in Baltimore and to expand to multi-center national trial. For that pilot study, we are awaiting the necessary approvals for that. We hope to get these approvals and then we may be enrolling people this summer if it goes forward.

AM: So due to the medication use, it is recommended that patients taking immunosuppression medication be aware and more cautious after being vaccinated?

DR. DS: Anybody in the US who is taking immunosuppression of any sort that purposely blocks their immune system should be talking to their doctors about efficacy and risk protection, rather than read trying to make sense of the massive published literature on their own, or getting information from other sources. Right now all that is being measured are antibodies, not B-cell or T-cell immunity, so maybe in a couple months we can look on per-drug levels under the surface for other assurances. You should be talking to your doctors and be careful, some medications that people take with autoimmune diseases may have a negative impact to the immune response like transplant patients include antimetabolites – like Mycophenolate or, Azathioprine – like Rituximab - like, Brentuximab, and Tacrolimus, which is a calcineurin inhibitor also taken by transplant patients, and are showing similar issues. There are many medications for autoimmune patients, but this is all still being looked at.

AM: So what can everybody do in the meantime to help people that are transplant patients and those that are immunosuppressed?

DR. DS: The best way we can deal with this pandemic is for everyone to get vaccinated so people with normal immune systems can develop the kind of protection that can reduce the prevalence of this horrible virus in our communities and can help protect the people who have more compromised immune systems who can’t mount that level of immune protection for themselves.

We’d like to thank Dr. Segev, and his colleagues, for the amazing work done shedding light on these issues for transplant and immunocompromised patients. It was interesting to see that all of the studies published so far have been entirely funded through philanthropy.

If people are interested in helping with philanthropic efforts for Dr. Segev’s other studies and trials, they should can contact the doctor directly at Dorry@jhmi.edu.

This work was supported by the Ben-Dov family; grants F32DK124941 (Dr Boyarsky), K01DK101677 (Dr Massie), and K23DK115908 (Dr Garonzik-Wang) from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); grant K24AI144954 (Dr Segev) from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); and by grant gSAN-201C0WW from the Transplantation and Immunology Research Network of the American Society of Transplantation (Dr Werbel).

AM: What kinds of things do you do for leading an active lifestyle in terms of fitness and wellness?

DR. DS: I try to cycle every other day, do water skiing when I can, and rock climb outside or inside at Earth Treks in-between. My wife, Sommer Gentry, a MIT-trained PhD mathematician, and I have been in the competitive partner dance community since 1999, and were competing in Lindy Hop swing dancing at national level, and for 3 years and were in top 5 nationally. I was a musician for most of my life and loved discovering that you can move physically to music, and that swing dancing is improvizational like jazz is improvizational, so improv with a partner in dance as a physical expression in a partnered way was similar to jazz on stage with other musicians, but was more physical.

AM: What kinds of nutrition goals do you have in your diet?

DR. DS: I try my best to eat healthy, lots of green stuff, and avoid carbs and sugary foods. The only dessert I’m willing to eat is 80% or higher Cacoa chocolate, but really try to cut out foods that are chemical reactions versus those you find in nature, and also try not to eat emotionally but only only when hungry. I’m willing to eat 80% or higher Cacoa chocolate, especially by training myself this is my reward, being super healthy, but can have this incredibly delicious chocolate while having some tea, although I’ll admit that this high-level of Cacao is an acquired taste. It’s a great experience while staying fit. Another advantage for this as a sweet is that most people don’t ask for a bite!

AM: What general life aphorisms do you follow?

DR. DS: I follow 2 which are great to share.. My favorite quote from Stephen Sondheim is – ‘wishes come true, not free.’ You can fulfil your wishes, but you have to work hard to do so - I love how he says this so elegantly and efficiently. Another is a life motto of mine is to try something you’re not good at every day, with the goal of reminding of yourself embracing humility, being only human and trying to improve. Sure, others can do many things better than I do, so it’s how to start getting better. When I started dancing I was a terrible dancer, but by being humble and working hard I was able to reach a nationally competitive level. It takes hard work to make changes!

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 134 - 135 Unsplash/Nick Fewings | PG 138 - 139 Unsplash/CDC | PG 140 Unsplash/Elizabeth McDaniel |

PHOTOS COURTESY | PG 137, 143 - 149 Dr. Dorry Segev |

Read the JUN ISSUE #66 of Athleisure Mag and see Get Vaccinated, Act Unvaccinated with Dorry Segev, MD. PhD in mag.

VACCINATE NEW YORK

As we continue to navigate getting our vaccines, make sure to keep an eye out on the updates so you know when you’re eligible here in NY or wherever you’re located.

6 STEPS - THE DAY YOU VOTE

Although a number of people have voted by mail or dropped off their ballots at designated areas, there are a number of people who are standing in long lines to make sure that their vote counts at polling stations. The CDC has been our go to place when it comes to how we can go about a number of our activities that are recommended to be the safest way to do them. Here is what you need to know

The more prepared you are, the more you reduce your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.

1. People who are sick can follow CDC advice for when to be around others.

2. Bring your own supplies

• Use this checklist to remember things to bring with you when you go to vote:

  • Necessary documentation such as your identification (check with your voting site)

  • A mask

  • An extra mask

  • Tissues

  • Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol

  • Water

  • Black ink pen

  • Bring prepared items with you (e.g., registration forms, sample ballots)

3. Wear a mask

You should wear a mask consistently and correctly in public and around people who don’t live with you.

• If you must take your mask off, use hand sanitizer before and after

• Have an extra mask in case yours gets wet or dirty

A few people might not be able to wear a mask because of a disability or condition.

4. Protect yourself when using transport

• Open windows if you can

• Wear a mask

• Avoid touching things if you can and use hand sanitizer if you do

• Stay 6 feet (about two arm lengths) apart from others if you can

5. Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol before entering and after leaving your place of voting

• Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol before and after touching items that many others may have touched, such as door handles

• Do not wipe down voting equipment unless you are told to do so

6. Keep your distance from others

• Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ lengths) from other people as much as you can

• Stay apart even if you are wearing masks

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

STAY ON TRACK WITH JILLIAN MICHAELS

We took some time to chat with fitness icon, Jillian Michaels who is always working on a number of projects, keeping people motivated to live their best lives with no excuses on getting their goals while also ensuring that we are mentally and nutritionally on the right track as well. She talks about her career and navigating a number of elements with it, suggests routines that we can do to include within our workout as well as how we can take what we do to the next level!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What was the moment that you realized that you wanted to work in the fitness industry?

JILLIAN MICHAELS: To be honest, I fell into it very organically. When I was 17 I was training for my black belt. And people would see me working out and assume I was a trainer. So they began asking me to train them. At that time I was making about $8 bucks an hour delivering pizza, so I thought I wonder what this training gig would pay? And I began charging $15 an hour to train people and thinking I was killing the game. Fortunately, my mom had some common sense to suggest I might need some actual credentials to work people out and she helped me pay for my first training certification. And the rest is really history.

AM: Where does this passion come from to empower others to be their best self?

JM: As a person who struggled with weight as a kid, I was very fortunate to fall into karate at 12 years old. My transformation did NOT happen overnight. It was gradual and the first thing to change was my mind. I began to notice that accomplishments I had in karate were translating to a greater sense of self worth and confidence. I noticed that as I began to feel stronger physically I began to feel stronger and more resilient in all facets of my life. Then, when I began feeling like I was playing a part in someone else’s journey towards empowerment and transformation it brought a tremendous amount of meaning into my life.

AM: You have been a trailblazer in the industry as someone who has used your platform to integrate your presence from hosting TV shows, creating your fitness app, being on covers as well as launching lines – how important was it to diversify your presence and to utilize all of these areas?

JM: As a business woman it’s critical you are omnipresent in all forms of media and synonymous with fitness in general. Even if there isn’t a fitness modality I consider myself to be the best at I work with someone who is the best to create a premium program for the consumer. Whether it’s yoga, corrective exercise, running, meditation, prenatal workouts – I will find one of the top experts in the space and have them co-create programs with me to ensure they are as good as they can be and as effective as possible.

Therefore, making sure you are a consummate pro who is always learning from the best of the best is critical to becoming a go to resource in your field. By being that go to resource you ensure you are the premium go to brand. So if Samsung is looking for a brand to auto install on all their tv’s they come to me, because I have built credibility in the space that has spanned well over a decade now.

AM: What are 3 pieces of equipment that you think are essential to have at home and if you have to make a substitution due to being unable to purchase them, what would the substitution be?

JM: Your body weight is really the ONLY tool you need. If I get three other things in this article though – I’ll take em! A mat is important. You can use it for yoga of course, but it’s nice for floor work if you don’t have a soft carpet to do floor work on. An adjustable set of dumbbells. I love powerblocks, but they are expensive. Again, bodyweight is all you need, but having dumbbells just makes things a bit easier for back exercises as rows are a lot easier for people than pullups or even assisted pull ups. Plus, while you can focus on time under tension with your leg workouts and do 100 reps of an air squat it is a bit more consuming. So if you are a more advanced athlete and you want to get a killer leg day in having the added free weight can help you save time. There really isn’t anything else that is needed, so at that point if there is something you love I would say grab it. For me I love my jump rope – even though I can simulate jumping without one. Some people love an indoor piece of cardio equipment for days they just want a brainless calorie burn – again this isn’t necessary at all to get cardio in, but it’s nice if you want to simply row, walk, bike without having to think about your training.

AM: How do you encourage those that know that they need to get back into their fitness routine or are feeling overwhelmed with doing so due to the current times of uncertainty?

JM: Ideally, we all have our reasons “why” we want to get in shape that serve as motivation. Be it getting ready for a wedding, running a 5k to raise money for breast cancer research, being a role model to your kids, wearing a certain brand of skinny jean you are obsessed with – it doesn’t matter how superficial or how profound your reasons as long as they matter to you. Beyond those things - I really can’t think of a more important time to get in shape. I see people spending so much time and energy being afraid of Covid and I understand that completely, but take that energy and channel it into the things you can control like your health and wellness. I keep telling people, we began dealing with this in March. It’s September now. Had we started in March imagine how much healthier you’d be now over 6 months later. It’s never too late. Make your health your priority! And I don’t mean to belabor the point – but I got covid and I was sick for 4 days. That’s it. While I know it affects healthy people, we also know that healthy people fare far better with it. So don’t wait. Do it for you. Do it for your family. Start NOW.

AM: As we’re navigating these times, many of our readers want to know about how they can stay in shape. Do you have 3 movements for abs, 3 movements for legs and 3 movements for arms that we can do to incorporate into our workouts?

JM: There are literally so many different ways we can workout at home – I have literally over 1000 body weight exercises alone in my app. For example here are just a few:

Lunges – forward lunges, stationary lunges, backward lunges, side lunges, weighted lunges, jumping lunges, pendulumn lunges

Squats – air squats, weighted squats, chair squats, jump squats

Core – plank, side plank, reverse plank, superman, table, crunches, reverse crunches, bicycle crunches, toe tap crunches

Cardio – Jumping jacks, jump rope (without or without a rope), mountain climbers, marching in place, side to side hops, burpees

AM: What are 3 foods that you suggest eating before and/or after a workout?

JM: This really isn’t a thing. These are the general guidelines around food and fitness:

Don’t eat a normal size meal within 60 minutes of exercise. Not only can it cause cramps while you exercise, but blood circulates to the stomach and intestines after we eat in order transport the nutrients of our meal to relevant systems in our body. This causes a heart rate increase and blood vessel constriction in order to maintain your blood pressure. Why does this matter? Because when you are working out we want the blood circulating to our muscles so we can best deliver oxygen to them while we train. And adding insult to injury an elevated heart rate and constricted blood vessels only makes it that much harder. So wait at least 60 minutes after a meal before training. A SMALL snack is ok, but not a meal.

Ideally, eat something 1-2 hours before you train. Get a little of each macronutrient in their cleanest form if you can (clean protein, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, and complex carbs) - an apple with almond butter for example. The carbs give energy. The fat and the protein help to sustain that energy and keep you from getting a blood sugar spike that might come from eating carbs alone. Plus the protein might help encourage protein synthesis (potential improved muscle recovery).

As for a post workout meal – this is also not necessary. You don’t NEED to eat after you train. Eat every 3-4 hours for 4 meals a day – breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner. Then try to create a 12 hour overnight fast for your overall health and immunity. When you do eat, again try to get some protein, fat, and carbs in for optimal energy and protein synthesis. If you want to get a little crazy you can supplement before and after as well. I take an organic pre-workout with green tea, beets, and coffee bean before I train for the caffeine and the nitric oxide as they give more energy and help to get oxygen to the muscles. After my workout I take whey protein with branched chain aminos. Personally I like the Alaya brand, but you do NOT have to do this. Eating regularly is totally fine.

AM: Can you tell us about the Oxidizer quiz? What is it’s purpose and why does it focus on the ratio between Proteins, Carbs and Fats?

JM: Ok, this is a bit of a long answer, but I will do my best to keep it quick. The two universal rules that apply to everyone when it comes to weight loss are calories in vs calories out. And, the quality of the food matters for overall health and wellbeing. HOWEVER, insulin (among other hormones) does play a part in not just our overall health, but also our BMR (basal metabolic rate). So we want to consume foods that don’t spike insulin and eat a balance of macro nutrients (protein, fat, and carbs) that give us sustained energy. Scientists have noticed that not everyone has the same insulin response to the same foods. We believe that this has to do with each individuals unique microbiome (gut mircrobes).

Why this matters is simply to help people identify which ratio of carbs, protein, and fat they might consume to give them lasting energy, keep their blood sugar and subsequently their insulin from spiking. So the oxidizer / metabolic type quiz teaches people how to identify their ideal ratio of macro nutrients. Again this isn’t necessary, but if someone wanted to really drill down on their health – maximize energy levels, metabolism, hormone balance etc. this is the way to do that. It’s essentially a series of questions that look at how certain foods make you feel and certain physical attributes that might indicate the rate in which you turn your food into energy.

AM: With people being a bit more anxious during these times, are there foods that we can eat that will help reduce this?

JM: The first thing we want are foods rich in magnesium. Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer and can help you feel more relaxed. Look to incorporate avocado, nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains, leafy greens, and bananas into your diet on a regular basis.

Fermented foods and fiber rich foods to help support microbiome (all those tiny little microbes that live in our gut). A healthy strong microbiome is directly connected to overall health from immunity to metabolism and brain chemistry is just another one on the top of the list. So choose fermented foods like yogurt, tempeh, miso, kimchi, kefir, cottage cheese to keep the good bugs flowing. And be sure to feed those little critters with plenty of fiber – so lots of fruits and vegetables!

Zinc also seems to be a big one. Studies show that people with diets low in zinc are prone to depression – plus zinc is great for boosting your immune system. Foods rich in zinc are beef, lamb, oysters, shrimp, scallops, mushrooms. Foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. So, ideally we would get some fish into the mix here… Wild salmon, pecans, flax seeds, walnuts, sardines are all good sources!

AM: Bloating is also an issue that many look to fight. What foods can we eat that will assist with this and are there specific workouts we can do to remove this?

JM: It really depends on what type of bloating. There is bloating from water retention – in which case you drink more water (the more you drink the less you hold) and consume less sodium. No more than 2000 – 2300 mg a day unless you are an advanced athlete that sweats a lot.

If it’s a tummy thing – obviously I would be super irresponsible if I didn’t recommend that you see a gastroenterologist. I can recommend you check for any food allergies or sensitivities. And try foods rich in digestive enzymes and probiotics (fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, kimchi, tempeh, miso and tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, pomegranate are loaded with fiber and digestive enzymes to help promote good gut health).

AM: Can you talk about the relationship between Intermittent Fasting and the Microboime and the benefits to this?

JM: To be honest, the connection isn’t incredibly clear, but we do believe there is one. Some think it’s associated with potential better sleep. The fact that when we don’t eat before bed we sleep better, which improves microbiome. What I can say for certain, is that intermittent fasting has been shown to help fight aging and boost immunity. This is because we know that it optimizes something called autophagy – which is a process in which our bodies cull dead and senescent tissue (VERY IMPORTANT). And, it helps to resensitize people to insulin, which we know is related to many dangerous health conditions like type 2 diabetes for example.

AM: Tell us about the Jillian Michaels Fitness App. What can subscribers look forward to on there in terms of modalities as well as are there any challenges specific to this month or time of year?

JM: Well, we are now calling it The Fitness App by Jillian Michaels because we are just now starting to add new trainers to the mix. Which is really exciting. So the purpose of the app is to customize someone’s fitness and nutrition in order to give them all the tools to achieve their personal goals. So no matter what your current fitness level, no matter what equipment you do or don’t have, whatever type of workout you like from yoga to lifting, walking to kick boxing, your program is created just for you. You can literally show up and use any of my dvd workouts which are all in the app, or you can have me create a workout on the spot for you. You can use it on any device from streaming to the TV, you tablet, phone, watch etc. And, there are hundreds of recipes of all kinds – created by chefs and registered dieticians. So whether you are vegan or paleo, gluten free or omnivore your meal plan is totally customized. I can even change the recipe in the app based on how many servings you want to make of that particular dish. The calories change based on your unique fitness goal and body type. So basically – your fitness and nutrition are completely personalized to make it work for you.

AM: You also have your podcast, The Jillian Michaels Show, what do you talk about on hear and who are some guests and topics that you’re really excited about (whether they are coming up or are in previous episodes)?

JM: We have a series coming up with Dr. William Li who specializes in eating to beat disease and will be speaking on different ways to eat to fight cancer, boost stem cell production, combat covid and more.

AM: How do you stay engaged with your community?

JM: I engage on multiple platforms – so we have the forums on my app where I can take questions from users. I have a private facebook group that provides a safe place for people to connect as well and I often go in there and check in. I also and pretty engaged on Instagram in the comment section.

AM: How have you been spending your time during this quarantine?

JM: I have kept my focus pretty streamlined. My priorities personally are my health and the health of my family. And while kids generally don’t struggle with covid, I worry about my kids mental health as they haven’t been in school or in any of their usual social and physical activities. SO I try to get them outside to bike, surf, hike. Professionally, my career focus has been as great as ever. More people are working out at home so I have been in overdrive mode adding new things to my app so people constantly have new content. We just recently added meditations to the app. And a 30 Day yoga challenge all of September with Dashama (one of my favorite yoga experts). We have an all new audio workout section coming to the app as well. And we are adding slides, kettlebells, and booty bands this fall.

AM: We know you have a new book coming out next year. Are there projects that we should keep an eye out for?

JM: For the Jillian Michaels brand - I focus all efforts in constantly evolving the app. Be it new trainers, new workouts, new ways to get healthy like mind body meditations etc. As a business woman I am constantly investing in other companies that I believe have better for you products. So whether it’s an organic nitro cold brew company like Lucky Jack, or an organic supplement company like Alaya I love supporting great companies who are doing great things.

AM: What philanthropies are you involved in?

JM: Currently I am working with the UNHCR – which is the United Nations Refugee Agency. I am also very passionate about health related charities and animal welfare causes, but my primary focus for the last several years has been to raise funds and awareness for refugees as this is literally the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time.

AM: How you do you take time for yourself to ensure that you replenish your energy?

JM: Here is a strategy I employ to find the time for my self care. It’s called the 12 our rule. So - if there are 168 hours in a week and you prioritize sleep - which is critical to wellness - and take 8 hours a night for that - you’re left with 112 waking hours in your week.

If you have the most difficult scemario and you are a working single parent - and you designate 50 hours a week to run the household (take dog to vet, scoop dry cleaning, run kids back and forth to appointments etc.) and the other 50 hours you designate to work/ career that leave you with 12 remaining hours. Those are YOUR hours. Schedule them accordingly. So I usually take 2 hours a week toward fitness (four 30min workouts at home), one date night, one friend visit, one medical or hygiene appointment (dentist, hair cut, check up etc), a couple hours for a hobby, and this usually helps me over the course of the month stay fit, sane, social. It’s not perfect, but it works. And I schedule those 12 hours weekly. come hell or high water.

AM: When you look at everything that you have accomplished, how do you want your legacy to be defined?

JM: This is gonna sound so cheesy, but it really is true… I want my kids to be my legacy. As I watch my kids grow and become their own unique people I realize what a gift it is to help shape that and guide them to be the best version of themselves. And then I think – maybe this is what I’m actually here for… to be a conduit for a greater thing. A stepping stone in the evolution of something greater.

IG @JillianMichaels

PHOTOS COURTESY | Jillian Michaels

Read the Sep Issue #57 of Athleisure Mag and see Stay on Track with Jillian Michaels in mag.

ORAL CARE WITH DR. BRIAN HARRIS

As we continue through the summer and begin to transition into the fall, many of us know that planning to take care of things that we need from hair appointments, doctor check-ups and more have been impacted by COVID-19 with closures of offices, feeling uncertain about the safety protocols and timing. Many have utilized services such as telemedicine, online/Zoom tutorials for their hair care and more. One of the most common questions our readers have asked us about involves whether they should go to their dental appointment, make one or if there is a way that they can do maintenance from home until their next appointment. In the current times, this makes sense to think about this and we talked with Celeb Dentist and founder of Klēn, Dr. Brian Harris. We talk about how we can take care of our teeth in between appointments, sustainable dental care and of course what to expect when we go back for our dental checkups.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Can you tell me about your background, how you found your way to dentistry and launching this line?

DR. BRIAN HARRIS: My father was a dentist so I grew up around dentistry and was always fascinated with the artistic side of the profession. I have been in practice for 15 years now as a cosmetic dentist and have helped thousands of people improve their smile. In doing so I recognized that a pretty smile is great but a CONFIDENT smile is what is most important. True confidence comes from looking good but also having fresh breath and healthy gums. For years patients would ask me what products I recommended but I didn’t particularly love any of them because of the harsh chemicals and abrasives used to make them. For this reason, the Klēn line of oral care products was launched.

AM: Growing up we were taught that having fluoride was a great ingredient to keep cavities away as well as alcohol in your mouthwash being great to kill germs. Your products have neither of these items as you use natural ingredients in Klēn. Can you share why you chose this and how are your products still beneficial to good dental health.

DR. BH: I understand that having an oral care line without Fluoride is blasphemy for a dentist but there is a good reason for it. I believe that Fluoride is extremely useful for preventing cavities and I use it in my office as needed for cavity prone patients. I do not believe that it is something that should be used in toothpaste every day especially if someone is not prone to getting cavities. I also believe that the amount of fluoride used in over the counter toothpaste brands is not strong enough to truly be effective so why put that into your body every day? Topical fluoride applications at the dentist and prescription based toothpastes with a concentrated amount are important for those that are cavity prone. Otherwise, a good non abrasive toothpaste free of chemicals and harmful products is the way to go.

As far as using alcohol in mouth rinse to fight cavity causing bacteria goes, it works. At the same time, alcohol is one of the leading causes for dry mouth which is one of the leading causes of cavities. It’s a little complicated right?! I don’t think the benefits of alcohol outweigh the consequences…. stick with an alcoholic free rinse.

AM: A number of people suffer with issues of irritated gums and you created a portion of your line that has CBD toothpaste as well as mouthwash. How does CBD as sist in oral care for those who have this issue?

DR. BH: When gums are red and inflamed and bleed on a regular basis, this is a condition of gingivitis or periodontitis. It is an inflammatory process of the body letting you know that the gums are not healthy and need attention. In these cases, the best thing is to see your dental office for a routine cleaning. Along with that I recommend the use the CBD toothpaste and rinse as CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It will help to calm and soothe the tissues.

AM: When we’re at home, what should be our routine in terms of engaging in good dental health as well as the tools necessary to do the job?

DR. BH: The answer to this question may seem a little boring but regular brushing, flossing and the use of a mouth rinse are the most important things you can do. Just make sure you use a non abrasive toothpaste and an alcohol free rinse. If you want to take things next level you can introduce the waterpik and a tongue cleanser to the routine. And for those that are meticulous and want to be free of all stains and build up, the In-Between Klēn mirror and scaler will allow you to get things as healthy and clean as possible.

AM: How often should we see our dentist in a typical year?

DR. BH: On average every 6 months is the safe bet. If someone is more prone to gum disease or other issues I recommend every 3 to 4 months.

AM: How does stress affect our teeth and gums?

DR. BH: Stress can cause excessive clenching and grinding of the teeth causing them to wear down and break. This excessive force can also lead to gum recession and sensitivity of the teeth. In some extreme cases high stress can lead to extreme gum issues causing inflammation and infection of the gum tissue. Try to minimize the stress or at least use some kind of night time dental appliance to minimize the destruction of the tooth structure.

AM: In this time of COVID-19, there have been concerns about doing a number of activities that we have taken for granted. Should we be concerned about going to our dentist?

DR. BH: I think going to the dentist is a personal decision like many of the other decisions we have to make. I f you are someone that is cavity prone or has a history of gum disease in your family then I feel you should go and not postpone it. If you have perfectly healthy gums with no history of cavities then it might make sense to postpone things for a few months to minimize the risk.

AM: If we go to our dentist, what protocols should be in place in terms of us visiting the dentist and what we should expect to see our dentists and assistants wearing and doing to ensure our safety?

DR. BH: Every office is different, but the most important thing is that you see your office taking extra precautions on top of what they would normally do to minimize the spread of the disease.

AM: For those that may want to push back their regular dental appointment as we wait for feeling more comfortable to resume appointments, how does your In-Between assist in maintaining good dental health and how do you use these tools?

DR. BH: The In-Between Klēn is not meant to replace the traditional dental cleaning. With a traditional cleaning your dental hygienist will clean the entire mouth including the areas of bacteria and build up below the gum-line. The In-Between klen is not intended to be used that way. It is to be used on the front teeth only for superficial stains and build up on the teeth above the gum line. Its for cosmetic purposes only and for those wanting to clean things up on their own In-Between their regular routine dental visits.

IG @KlenProducts

PHOTOS COURTESY | Klen Products

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag #56 and see Oral Care with Dr. Brian Harris in mag.

MANAGING THE ANXIETY WITH HEATHER CENTURIONI

We are living in the midst of times that we couldn't create out of the most vivid of our imaginations! With so much uncertainty, we checked in with Heather Centurioni of CODE RED to talk about how being an athlete has fueled her career, how to motivate others to make good choices as they sustain their fitness goals as well as their mental health. She shares insightful tips that are worth noting as we continue to navigate our new reality.

ATHLEISURE MAG: You grew up as a junior elite level athlete in downhill skiing and suffered a horrific downhill ski race accident - how did that shape your focus in living a healthy lifestyle?

HEATHER CENTURIONI: As a young athlete, I could eat whatever I wanted. I could get away with a lot. We were taught to carb-load, etc. I don’t think I ever realized the power of food until I became overweight and nothing was working. I wanted to be healthy, but I had no idea where to start. I knew I was addicted to sugar and carbs. I knew I didn’t need another diet. I needed to learn how to eat. How to fuel my body. How to take care of myself. I also wanted to feel good again, like I did as a young athlete.

AM: When did you realize that you wanted to work in the wellness industry and become a health and wellness coach?

HC: I always have felt the pull to help people. I knew it was my calling, but I struggled for years to figure out what that meant and what it looked like. I am a mother hen at heart. I am at my best when I am lifting others up.

When I began my wellness journey in June 2017, I saw that I was going to get healthy and when I could lift others up who was on the same path, it felt really good! I saw how a high vibe tribe can guarantee success.

AM: How important is accountability in your wellness journey whether you're looking to stay fit, lose weight or other goals that involve transforming your goals based on your desired need?

HC: Listen, if we all could do it alone, we would have already done it, right? I was an elite ski racer, it was me and the clock on the course. I played tennis and golf. I tend to lean towards individual things. “I can do it on my own” type things. In high school and college, I loathed group projects. I prefer things my way. That type A, self-centered trait was not serving me well in my desire to get healthy. I was failing at every corner. I was ashamed. I managed to pack on over 200 pounds, which was far too much for my 5’3” frame. My prosthetics didn’t fit. I was a fat amputee and it was depressing. Having an accountability group was integral to my success. It required me to open up, to be honest, and to be vulnerable. Sharing your good days, right along with your bad days is as important as seeing others do the same. I came to Code Red feeling very isolated. I was depressed. I assumed I was the only one. Being part of a group that understood my feelings really made a difference.

AM: Tell us about CODE RED and why you decided to use their program when you were looking to lose weight?

HC: I was drawn to Code Red for several reasons. It was simple. I wasn’t going to have to exercise (for an overweight amputee, this was key!). My prosthetics were so ill-fitting, just walking around the house was painful. I started with an entry-level challenge. I had nothing to lose. I was deflated, depressed and quite possibly the lowest spot in all my years. The easy rules, support and no-nonsense approach drew me in. I also knew that the program had a maintenance plan. I knew I could get the weight off, but I had never found a program that taught you how to maintain. Funny enough, the end and the far future were most important to me and I knew in my heart that Code Red would give me the tools to stay healthy long term. I also didn’t have to buy crappy shakes, expensive supplements or prescription drugs. I was told to drink water, eat from a healthy food list and sleep! It’s truly that simple.

AM: Because of your success, you became a Certified Coach with CODE RED, why did you decide to work with them?

HC: I believed in the owner, Cristy Nickel and I think she saw my servant's heart and picked up on my keen ability to understand people. I learned a lot after my ski racing accident and in the years that followed. Deciding to have your leg amputated as an 18-year-old, learning to walk again, finishing high school, living in constant pain, I learned a ton about myself and the power of the human spirit. I knew how to overcome.

I knew Cristy’s no-nonsense, simple approach worked and she taught me well, so I was grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and to work alongside her. I also knew, this was it…my calling! I finally found it! The opportunity to help people lose weight, get them healthy and watch their lives change for the better, to them overcome, it has been a dream come true.

AM: What is the CODE RED Lifestyle model?

HC: Code Red is a rallying cry for every person who is fed up with the information overload, complicated diets, and extreme exercise programs. We focus on water, sleep and real food.

AM: We're living in strange times as we are staying at home to flatten the curve, our routines have definitely been altered and anxiety has become a result of these changes - how can we manage this?

HC: Good gracious, it has been hard, right? I think there are several things that can help folks:

* Be grateful and find Grace in the tough moments and the good ones.

* Stay on track with life via a list and a plan.

* Take a time out each day to just be. Being present when you are feeling anxious really helps.

* If you are fortunate enough to have the gift of extra time, use it wisely. Spend it with your family, learn something new, embrace it. When will we ever have extra time again?

AM: For those that are focusing on losing weight during COVID-19 quarantine, what tips do you suggest?

HC: * Drink water!

* Sleep at least 7 hours!

* Ditch the sugar!

* Plan, prep and schedule meal times. Don’t leave your kitchen open all day. Having kitchen hours keeps you from grazing all day and mindless eating.

* If you find yourself turning to food and drinks to soothe your soul, make a list of 12 things you can do instead of over indulging. Maybe you have some chores to tend too, maybe you have a craft to finish, maybe you want to learn something new. DO IT!

AM: Many have found issues in terms of ordering the food that they need whether there are shortages in their grocery stores, delays in deliveries that are coming to them, etc. How can they reduce their anxieties on not being able to control these issues while also staying on their plan?

HC: Keep things simple. Eating well isn’t complicated. You don’t have to be a kitchen whiz to make good food and you don’t have to spend a fortune either. Less is more. Look for vegetables (fresh, frozen, even canned), fats and proteins. Avoid the inner aisles of the grocery stores.

AM: From a mental wellness standpoint, what are some tips that you have for those that are looking to reduce the noise of everything that we've all gone through from updates on COVID, anxiety over when there will be concrete information about re-openings and going back to our routines etc?

HC: I talk a lot about the background noise in our lives with my clients. It comes at us from all directions. Currently, it is everywhere, all the time. No two reports are the same, it’s hard to have faith in anything. I encourage people to cleanup their newsfeeds, if watching the nightly news is depressing, STOP watching! Find something else to do with your time. Don’t buy into all the hysteria. If you can eat real food, ditch the sugar, drink water and get a good night’s rest, you will feel so much better. How you fuel your body will help you with deal with the uncertainty. I know that sounds strange, but you will have less brain fog and less anxiety. The healthier you are, the less likely you are to get sick. Taking care of yourself now, will keep you healthier no matter the situation.

IG @Code_Red_Coach_Heather

PHOTO COURTESY | Heather Centurioni

Read the May Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Managing the Anxiety with Heather Centurioni in mag.

ACHIEVEING OPTIMAL HEALTH BY DETOXING YOUR BODY AND MIND

Are you ready to achieve the optimal health your deserve and rightfully deserve? Here's how to detox your body and mind in a few, simple steps.

Less than 3% of Americans live a healthy lifestyle. Now that most of us are cooped up at home, more people are choosing to prioritize healthy habits. A total body detox can clear your body and mind, giving you the chance for a fresh start!

Eager to detoxify and achieve your optimal health? Here are the five tips that can help!

With these tips for a quick detox, you can soothe your body and mind for a happier, healthier life. Keep reading to learn how to complete a total body detox straight from the comforts of your own home!

1. Kick Bad Habits

The first step toward a full-body cleanse is to clear out the clutter. Remove any bad habits from your life that can cause your mind and body to lag.

For example, try limiting your alcohol intake. Excessive drinking can cause liver damage, making it difficult for your body to filter waste and toxins from your body. Your liver is really the thing you need to detox your body--keep it healthy.

Next, reduce your sugar intake.

Consuming excessive sugar and processed foods can lead to:

• Obesity

• Cancer

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

Sugar may also hinder your body's ability to detoxify itself.

Try decreasing your salt intake, too. Consuming too much salt can cause your body to retain fluid. If you have trouble urinating, your body will fail to detox.

Kicking these bad habits can help start you on the road to optimal health.

2. Catch Up on Sleep

Your body needs rest to support your natural detoxification system. Sleep helps remove toxic waste byproducts like beta-amyloid, which can contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Failing to get enough sleep can lead to:

• Stress

• Anxiety

• High blood pressure

• Heart disease

• Type 2 diabetes

• Obesity

Try to get at least seven hours of sleep each night.

3. Stay Hydrated

If you want to learn how to remove toxicity from your body, water is essential. Water:

• Regulates your body temperature

• Aids digestion

• Supports nutrient absorption

• Detoxifies the body by removing waste

• Lubricates your joints

Water removes waste products from your body when you breathe, urinate, or sweat. If you're dehydrated, your body could fail to heal and break down the nutrients it needs.

4. Add Antioxidants

Replace bad eating habits with good ones. Antioxidants can protect your cells from harmful free radicals. Free radicals can lead to:

• Dementia

• Heart disease

• Cancer

• Asthma

• Liver disease

Eating a diet that's rich in antioxidants can help your body fight oxidative stress and reduce the risk of these conditions. You can also try these Microbe Formulas as you prepare for your total-body detox.

5. Consume Prebiotics

In order to complete your total body detox, try to improve your gut health as well. The cells in your intestines have their own detoxification and excretion system.

This system will protect your gut and body from harmful toxins. Try eating tomatoes, bananas, garlic, and onions to improve your gut health.

Detoxify Your Body and Mind: 5 Tips for Achieving Your Optimal Health

It's time to detoxify! With these five tips, you can achieve your optimal health straight from home. Live happier and healthier with these tips.

Remember to consult your doctor before making any drastic lifestyle changes.

Don't wait to make a positive change! Explore the Lifestyle section of the blog today.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FAT BURNING SUPPLEMENTS

Fat burning supplements are some of the most used health products in the world today. Perhaps this can be attributed to their effectiveness and ease of use.

There is a wide variety of these supplements on the market hence the need to acquire all the information that you can before you decide to purchase or use one.

This article will help you do just that. So what are some of the important things that you need to know about the top fat burning supplements?

·       The different kinds available

Different types of fat burners are readily available in the market today. These can be classified into three main groups, namely; suppressants, stimulants and thermogenic supplements.

Suppressants serve to suppress your appetite thus ensuring that you don't consume all that extra food that your body doesn’t need. It is highly recommended for lovers of junk food.

Stimulants activate the energy production processes in the body resulting in increased energy levels. When you have a lot of energy you tend to be more active thus burning the extra body fats.

Thermogenic supplements increase metabolism in the body hence ensuring fat-burning even without having to be active.

·       The nature of fat burners

Most fat burners are either organic or synthetic. Only a few are a combination of both organic and synthetic.

Organic fat burners are considered natural as they are extracted from organic products. Synthetic fat burners, on the other hand, are made using artificial substances.

It is advisable to opt for organic supplements as prolonged use of synthetic supplements might have adverse side effects. They are also easy to detoxify and don't pose a great risk when taken in large amounts. Examples of organic fat burners are caffeine and green tea.

·       The period of use

Fat burners require different amounts of time to produce visible results. Those considered to be less strong such as suppressants normally take longer than much stronger ones such as thermogenic supplements.

Thus, if you want a fat burner which you will only use for a short period you should go for thermogenic supplements. Do not use them for periods longer than the stated ones as they may alter your immune system.

Also, consider changing the supplement you use after some time as the body has been found to develop resistance to specific supplements when they are used for a long time. You can also decide to alternate among the three specified classes of fat burners.

·       The side-effects

Like all other supplements, fat burners have side-effects too. These range from mild nausea to intense allergic reactions. Thus, you should always check for the ingredients used to make the supplement in addition to the given warnings of possible allergic reactions.

The few reported cases vary from one individual to another. If symptoms persist you should seek medical attention. It is important to consider your medical history before using any supplements.

Stimulants contain caffeine, which is not advisable for use by those suffering from anxiety attacks and heart conditions. You should consult your doctor before buying or using any supplement.

Let them recommend the best product for you and a trusted vendor where you can purchase a genuine product. See this link to read about some side effects of using  fat burners https://stylesatlife.com/articles/fat-burners-side-effects/

·       Price

Fat burners vary in price. The more advanced ones with a combination of multiple substances are usually more expensive than those made up of few substances. The supplements directly affect your health so never make a trade-off between quality and price.

Be careful not to buy counterfeit products as these will not only waste your money but also cause you great harm health-wise. Also, go for what you can afford so that you can consistently buy and use it for the whole recommended period of usage.

You can decide to do bulk-purchasing while shopping for your other health products as this is usually cheaper than making a single purchase. Discounts are large when you purchase in bulk.

·       Dosage and packaging

They come in various forms such as pills, syrup, and powder. Each of these has their advantages.

For instance, pills can be easily carried and taken on the go even when you are traveling, the powder can be mixed with your favorite meal hence easily consumed and syrup comes in different flavors.

The safe dosage is usually specified on the product labels but in some cases, you can be advised otherwise by your doctor. Where it is not precisely stated you should consider starting with a small dosage as you slowly progress with time towards the limit stated.

·       Additional information

Fat burners are meant to supplement other forms of fat-burning practices. You should continue to exercise and follow a healthy diet schedule for maximum benefits.

Besides that, consider taking some time off the supplements after a complete period of usage to give your body ample time for detoxification. This will prevent you from developing complications associated with prolonged use of fat burners, liver and heart diseases being at the top of the list. Changing the fat burners, you use with time also comes in handy.

Also, you should watch out as some supplements contain substances that are considered illegal by the law. These might get you in trouble with the authorities hence you should only use properly tested and certified fat burning supplements.

This is also very important for athletes as they usually get tested for doping substances which when found might completely ruin one’s career. Click here to read more about the supplements.

Conclusion

To conclude, fat-burning supplements are important health products which should be handled with great care. Misuse might result in fatalities.

Also, remember that they take time to produce visible results hence patience is a key aspect in the process. Do not at any given time exceed the specified dosage as this won’t produce results any faster.

 Armed with the information provided in this article, you should be able to make proper choices when dealing with fat-burning supplements.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

WHAT DO YOUR FARTS REVEAL ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?

Fluff, cutting the cheese, breaking wind, booty belch, whoopee, and anal salute are all different ways to refer to the standard and embarrassing fart. Did you know the average person farts approximately 14 to 23 times per day? As awkward as it may be, everyone needs to release gas from their body. It is part of the digestive process and is a necessary bodily function. What do your farts (passing gas) reveal about your general health?  

What is a fart? Flatulence, also known as a fart, is something everyone experiences. It's the release of intestinal gas, which forms as a result of digesting food. Gas can be found throughout the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum.

New York-Based Internist and Gastroenterologist, Dr. Niket Sonpal, explains what your flatulence is trying to tell you.

1. Do you have a balanced diet?

A balanced diet should provide the body with the proper number of vitamins and nutrients. Consuming the appropriate amount of fiber and healthy foods helps keep the digestive system working correctly. If you tend to pass gas more often than you would like, this could mean that the body is not receiving the correct nutrients. Avoiding foods that are processed and harder to digest and sticking to more natural ingredients, could decrease how often you toot. 

2. You may have a food intolerance.   

Not all food allergies can be life-threatening; however, they can still cause conflict day-to-day for some individuals. Food intolerances mainly affect the digestive system making it harder for the stomach to digest food properly. This can lead to smelly and awkward bloating, reflux, and diarrhea after a meal. For example, people with a dairy intolerance struggle to digest lactose, which results in the stomach becoming extraordinarily bloated and sends out foul smells out of the anus. 

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Constantly farting throughout the day could be a sign of a health issue such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, or, in extreme cases, colon cancer. Typically, these health issues cause extreme flatulence, odors or odd pressure on the rectum when they are about to be released. 

4. You are stressed. 

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome go hand in hand with stress. Stress and anxiety can lead to excessive swallowing of air, oxygen release, and digestion issues. These are three causes of having more gas than usual. When people are panicking or stressed, they often swallow more air than necessary, leading to bloating and pressure that needs to be released. On the other spectrum, hyperventilating allows an excess of oxygen to enter the bloodstream, which can also lead to gas problems. 

5.Pre-Menstrual Women  

That time of the month is already painful enough. There are changes in your bowel habits during this time caused by fluctuations in hormones. The shift in your hormones and bowel movements cause farting to become more frequent and smellier during this time of the month. Be mindful of accidentally passing wind while you are pre-menstrual.

6. You might have harmful gut bacteria.

Regular farting is an indicator of healthy gut bacteria and a properly working digestive system. Your body needs good bacteria in your intestine for it to remain healthy. Microbes in your gut are a positive thing because they eat up excess fiber and carbohydrates we do not use. Also, they produce beneficial bacteria. If you do not have any good bacteria, it can lead to constipation and bloating, which is unhealthy for your digestive system.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

5 WAYS COLLAGEN PROTEIN CAN BOOST YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

Collagen is essential to general health and wellness. Collagen, which is considered a structural protein, is found in the body’s connective tissues such as cartilage, bones, tendons, ligaments, and skin. Blood vessels and digestive tract organs also have an abundance of collagen.

Considering its uses all across the body, it’s no wonder many people use collagen supplements to help maintain their overall health. While the body naturally produces collagen on its own, production slows with age, starting when you hit your mid-twenties. Also, lifestyle habits such as smoking and having a high-sugar diet can lower collagen levels in the body.

Collagen Explained

To understand the importance of collagen, you can think of it like a glue that holds the body together. Scientists have identified 28 types of collagen that each have different molecular structures. However, the first three types are most important:

●      Type 1 – Makes up the majority of collagen in the body, primarily found in bones, tendons, cartilage, skin, and teeth.

●      Type 2 – Composed of loosely packed fibers and thus found in tissues like elastic cartilage.

●      Type 3 – Provides structure to arteries, organs, and muscles.

5 Health Benefits of Collagen Protein

Now that you know what collagen is and wherein the body it’s found, you may be wondering what the concrete health benefits of collagen protein are. If you’re thinking about adding more collagen to your diet or taking is as a supplement, consider the following possible benefits and talk to your doctor about proper usage.

1. Better Skin, Hair, and Nails – As you age, you’ll likely start to see wrinkles form and notice drier, sagging skin. This results from the body’s slowed production of collagen. Studies show that both short-term and long-term collagen use can help hydrate your skin and maintain its elasticity. Collagen also promotes hair and nail growth and strength.

2. Stronger Bones and Joints – If your bones and joints give you grief, increasing your collagen intake can offer relief. Because collagen intake can help accumulate cartilage, it has shown promise for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other joint disorders. Collagen also helps increase bone density, making collagen supplementation a great way to help treat osteoporosis.

3. Heart Health – Studies suggest that collagen helps to prevent the accumulation of plaque in your arteries. Type 1 and Type 2 collagen significantly contribute to the strength and elasticity of arterial walls.

4. Digestive Health – The villi that line your intestinal wall are largely made of collagen. Collagen provides the amino acids needed to repair and rebuild the intestinal wall. Also, glycine, the main amino acid in collagen, can help treat inflammatory diseases.

5. Brain Benefits – While more studies need to be conducted, research has shown that collagen may help slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by protecting the brain from amyloid-beta proteins. This kind of amino acid has been found to attack neurons in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Incorporate Collagen Into Your Daily Routine

The benefits of increasing collagen in your body are numerous, and so are the many different ways you can add supplemental collagen intake to your everyday life. You can consume collagen as a powder that easily mixes with the food and drinks you already consume. Or, you can alter your diet to include more collagen-rich foods like bone broth, chicken, and egg whites. However you decide to add collagen use to your daily routine, you’ll likely start to see great improvements to your overall health.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

X BENEFITS OF USING COLLAGEN TO STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Many people don’t give enough consideration to the role their immune system plays in their health. This could be because it doesn’t seem as urgent a concern as other issues, such as being overweight or having an acne breakout. That is, until their immune system weakens and they come down with a nasty cold or the flu. However, even if you were cognizant of the role your immune system plays in your daily health, you probably have not considered ways that you can boost your immune system yet.

The Role Of Collagen In Boosting Your Immune System

One way you can improve the way your immune system works is by taking collagen. Collagen is a substance that is used by many of your bodily systems, such as your skin, bones, connective tissues, hair, teeth and nails. Most of your bodily systems use the “Type 1” collagen which is the toughest kind of collagen, and thus, possibly the most important type of all. Your immune system is also dependent on the presence of collagen to function well.

Let us now examine how you stand to benefit if you rely on collagen to improve your immune system.

Collagen Helps Heal Your Defective Digestive System

Around 70% of your immune system processes occur within your intestines - that is commonly just called “your gut” in layman’s terms. For some people, digestion can be a problem, so there are corresponding effects on your immune system when this happens. If you take collagen supplements, you will be addressing your digestive problems directly from the inside out. This means you will derive immunity benefits if you simply supplement your diet with collagen. You may want to see if marine collagen helps immunity in your case.

Collagen Can Address Effects Of Autoimmune Disorders

An autoimmune disorder is characterized by your immune system suddenly attacking your bodily systems because it perceives those systems to be “invaders” or enemies. So instead of your immune system attacking certified enemies of the human body, such as bacteria or viruses, it attacks you. This makes you weak and in some cases vulnerable - this is when medical science describes your symptoms as signs of an “autoimmune disorder”.

One source claims that autoimmune disorders occur because of chronic inflammation due to leaky gut, or impaired intestines. The leaky gut itself is characterized by “holes” within the walls of the intestines that allow particles such as toxins, bits of food, and even infections to “leak” into your bloodstream. This results in inflammation. When the inflammation continues for some time, the immune system then kicks in and “attacks” the source of the inflammation of the bloodstream. So you come down with an autoimmune disorder, meaning it is your own immune system that is attacking you.

Collagen Taken Orally May Minimize Inflammation

Another source indicated that the collagen that is consumed by mouth does have the potential to reduce molecules that are believed to be linked to inflammation and disease. Since autoimmune disorders may result from prolonged inflammation, this implies that collagen can indeed address autoimmune disorders.

Sources Of Collagen Supplements

If you do indeed need collagen, you may be surprised to know that it is quite easy to get extra supplies of collagen through your diet. Try eating the following to get extra collagen supply:

●      Garlic

●      Avocados

●      Pumpkin seeds

●      Cabbage

●      Tomatoes

●      Berries

●      Eggs

●      Citrus

●      Leafy green vegetables

Bone broth is also said to be a good source of collagen, as stated by some sources. Even while snacking, be mindful about opting for healthy choices that will sustain your immunity.

You may also try to use a refrigerated and liquid form of collagen, or you can try mixing a collagen powder supplement with cold water instead. Either way, the collagen will make it into your digestive system and work from the inside out which is good for people who have digestive issues.

If you have allergies, make sure to be careful where you source your collagen from. Some common allergens are:

●      Seafood (such as fish, shellfish or shrimp)

●      Eggs

Conclusion

The best way to use collagen supplementation is to do it religiously. If you prefer to drink your collagen supplement in the morning, then do it every day at around that time. This will help you to keep track of when you take the collagen, so you can monitor its effects closely. One source says that you need to give your body a stable supply of collagen so that you optimize the benefits. It will also help to keep a journal to keep track of symptoms that you are attempting to treat with collagen supplementation. Take note of the effects of the supplements on your symptoms, so that it will become clear to you whether the collagen is doing what it’s supposed to do, or not.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

GUIDE TO USING INSULIN FOR BODYBUILDING

Have you ever experienced a sudden energy crash? Actually, it tends to happen every time your blood sugar decreases to an abnormally low level that poses danger to your overall health.

Fortunately, insulin is the hormone in charge of regulating the level of glucose in your organism, directing it towards your body cells where a portion is converted into fat while the rest into stamina.

Therefore, numerous bodybuilders have included insulin in their workout, due to its muscle strengthening and energy bosting benefits.  If you intend to use it for the purpose of bodybuilding, here is a guide on its effects, dosage and administration.

Improves muscle growth and strength

The essential reason why bodybuilders use insulin as part of their workout routine is due to its role in the muscle-building process. This hormone is in fact a protein, formed in the pancreases, acting like a stimulator of muscle growth. Every time you are consuming carbohydrates and proteins, insulin is releases by the organ and becomes part of your blood flow. Its job is to reach all the tissues in your organism so as to aid the increase of the muscle mass.

However, in order for its role to be successfully completed, it should enter the cells, but only if the insulin receptors grant its access. Once this hormone enters the tissues, it not only benefits their growth, but it also stimulates the cells to produce proteins that are essential for transforming the amino acids into muscle mass. Visit this link: anabolicsteroiddrugs.com to learn more about its benefits in bodybuilding.

In addition, another crucial element for gaining muscle strength is having a normal blood flow, without any obstruction on its way there. Since these tissues require nutrients for proper growth, they will only get their indispensable supply if blood runs normally throughout the organism.

Turning glucose into energy or fat cells

Once you finish eating a meal, the level of glucose in your organism is on the rise, signaling the pancreas to release the necessary amount of insulin to transform the glucose, either into energy or into fat. It joins the blood flow, thus reaching all the cells and muscles in your organism, ready to let glucose in.

Once the glucose gets settled inside the cells, one part of it is transformed into energy, indispensable for performing all of your daily activities, in this case bodybuilding. The other part is stored by the organism for future use in the form of fat cells. However, in case all the glucose get converted into energy or its ends up being stored, there’s no sugar left in your blood flow, which isn’t beneficial for your health at all.

If your blood sugar level suddenly drops, you’ll experience a sudden drop of energy as well. In order to regain your energy, you definitely need a bite, which sometimes leads to consuming carbohydrates more than the necessary amount.

Administration and dosage

The most common method of taking insulin is in the form of an injection. It take approximately fifteen minutes to begin felling its effects and maximum an hour for the hormone to reach its best effect. It’s essential to start using tiny dosages and gradually increase them until you find the one that is compatible to your needs. However, in case of experiencing a blood sugar crash, you should immediately reduce the amount of insulin intake.

Furthermore, in order to experience the real benefits of insulin in bodybuilding, you’re required to inject it after completing your workout. Don’t forget to eat a certain amount of carbohydrates following the injection, in order to avoid hypoglycemia. This condition is actually the most common side effect of taking insulin, particularly for non-diabetic people.

In case you start feeling dizzy, extremely hungry or non-energetic following your dosage, either reduce the amount of insulin or cease using it. Whenever you feel these symptoms eat something sweet in order for your blood sugar to go up. Visit this page to learn more about hypoglycemia, its symptoms, causes and treatments.

Conclusion

Make sure you know exactly how insulin works, prior to using it for bodybuilding.

Get your required energy and strength without experiencing sudden energy crashes!

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

HOW TO BOOST YOUR BODY'S METABOLISM WHILE WORKING OUT

When you're working out, you'll always want to have the best results for your body. After all, you don't go through a whole lot of effort to not see any improvement in your physique at all. One of the most common goals with working out is to lose weight through enhanced metabolism.

Metabolic rate is another term used to refer to metabolism. This is an all-encompassing term used to describe the body's chemical reactions. These reactions are also necessary, as they keep your body alive and functioning well. But, human beings don't have the same metabolic rate due to individual variations.

A faster metabolism can help you burn fat faster, thereby also speeding up your process of losing weight. If your interest lies along those lines, here are some tips to help you boost your body's metabolism:

1. Fill Your Diet To Include Omega-3

If you wish to speed up your metabolism, working out isn't the only way to go about it. While you work out, you can also take it up a notch and give yourself a workout boost by switching up your diet as well. One of the healthiest ways to do so is to include Omega-3 Fatty Acids in your diet. Omega 3 is packed with heart-healthy fatty acids and Vitamin D. When appropriately incorporated into your diet, this can help speed up your metabolism and lose weight faster.

Here are the two types of Omega-3 Fats that increase your metabolism:

●      Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids. This type is mostly found in algae and algae oil, seafood, fish oil, and fatty fish.

●      Essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids. This is found in a wide variety of plant sources. Of all, however, the richest seem to come from chia seeds, flax seeds, walnuts, and hemp seeds.

2. Incorporate Planks In Your Exercise

Planks are an excellent exercise to incorporate into your routine. First of all, they're effortless and straightforward to do. You can even perform your planks anywhere. With planking, there are also many different variations that you can try out. Though it may look simple, however, it's still one of the most effective exercises to do.

Apart from increasing your metabolism, planks are a good exercise for the following reasons:

●      It's a bodyweight exercise, which means that you use nothing else except your body.

●      It's a cheap exercise to do, as you don't even need equipment.

●      It's a good exercise for your core.

3. Have Plenty Of Protein In Every Meal

There are particular foods that can help increase your metabolism for a couple of hours. Apart from those with Omega-3 fatty acids as enumerated above, protein is also an excellent choice. This is referred to as the thermic effect of food, which occurs because of the extra calories needed by the body to digest, absorb, and process the nutrients in your food.

Protein is one of the critical nutrients that can help increase the thermic effect of food. Additionally, with protein in every meal, it also has the effect of keeping and making you feel fuller, thus also preventing you from overeating.

That said, when your body takes in protein, it can help increase your metabolism and thereby also prevent you from overeating.

4. Do Reverse Lunges In Your Workout

Lunges are also another excellent exercise for you to incorporate in your routine. They may look simple, but after only a few reps, you'll start to feel the burning effect in your body. Once you get the hang of it, there are many benefits that you can gain from regularly performing lunges. Some of these include:

●      Increasing your metabolism, thereby aiding in faster weight loss

●      Helping you stand taller and correcting your posture

●      Enhancing your body's balance and stability

With reverse lunges, in particular, your core, glutes, and hamstrings are activated. With lesser stress on your joints, reverse lunges help you to create better stability in your leg.

5. Drink A Lot Of Cold Water

Rather than immersing yourself in too many sugary drinks, choose cold water instead to hydrate yourself. Yes, not even the energy drinks that you think might help you as you work out are actually useful. People who drink more water than drinks laden with sugar are more successful in losing weight.

Water can also help temporarily speed up your metabolism. For instance, individuals who drink 0.5 liters of water increase their rate of metabolism from around 10% to 30% in that hour. This value is heightened with cold water, as the body will need more energy to heat the water to body temperature.

Even more importantly, water has a very filling effect. This can help control your food intake as you feel full. Thus, the efficacy of cold water has been proven in helping you lose weight and increasing your metabolism.

Conclusion

Kickstarting your metabolism is one of the most foolproof ways to burn more calories, and in turn, ultimately lose weight. In terms of working out, this refers to the process of breaking down more molecules. This way, you can access all the energy that you need to work out, allowing your body to efficiently process utilized and stored energy.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

DETOX NATURALLY: WHEN, WHY AND HOW TO BOOST YOUR BODY'S NATURAL DETOXIFICATION SYSTEM

Gwyneth Paltrow has warned against the trend towards juice cleanses as a way to detox. She told The Telegraph that after 10 days of doing the Master Cleanse in her 20s,  she ended up hallucinating. “Be aware,” she said. “A juice detox can crash your metabolism and lead to future weight gain.” This isn’t to say that a wellness detox is a bad idea, however:  our bodies are exposed to toxins every day, and a detox every now and then can be of great benefit to our health. The key is to harness the power of your own body.

Your Body Has A Natural Detoxification System

Detox diets are often promoted as ways to improve your health, help you lose weight and remove toxins from your body, and they tend to involve the use of teas, vitamins, minerals, laxatives and diuretics. Few trendy detox diets specify which toxins they target or how exactly they remove them, and there is no evidence to suggest that these diets are effective in sustainable weight loss or toxin elimination. The body naturally eliminates toxins through the liver, kidneys, lungs, skin and digestive system, and an effective detox simply means boosting your body’s innate detoxification system.

How Do You Know If You Need A Detox?

Our bodies are exposed to toxins every day, and sometimes they build up to leave us feeling under the weather and uncomfortable. This tells you it’s time for a  wellness detox, and there are a few specific signs to watch out for. The body eliminates toxins through your sweat, and when it is working hard to do this, you may experience skin problems such as rashes, eczema flare-ups and acne. Studies have linked the standard western diet, a diet rich in fat and sugar, with skin inflammation, and when skin conditions flare up, your diet is usually the first place to look for answers.  

You should also watch out for digestive problems: if you’re regularly experiencing heartburn, stomach cramps, bloating or excessive gas, your body may be telling you it needs to detox. Other signals include pain in the joints and muscles (which signifies chronic inflammation), sugar cravings, insomnia and mood swings. If you’re regularly experiencing any of these symptoms, your body’s trying to tell you it needs some help to boost its detoxification system. 

How To Optimize Your Body’s Detoxification System

Rather than buying into a commercial detox plan, nurture your body’s natural detoxification system by making a few simple changes to your lifestyle. Start by drinking more water, which helps detoxify your body by removing waste. Reduce your consumption of salty, sugary and heavily processed foods, which affect detoxification by damaging vital organs like the kidneys and liver. In their place, try to consume more foods that are rich in antioxidants, which will help your body battle oxidative stress. Foods rich in antioxidants include berries, nuts, vegetables and cocoa. 

Your gut health is integral to a healthy detoxification system. When your body is overloaded with toxins, the bacteria in the gut can become unbalanced, which can reduce the body’s effectiveness in detoxification. To re-establish good balance in the gut, choose foods that are rich in prebiotics, such as bananas, asparagus, tomatoes and oats.

In addition to making dietary changes, you can boost your body’s ability to detox by prioritizing sleep and exercising regularly. Stick to a regular sleep schedule, aiming for seven to nine hours of good quality sleep each night. Regular exercise, meanwhile, will reduce inflammation, helping your detoxification system to function at its optimum level.

Detox diets are often sold as ways to help us lose weight and boost our health. This isn’t completely unfounded: our bodies are subject to toxicity buildup, particularly if we don’t take care of them. However, we have an inbuilt system to help us deal with the problem, and a healthy wellness detox simply means helping it to do its job so we can detox and heal naturally.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

SELF CARE 101: HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR OVERALL HEALTH

Having good health is vital to your life. When you’re fit and healthy, you can do all the things that you want without worrying about any health issues. However, being in a cycle of work, sleep, and constant action can prevent you from taking control of your well-being. As a result, you’re susceptible to a lot of illnesses such as heart diseases, cancers, stroke, and many more.

If you think you should invest in your health, here’s how you can take care of yourself to stay fit and healthy at all times.

Protect Your Skin

Just like other parts of your body, your skin also plays an essential role in your overall health as it performs many significant functions for your body. For instance, it safeguards your body against many bacteria and viruses that you’re in contact with every day. With healthy skin, you’re able to keep your body’s temperature at a consistent level.

For these reasons, it’s essential not to take your skin for granted to avoid the development of some skin diseases. When you’re exposed to too much sunlight, you have a higher chance of incurring skin cancer. To prevent this, it’s a good idea to minimize the time you spend in the sun.

If you’re outside, wear protective clothing and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin.

And aside from your daytime skincare routine, inculcate some nighttime skincare habits to ensure a more radiant skin in the morning. To do this, wash your face thoroughly and try a night face mask to eliminate the toxins accumulated during the day.

Get A Good Sleep

Keeping yourself healthy means you should get enough sleep each night. Typically, most doctors would recommend an average of 7 – 8 hours of sleep every night to avoid the effects of sleep deprivation. When you don’t have enough sleep, your mood, memory, level of attention, and concentration might get affected. Also, when you deprive yourself of sleep, you’re at risk of many serious health problems.

Hence, if you want to stay healthy for a long time, be sure to follow good sleeping habits from now on.

Eat Healthily

Of course, your body needs balanced nutrition to stay fit and healthy despite your busy schedule. By eating healthy, you can also help lower your bad cholesterol and keep your weight at an ideal level. So, start making healthier food choices to avoid some severe health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and many more.

These can be a combination of fruits, green vegetables, fish, and other nutritious foods that are good for your health. But if you don’t know how to come up with the right food choices, check some reliable resources online like the Winnow Food Blog to get some healthy recipes that suit your diet.

Relax And Meditate

Working too much can cause a lot of stress and other health issues. Therefore, it’s time to get comfortable, relax, and meditate to help calm your mind for the busy day ahead. For a healthier mind and body, spend at least 5 to 10 minutes of meditation each day before you start your usual routine. Fill yourself with positivity by thinking about all the things you’re happy and grateful for. That way, you’re able to reap the benefits of having excellent mental fitness for your overall health.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Hydration is crucial to your overall health. When you drink plenty of water each day, you’re able to maintain your energy at a constant level without getting dehydrated. It’s important to remember that experiencing dehydration might cause several health issues.

In such a case, always take hydration seriously by drinking more or less eight glasses of water a day, depending on the level of physical activity you’re about to perform and the size of your body. And in case you want something else other than regular water, you can try adding some ingredients such as cucumber, mint, and lime. This isn’t only healthy but delicious as well.

Exercise Your Body

Aside from work, your body also needs some exercise to energize and keep yourself away from certain health problems such as diabetes, osteoporosis, blood pressure, and many more. Generally, people who follow a routine exercise are happier and healthier. They also don’t get injured easily because they have stronger bones.

Thus, if you’re concerned about your physical and mental health, try getting some exercise for at least 30 to 60 minutes per day. Be sure to make it a habit because any amount of exercise can go a long way in promoting your well-being and keeping your body healthy. 

Conclusion

In reality, your overall health is a valuable asset. If you’re not in good shape, you might not be able to get through each day of your life. Because of this, always take care of yourself by keeping the list mentioned above in mind. Remember, the more you maintain a healthy mind and body, the more you can get the life that you want. 

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

BENEFITS OF TAKING AN ANATOMY PHYSIOLOGY COURSE FOR FITNESS TRAINERS

If you are interested in health and fitness, one job that you could try out is being a fitness trainer. To be a good fitness trainer, you might need to take up an anatomy and physiology course to further help you understand the human body and, thus, proper exercise techniques.  

Of course, there are other benefits for you when you take up an anatomy and physiology course, such as these: 

It Can Lead You To A Career In Medicine

Some people may take up an anatomy and physiology course just to fulfill college credits, only to find that they really have a talent for it. If you manage to get the top scores in the class for this subject, you should seriously consider whether a career in Medicine is now open for you. Of course, getting a Masters is also an option. Click to find out the requirements for this.

You Develop a Sharper Memory

The anatomy and physiology course will require you to memorize a lot of information, most of it about the different minute parts of the human body. This means that you will be sharpening your memory so that even small details don’t escape you. And this skill will follow you in other areas as well, such as teaching people how to exercise.

You Learn to Analyze Human Body Parts (Including Your Own)

To learn about the human body, it is mandatory to open up animal cadavers such as dead animals because that is how you gain an understanding of why different body parts are attached to other body parts. This subject will also include analyzing your own body, which may entail taking your own blood samples and looking at it through a microscope. You might also examine your urine samples and skin cell samples too. These will allow you to understand what is happening to your own body so that you can analyze well what is happening to the body of other people as you teach exercise to them.

You Learn to Be a Self Starter

Immersing yourself in an anatomy and physiology class will mean that you should take the time to study the difficult parts of the course. If the instructor doesn’t cover everything in a lecture, it is beneficial to be a self-starter and study even the parts she left out. This allows you to become an expert on anatomy and physiology which will come in handy as you get more and more clients with different kinds of body types and different fitness needs.

You Learn What the Human Body Is Capable of Doing

Some people might think that the human body has many limitations but fail to notice its many extraordinary functions. By taking an anatomy and physiology course, you will be able to appreciate just how wonderful the human body is and the many possible accomplishments the person occupying that human body can do. Eventually, as you practice your knowledge of anatomy and physiology in your fitness trainer role, you will also learn how other people who have physical disabilities are able to overcome their limitations and become superheroes in their own right.

You Are Able to Earn a Living By Practicing What You Learned

If your prime motivation in taking up anatomy and physiology was to become a better fitness trainer, well, congratulations! You picked the right subject to study in-depth. By learning more about the human body and its functions, you will be better able to assist your clients in exercising with proper form and instruct them on how to stay fit. You will be able to answer the questions of your clients about training for a sport such as a triathlon while they are pursuing work and family responsibilities at the same time. And you will get well paid for your efforts because a capable fitness trainer is hard to come by nowadays, with many so-called “fitness experts” masquerading as authorities on fitness and exercise nowadays.

Plus the good news is that you can help as many people as you can fit into your schedule so you stand to benefit financially from it.

Final Thoughts

Taking up an anatomy and physiology course is really a good fit for a fitness trainer because it requires memorization of and familiarity with the human body and its many functions. You will find that your job as a fitness trainer requires this kind of in-depth training about the body. You may also realize that you are able to help many people with your knowledge and expertise about anatomy and physiology, particularly when it comes to exercising and fitness.

You could use this kind of immersion as a stepping stone towards a full-time career in Medicine if you are talented enough. So do try to get entry to an anatomy and physiology course in a great school so that your career options will improve.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

WHAT DO YOUR FARTS SAY ABOUT YOUR HEALTH?

Fluff, cutting the cheese, breaking wind, booty belch, whoopee, and anal salute are all different ways to refer to the standard and embarrassing fart. Did you know the average person farts approximately 14 to 23 times per day? As awkward as it may be, everyone needs to release gas from their body. It is part of the digestive process and is a necessary bodily function. What do your farts (passing gas) reveal about your general health?  

What is a fart? Flatulence, also known as a fart, is something everyone experiences. It's the release of intestinal gas, which forms as a result of digesting food. Gas can be found throughout the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum.

New York-Based Internist and Gastroenterologist, Dr. Niket Sonpal, explains what your flatulence is trying to tell you.

1. Do you have a balanced diet?

A balanced diet should provide the body with the proper number of vitamins and nutrients. Consuming the appropriate amount of fiber and healthy foods helps keep the digestive system working correctly. If you tend to pass gas more often than you would like, this could mean that the body is not receiving the correct nutrients. Avoiding foods that are processed and harder to digest and sticking to more natural ingredients, could decrease how often you toot. 

2. You may have a food intolerance.   

Not all food allergies can be life-threatening; however, they can still cause conflict day-to-day for some individuals. Food intolerances mainly affect the digestive system making it harder for the stomach to digest food properly. This can lead to smelly and awkward bloating, reflux, and diarrhea after a meal. For example, people with a dairy intolerance struggle to digest lactose, which results in the stomach becoming extraordinarily bloated and sends out foul smells out of the anus. 

3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Constantly farting throughout the day could be a sign of a health issue such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, or, in extreme cases, colon cancer. Typically, these health issues cause extreme flatulence, odors or odd pressure on the rectum when they are about to be released. 

4. You are stressed. 

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome go hand in hand with stress. Stress and anxiety can lead to excessive swallowing of air, oxygen release, and digestion issues. These are three causes of having more gas than usual. When people are panicking or stressed, they often swallow more air than necessary, leading to bloating and pressure that needs to be released. On the other spectrum, hyperventilating allows an excess of oxygen to enter the bloodstream, which can also lead to gas problems. 

5.Pre-Menstrual Women  

That time of the month is already painful enough. There are changes in your bowel habits during this time caused by fluctuations in hormones. The shift in your hormones and bowel movements cause farting to become more frequent and smellier during this time of the month. Be mindful of accidentally passing wind while you are pre-menstrual.

6. You might have harmful gut bacteria.

Regular farting is an indicator of healthy gut bacteria and a properly working digestive system. Your body needs good bacteria in your intestine for it to remain healthy. Microbes in your gut are a positive thing because they eat up excess fiber and carbohydrates we do not use. Also, they produce beneficial bacteria. If you do not have any good bacteria, it can lead to constipation and bloating, which is unhealthy for your digestive system.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

SURVEY FINDINGS ON HIV

On a recent HIV study presented by Merck Research Laboratories, there were some interesting facts that came out via recent research that focused on Millennials and Gen Z on their lack of knowledge about this disease:

·       Survey findings showed a profound lack of accurate sex and HIV education among all participants, however the trend worsened in Gen Z

o   More than two-thirds of HIV-negative young adults said they were most concerned about getting HIV as compared to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

o   54% of HIV-negative respondents did not report using condoms or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to protect themselves against the HIV virus and other STIs

·       Although millennials and Gen Z did not experience the start of the HIV epidemic firsthand, they still perpetuate the stigma seen in the early days of HIV

o   More than one quarter of HIV-negative millennials said they have avoided hugging, talking to or being friends with someone with HIV, and 30% said they would prefer not to interact socially with someone with HIV

o   People with HIV who take HIV medicine as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load (or stay virally suppressed) have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV to their HIV-negative sexual partners. The survey found that respondents had varying perceptions about what it means to be undetectable and the risk of transmitting the virus to another person.

o   84% of Gen Z and 65% of millennials living with HIV who are abstaining from sex do so because of their HIV-positive status

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

PREGOREXIA AND DRUNKOREXIA | FOOD AND WEIGHT OBSESSIONS GO TO DANGEROUS NEW LEVELS

In a society that values thinness, conditions like anorexia and bulimia cut across race, color, gender and socioeconomic constraints. They’re defined by extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, roughly 30 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their life. Two new dangerous eating disorders they are mostly being seen with millennials are “pregorexia” and “drunkorexia.” We turned to Dr. Sanam Hafeez, New York City based neuropsychologist and Teaching Faculty Member at the prestigious Columbia University Teacher’s College for some insight.

Drunkorexia: “I want to drink but I don’t want to get fat so, I won’t eat.”

While binge-drinking is in no way gender-specific, drunkorexia is a practice more common to females. This term is used to describe the unhealthy combination of extreme food restriction, bulimia and alcoholism; basically, it is a term for a female who starves herself throughout the day, then drinks to excess at night.

Those who engage in this practice rarely suffer from anorexia. This is because a female with anorexia tends to avoid alcohol consumption altogether. Even if she eats nothing during the day, the high caloric content of alcohol is too frightening. “The fear of losing control is enormous. Rigid control is essential to maintaining anorexia. Alcohol may lead to a relaxation of this rigidity and she may fall victim to the allure of food which is why anorexics avoid alcohol,” explains Dr. Hafeez.

For myriad reasons, a female with bulimia is much more likely to fall into the category of drunkorexia. “In the case of the bulimic, alcohol may play a significant role in their binge-purge cycle. In addition to eating huge quantities of food, she drinks excessively. Not only does she experience the mood-altering effects of alcohol, but also the large amount of fluid helps her in the purge process. After purging, she may drink more to sustain the high of intoxication. It’s an incredibly damaging cycle,” adds Dr. Hafeez.

The Dangers of Drunokorexia

Eating on an empty stomach will definitely increase blood alcohol concentration, simply because there is nothing there to absorb the alcohol. This increase is more likely to result in blackouts, injury, and poor decision-making. It also can result in temporary dehydration because of excessive urination and lack of thirst. Also, engaging in this behavior frequently can lead to nutritional deficiencies. These are some of the more immediate effects, but longer-term effects can include increased damage to the liver and kidneys, as well as alcohol addiction.

If you are worried that you or someone you know are suffering from drunkorexia or you know someone that is, it is important that you seek professional treatment. “We would want to work on the needs to control and escape also worthiness issues hence, the focus on thinness,” Hafeez explains.

Pregorexia: “I’m pregnant, don’t want it to show, and I absolutely cannot get fat.”

In the age of social media, it’s not so surprising that this condition exists. Pregnant millennials see celebrities their age pregnant on Instagram with their “bounce back body” in tip-top shape just weeks (or a few posts) after giving birth.  

These women are so afraid of weight gain during pregnancy that they  don't adequately nourish themselves and their developing baby. “While it is not an actual diagnosis, the fear of weight-gain due to pregnancy and worse, the inability to return to the pre-baby weight, makes some expectant mother’s pregorexic and this is when some turn to strict dieting and excessive exercise,” shares Dr. Hafeez. 

Not gaining enough weight when you're pregnant is dangerous. It can increase the risk of miscarriage and birth complications such as prematurity and low birth weight.

The risk of pregorexia might be higher for women who have a history of eating disorders and those who have a weak social support system.

Specific warning signs of pregorexia might include:

·         Talking about the pregnancy as if it weren't real

·         Heavily focusing on calorie counts

·         Eating alone or skipping meals

·         Exercising excessively

What happens when you don't eat enough nutritious food in pregnancy?

When you severely restrict your food intake, or binge and purge while you're pregnant, your baby will not receive the necessary nutrients it needs to develop in the womb.

Your baby may be born underweight and develop other health complications during infancy. You will also likely be fatigued. The lack of nutrients to your baby may hamper their growth and development which may later result in serious health conditions.

For some women, pregorexia may lead to a miscarriage.

Women should not be shamed for this condition; it doesn't make them bad mothers, they are fighting a battle. Instead we should talk about it more, so the disorder can be better understood and destigmatized.

WHERE TO SEEK HELP

Call a 24-hour Alcoholics Anonymous hotline: 510-839-8900

Hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237, This helpline offers support Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. EST, and Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. EST.

Something Fishy: 1-866-418-1207, This eating disorder helpline offers treatment referrals nationwide.

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders:

1-630-577-1330 Currently serving people in the United States, the hotline operates Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. CST

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.