Tag: antioxidants

You Can Have Your Antioxidants On-the-Go

Published on by Nikken

One of the buzz words in the wellness industry is “inflammation.” The good news is that there is a way to fight inflammation, and they’re called antioxidants. Unlike bad habits and environmental elements that cause physical or mental stress from the outside, inflammation is internal and caused by an increase of free radicals produced inside the body.1

Antioxidants can help fight free radicals that are produced inside the body as well as those that the body is exposed to externally. Like pollution, UV exposure, cigarette smoke and excessive intake of alcohol, inflammation is the cause of many physical complaints. Antioxidants can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures.2 These unstable molecules are known as free radicals, and antioxidants are sometimes called free-radical scavengers. If the body cannot process and remove free radicals efficiently, this can harm cells and cause them to misfire.

Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and cranberries are among the top fruit sources of antioxidants. Sweet potatoes, carrots, red and green peppers, kale, spinach, and broccoli all contain the antioxidant carotene. Red, orange, deep yellow and dark green leafy vegetables are ideal to eat daily for their antioxidant values as well as for their delicious flavors. Walnuts and pecans are some of the nuts with the highest antioxidant content.3 As a bonus, these fruit, nuts and vegetables are not only high in antioxidants but also in fiber, low in saturated fat and cholesterol and good sources of vitamins and minerals. When you add them regularly to the diet, you are tripling your potential health benefits.

Vitamins C and E and carotenoids are antioxidants that are known to help protect the cells from damage from free radicals. Other types of naturally-occurring antioxidants include flavonoids, tannins, phenols and lignans. Plant-based foods are the best sources for these types of antioxidants and are found not only in fruit, vegetables and nuts, but also in seeds, herbs, spices and even cocoa.4

In addition to eating the right foods, certain things can be done to help prevent cell damage and oxidative stress. All these behaviors are part of the Active Wellness Lifestyle:

•          Limit or eliminate certain foods from your diet, especially refined and processed foods, trans fats, artificial sweeteners and food with certain dyes and additives/preservatives.

•          Don’t smoke cigarettes. Don’t vape.

•          Consider switching to natural cleaners to limit exposure to chemicals.

•          Limit exposure to pesticides and use natural alternatives such as water mixed with vinegar and lemon oil/juice or herbs such rosemary and peppermint.

•          Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.5

•          Exercise regularly but don’t overdo it. When you push your body over its limits, inflammation results and you are doing more harm than good.

Since eating right is so important, summer might be a challenging time of the year, because many people go on vacation or are spending more time away from home, where it’s easy to prepare healthy meals. That’s when Kenzen® Super Ciaga® powder can become your primary weapon against any deficiency in natural antioxidant consumption. Formulated as a powder specifically to make it portable during traveling, Kenzen® Super Ciaga® is abundant with berries—blackberries, blueberries and raspberries—and the lesser known but super-antioxidants maqui berries and elderberries. You can take these deliciously combined antioxidants with you virtually anywhere you go and simply mix with water. Sweetened with organic monkfruit, one scoop of this “power powder” in a couple ounces of water or smoothie can give your immune system a much welcome boost! With Kenzen Super Ciaga powder, you can truly take your antioxidants on-the go!

Give the Summer Active Wellness Pack a try while it’s 20% off through September 30, and you can experience the amazing taste and convenience of Kenzen® Super Ciaga® powder. It’s a great beverage to share with friends that you meet on your summer travels!

1, 2 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/301506#benefits

3, 4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/multimedia/antioxidants/sls-20076428#:~:text=Antioxidants%20are%20substances%20that%20may,to%20tobacco%20smoke%20or%20radiation.

5 https://www.skincancer.org/blog/ask-the-expert-does-a-high-spf-protect-my-skin-better/

Caffeine-sensitive? Try Kenzen Ten4® with natural caffeine.

Published on by Nikken

Athletes are always looking for that competitive edge. For example, some swimmers shave their entire bodies; many runners swear by carbo-loading; jockeys are known to fast before races; extreme behaviors become run-of-the-mill—all in pursuit of heightened performance and victory. One performance enhancer that is drawing more attention from elite athletes is perfectly legal: caffeine.

Caffeine has always been the perennial best friend of high school and college students—whether as a wake-me-up or a means to stay awake while cramming for exams. Triathletes and distance runners have used caffeine as an energy booster for decades, but in more recent years, those involved in short-burst sports are also taking advantage of this stimulant.

Natural sources of caffeine include seeds, leaves, nuts and berries. In Kenzen Ten4® Energy Drink Mix, there are 80 mg per serving of natural caffeine from organic matcha green tea. The caffeine in organic matcha green tea not only may help boost energy, but it also may create a calm type of awareness. In other words, organic matcha green may well provide you with a pick-me-up feeling without the jitteriness that caffeine from other sources may cause. The natural caffeine in organic matcha green tea binds to the naturally occurring phytonutrients to slow down the absorption of the stimulant, giving it a slow release effect, resulting in up to six hours of enhanced alertness or physical performance.

Eating Right, Made Easy

Published on by Nikken

The truth of the matter is, eating right is not only easy to do, but many of the foods that are best for us, are simply delicious. It’s a win-win.

The easiest way to make sure we’re eating right is to cook the food ourselves. This automatically decreases the amount of “convenience” food, which is often processed—meaning the actual nutrients have long been “refined” out of it. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. No need for rich sauces and time-consuming baked goods. A quick sauté of fresh vegetables and grilling lean cuts of meat, fish and other sea food is delicious and satisfying, without adding “empty” calories.

Many real foods are actually very convenient and good for us, because they can be eaten raw, contain antioxidants and minerals, and are nutrient-dense. For example:

  • Kiwi is believed to contain properties that help to lower blood pressure as well as to prevent disease.
  • Green leafy vegetables, including kale, spinach, watercress, pea sprouts, yam leaves and chard are known to be low in calories, high in calcium and fiber—lending the benefits of cleaning the digestive system and promoting bone health.
  • Red and yellow fruits and vegetables are believed to be high in lutein, a naturally occurring carotenoid known as an antioxidant with blue light absorption abilities. Blue light helps increase the growth rate of healbe high in lutein, a naturally occurring carotenoid known as an antioxidant with blue light absorption abilities. Blue light helps increase the growth rate of healthy cells, prevent eye disease and clogging of the arteries. Choose delicious and colorful squash, carrots, bell peppers, and once again, green and leafy vegetables.
  • Apples and citrus fruits contain pectin, a type of fiber believed to help lower cholesterol as well as to stimulate digestion.
  • Onions are thought to fight cancer and bone loss.
  • Garlic is believed to boost the immune system.

Eating delicious food and being positive lifestyle role models go hand in hand. It’s great for our families and friends. NikkenWellness nutrition makes eating right, easy.