Exercise

The New Year resolution for many of my customers is to start exercising or to increase their exercise routine. Physical activity and exercise is one of the main foundations of health and well-being. Exercise is an essential way which can stimulate our vitality, strength, and natural healing mechanisms of the body. Our culture seems to have a love-hate relationship with exercise and sports. On one hand, spending time on sporting events and buying sporting products are at its highest level; on the other hand, rates of obesity and metabolic diseases has been steadily increasing for decades. Exercising regularly is the most important practice for developing exercise tolerance, as well as improving stamina and endurance. Benefits of exercise are well-documented and provide tremendous protection for health in the long-term. Regular physical activity has the direct effect of promoting adaptability of the heart, the vascular system, and the nervous system. Physical activity also promotes a harmonious relationship between the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, nervous system, and endocrine (hormonal) system. These stimulating and harmonizing effects confer disease prevention. Doing up to 40-45 minutes of daily exercise is most beneficial. Also, interval exercise that alternates between high intensity and low intensity activity is more beneficial to burn calories and improve endurance.

Two herbs that will help: Withania and Rhodiola

Withania Somnifera is commonly known as Ashwagandha or Indian Ginseng is a popular herb in many natural health traditions. It is well known for its capacity as an adrenal tonic. By cutting down the demand for cortisol hormone, Withania helps to shift the production of hormones toward more anabolic hormones like DHEA and Testosterone. Research has confirmed the testosterone building effect in animal and human studies. Testosterone is an important anabolic hormone, it helps building muscle tissue, strength, promotes regeneration of tissues, while enhancing mental vigour and vitality. Rhodiola helps by improving oxygen transfer from lungs to red blood cells. It is a Himalayan root used by locals to adapt to the stress of living and working at high altitudes. Its anti-fatigue effect is through the enhancement of oxygen efficiency.