https://youtu.be/mpySQ99ifEs Get out your pitchforks and get ready to get angry because it’s time to talk about iodine. I’m joking (mostly)… But we actually do need to talk about iodine. I’m not sure what it
Are Girl Scout cookies healthy? Read a natural mom's review for an honest assessment. Make informed snack choices today!
Read on as we explore the controversial topic of cat declawing, including ethical concerns, potential health risks and humane alternatives. Learn more!
Us natural living bloggers, we like to live on the fringe and promote things that are outside of the norm. Yet even in our niche, there are certain topics that are hard to write about and can be controversial. Certain topics that can be embarrassing or difficult to write about or that people don’t like …
In Beyond Science, Epoch Times explores research and accounts related to phenomena and theories that challenge our current knowledge. We delve into ideas that stimulate the imagination and open up new possibilities. Share your thoughts with us on these so…
Research shows that probiotics help avoid diarrhea after antibiotics - AND rebuild the gut and immune system after the prescription! Weeks, months...how long do you need to get fixed up?
Working out on an empty stomach, or ‘fasted cardio’, may work for some people, but it isn’t for everyone. A common question I get asked is whether intermittent fasting might help them you results faster. For anyone who has tried intermittent fasting, you’ve probably done a cardio workout on an empty stomach, and you might already have an opinion about it! Find Out: What Is Fasted Cardio? When To Workout On An Empty Stomach Pros & Cons of Fasted Cardio How Does Our Body Burn Fat Should I Do Fasted Cardio? To help you to decide if you want to try fasted cardio, here are the pros and cons of working out in a fasted state, and whether fasting can make your cardio more effective. What is fasted cardio? Fasted cardio is exercise that you do when your body is in a fasted state. You enter a ‘fasted state’ when your body is no longer processing food, around 3-6 hours after eating. When you do fasted cardio, you are working out on an empty stomach. Your levels of insulin (the hormone that is produced in the body when you eat) are low or at your baseline level. When insulin levels are low, there isn’t readily available energy in the form of glucose in your bloodstream. When you do fasted cardio, your body must rely on stored energy such as glycogen and fat to fuel muscle movement. Fasted cardio doesn’t just have to be done first thing, it can be done at any time of day when your body is in a fasted state. When to workout on an empty stomach For anyone who finds that the best time of day to work out is first thing in the morning, it’s likely that you do your workout before breakfast! Whether you are doing cardio or weights training, you probably want to know whether working out on an empty stomach can get you faster results or lose fat faster. Some of us can eat before a workout and feel amazing, whereas others might feel nauseous or uncomfortable when they work out after eating. Let’s take a look at why you might consider trying fasted cardio. Pros and cons of fasted workouts There are both cons and benefits to working out on an empty stomach. Benefits of fasted cardio Fasted cardio is sometimes recommended to improve fat oxidation (fat-burning), encouraging your body to rely on stored energy, rather than energy from recently digested food, as fuel. Your blood glucose and glycogen, a carbohydrate in the muscles, is often depleted after sleep. When there is less energy available in the bloodstream from a recent meal, your body may burn more fat during exercise. Here’s what happens in your body when you workout on an empty stomach: Adipose cells are broken down (lipolysis) Fat released from cells is burned as fuel Increase in the hormones that encourage the use of energy stored as fat Increased blood flow to the abdomen Facilitation of breakdown of adipose tissue stored around the abdomen. So you can see that fasted cardio potentially has benefits when your goal is to shift stubborn fat. When fasted cardio isn’t best If your blood glucose and glycogen are completely depleted then this can sometimes result in muscle tissue being used up for energy. This is something we DO NOT want, as muscle is what gives you definition, shape and tone! Usually, if you were at this stage, you wouldn’t be feeling that great either. However, this situation would be an extreme one — most of us have a meal a few hours before getting to sleep and with the busy lives we lead, we may not always get the recommended 8 hours of sleep. This means that the likelihood of completely depleting your blood glucose and glycogen stores while sleeping is pretty slim. While some people may find they still have sufficient energy to workout when fasted, others might feel too depleted. In this case, attempting to work out fasted might not be the best idea. Instead, try having a light pre-workout snack. A post shared by (@kayla_itsines) on When you should eat before a workout If you are doing a high-intensity workout, it can help to have a light snack first. Having a snack before you exercise can also mean you’ll be less likely to overeat after your workout! As a general rule, I don't recommend having a large meal within an hour of starting your workout. If you are hungry, try eating a piece of fruit or a few nuts! These foods are easy to digest, and then you can have a larger meal or snack after your workout. If you are a night owl who prefers to train after dinner, allow a couple of hours for digestion, or break your evening meal into two smaller meals, before and after your workout. How does our body burn fat? Fat is stored in special tissue called adipose tissue, in various locations throughout the body. In order for fat to be burned (i.e. used for energy), it must first be released from the adipose tissue. To do this, a process called ‘lipolysis’ causes fat to be converted to triglycerides and released into the bloodstream. This process is kickstarted in the first few minutes of your workout! Once the fatty acids (triglycerides) are in your bloodstream, they are delivered to your muscles, where they will be oxidised (burned) for energy. The important thing to remember is that oxygen MUST be present in order for fat to be broken down. Lipolysis is not the step that determines your body’s fat-burning ability. Rather, it’s how much oxygen is available to turn fat into useable energy. This means that to effectively burn fat during fasted cardio, there needs to be plenty of oxygen available. What type of exercise is best on an empty stomach? Aerobic exercise like low-intensity cardio (that’s LISS for those following my programs in the Sweat app) is better for burning fat. This is because when you exercise at a high intensity, there isn’t enough oxygen present to metabolise stored energy, and your body uses an alternative ‘anaerobic’ energy production process that doesn’t require oxygen. Should I do fasted cardio? To get the most out of your workouts, you should do whatever feels best for you. Whether this means eating a pre-workout snack to give you the motivation and energy for exercise or exercising on an empty stomach, when you do what feels best, you’ll be more likely to train consistently! At the end of the day, training done consistently is going to give you better results than whether you eat before a workout or not. Something you should be aware of is that if you’ve eaten a large meal before your workout, a portion of your blood is potentially being diverted away from your working muscles to the digestive system to help process your food. As a result of this, there is less oxygen available to your muscles. You might feel sluggish and your body’s fat-burning capacity could be reduced. Try fasted cardio and see if it works for you! At the end of the day, no amount of ‘fitness hacks’ like fasted cardio can get you the results that you will get if you simply train consistently over time and follow a healthy lifestyle! Lasting results need to be sustainable over time and form a natural part of your life. Some people love fasted cardio and they find it is the best way for them to train. However, if you need to have a snack in order to find the motivation to workout, go for it! This isn’t going to stop you from reaching your goals faster if it’s what works best for you. Do you prefer to have a snack first or workout on an empty stomach? Let me know in the comments below!
About The Ultimate Guide to Your Genes Discover everything you need to know about your genes, how they affect your health and the future of genetics. Each life form on this planet has a unique genetic code – DNA – whose structure was first identified 65 years ago. Now geneticists are using DNA to improve our health, eliminate hunger and even bring back animals from the dead… In this issue are In-depth articles on… -Genetics: explaining the basics of DNA and genes -DIY ancestry tests and personalised medicine -The controversial topics of GM foods and biohacking -The future of cloning and designer babies
Detox may be a controversial topic, but it is not necessarily harmful. Learn about a gentler, nutrition-based approach to detoxification.
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Fluoride is one of the most controversial and hotly debated topics in dental health today. While some proponents claim that fluoride is a safe and effective way to prevent cavities, others assert that it is a toxic substance with no place in our water or dental products.
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With amazing, health-promoting benefits for your hormones and cycle, this is the BEST Period Drink EVER! This Pineapple Carrot Turmeric Spritzer is an anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving period elixir that's perfect to drink when you have PMS or during the first couple of days of your cycle.
Cancer, Dairy and rbGH - Dr. Kevin Conners recommends that modern dairy products be eliminated from diets of cancer patients
What's the difference between collagen and gelatin? Should you use both? In what different ways can they be used for health benefits and in cooking? How to find quality collagen and gelatin? This post answers all that and more!
DIM (diindolylmethane - naturally derived from Brassica vegetables) is a supplement used for hormone balancing. Often caused by hormonal imbalances, insomnia can be relieved by DIM + lifestyle choices.
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Everyone wants a quick fix when it comes to their health and wellness...well it doesn't get much quicker than this! Dry brushing takes just 5 minutes a day.
This Aquatic Greens Lemonade is a tasty, sugar-free way to support and gently detoxify your liver from heavy metals, pesticides, and toxins with 2 of nature's most beautiful superfoods: spirulina and chlorella! It's a Chlorella and Spirulina Liver Support Drink with just 4 ingredients!
Geniuses are getting brighter. And at genius levels of IQ, girls are not as far behind boys as they used to be
Not sure if switching to only organic wheat products is worth it? These are the reasons why you should make the change immediately.
We do not shy away from controversy around here and 2014 wasn't short of them. Some of the stories sparked massive debate, some made us a little angry, some were embarrassing and some made us proud. Sometimes it isn't easy to share an unbiased opinion because you want to always remain positive but at the same time you want to show a little back bone and stand up for something even if you are a lone ranger on your opinion. We thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of the most controversial topics we covered
Switch processed white sugar for natural sweeteners. The answers to all your alternative sweetener questions right here in 1 place!
Tired of eating lunch and taking a nosedive right after? Here's why lunch can lead to an afternoon slump, plus some tips to avoid the slump completely and keep your energy running high.
Your child’s Maxi Mind Brain Training Course is designed to be effective on its own. But if good is good… better it better! One of our supplemental strategies to help your child get the most out of his or her Maxi Mind Experience is Family Dynamics. Here are some additional tips (in no special order) that clients and/or professionals have found effective
Past research on artificial sweeteners has always been lacking, until now. Are artificial sweeteners healthy? Read on for updated data.
You should avoid discussing these 6 topics at work. They include personal or controversial subjects that can make your relationships with coworkers awkward.
Why Stevia is Bad for You: Liver, Kidney, Gut, Immune and Blood Health is an updated post that shares why I now believe stevia to be bad for everyone, no matter how it's used, whereas formerly I considered it safe if used in certain ways.
Prebiotics vs probiotics? Here's how to get prebiotics in your food and what prebiotic supplements are the best!
Join me for a photo tour of our modern Finnish sauna on our Northeastern Minnesota property! You'll learn about the history of Finnish sauna, how we repaired ours after a devastating fire, how we take saunas (yes, we go in naked!), and the 7 health benefits of Finnish sauna.
This is a great way to get more out of your freshly harvested elderberries. You will get delicious elderberry poached pears and an elderberry syrup to serve alongside or to keep for immune boosting throught the season!
Just in case the holiday buffet table + pie overload + your favorite relatives = indigestion, heartburn, gas, bloating, or a stomachache, here are 4 effective and natural ways to get relief quickly and naturally! These include peppermint essential oil (topically and/or internally), raw apple cider vinegar, digestive enzymes, and activated charcoal in case of food poisoning.
How does keto affect hormonal disorders like diabetes, thyroid issues, PCOS and PMS? Get the important facts & learn the latest safety information.
Heartburn in pregnancy is super common due to hormonal changes that affect the digestive system and pressure from your pregnant stomach.
Our teens spend most of their days away from us, so we don't have control over what they eat 100% of the time. In addition to providing nourishing meals at home, you can also use quality supplements to support your teenager's health! Learn the best supplements for teens that support healthy skin, growth, and immunity!
