Fitness And Health

Millions of Americans suffer from fatigue.  Their energy levels are so low that they require a pot of coffee to crawl out of bed in the morning.  When afternoon hits, they begin drinking sugary, caffeine-rich energy drinks to keep up at work.  By evening, exhaustion sets in and they go straight to bed, only to repeat the same lethargic process the next day.  It’s time for these energy-deprived people to realize that this isn’t how the body was meant to operate. 

Your body can produce massive amounts of energy when it is given the right fuel.  Once this happens, anything is possible!  Your boundless energy will drive life’s most important accomplishments, thoughts, creations, and relationships.  The world’s best athletes and business entrepreneurs understand this important fact.  High levels of energy have driven their many achievements and gotten them to the top.

But don’t think that performance-driven energy is for elite athletes and businessmen only.  You too can have it when you make some simple dietary changes that are required for energy building.

First, replace carbohydrates with healthy fats three times per day. I’m not talking about disease-causing trans fats and vegetable oils.  I’m talking about Mother Nature’s energy-boosting fats found in whole eggs, grass-fed beef, cold water fish, coconut oil, seeds, nuts and avocados, to name just a few. Unlike carbohydrates, consuming healthy fat does not result in a spike of the fatigue-causing, fat-storing hormone insulin.  And even better, healthy fat  exponentially increases production of the energy molecule ATP.  ATP is the master energy- and strength-producing molecule within the body. The more you have, the better you perform.

A single fat molecule can produce a whopping 129 molecules of ATP. In contrast, without enough healthy fat, the body is forced to utilize an inferior source of fuel for ATP production — carbohydrates. A single carbohydrate molecule produces a paltry 38 molecules of ATP! Do the math — a single fat molecule yields more than three times the energy as a carbohydrate molecule!

Second, begin supplementing daily with 0.5 to 3.0 grams of the amino acid, acetyl-L-carnitine (ACLAR).This essential molecule acts as a chaperone to fat.  It works by carrying fat to our cellular energy furnace — the mitochondria. Without ALCAR, fat remains stored, usually in the belly, and you grow tired.

An article in the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics recently highlighted the effectiveness of ALCAR among the elderly.¹ The authors showed that ALCAR was successful at boosting both mental and physical energy. About 100 participants over the age of 70 showed dramatic increases in mental capacity and exercise duration as a result of ALCAR.

Finally, replace sugary energy drinks with water, green tea or yerba mate tea. Each one of these healthy drinks mobilizes fat to enter the bloodstream to ensure energy production.  Green and yerba mate teas can also boost mood and serve as a great pre- and post-exercise drink.

Once you have implemented these dietary changes, expect a significant change in your energy levels.  You can say goodbye to mediocrity and the highs and lows associated with the use of fatigue-masking substances.  And regardless of your age, say hello to a new found energy that will fuel success.

1. Malaguarnera, M et al.  Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. accepted for publication 22 March 2007. 

[Ed. Note: Shane Ellison is known as 'The People's Chemist.'  He holds a Master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand industry experience with drug research, design and synthesis.  He is the author of Health Myths Exposed and The Hidden Truth about Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs. To learn more, click here.]

This article appears courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs which offers alternative health solutions for mind, body and soul.