Target fat – can’t live with it, can’t live without it

Let’s face it, fat cells get a bad rap. If you’re trying to maintain your weight, they are the enemy. If you’re trying to put on the pounds, well, that’s a different story. Either way, we suggest you get to know more about them, so you can better understand how they work in your body.

Fat cells, also called adipose tissue, may make you cringe, but the body needs them. They store energy for when you need it later, they regulate body temperature and they release hormones that control metabolism. The important thing is to keep them in balance. You don’t want too many of them, because once you have them, they never go away!

Did you know?

  • Fat cells can grow up to 1000 times their original size.1
  • Fat cells are permanent. You can’t get rid of it; they can only decrease in size.2
  • Once a fat cell reaches its maximum capacity, the number stays consistent. New fat cells are made as old fat cells die off.2
  • During adulthood, about 8% of fat cells die every year only to be replaced by new ones.3
  • As newborns grow, their fat cells increase naturally just like other cells.3
  • Muscle is more dense than fat; fat is larger in volume.
  • 75 percent of persons who are obese in adolescence will likely be obese in adulthood, while only 10 percent of healthy weight children will become obese later in life.4
  • There are three kinds of fat cells: brown, white and subcutaneous. Brown fat helps with warmth and burns more fat; white fat stores energy and produces hormones; subcutaneous fat lives right under the skin.5

PURE has a variety of products to help you target your weight goals. 360 Complete Shake ican help you gain or lose weight. Add it to your daily food intake to increase calories. The protein, when combined with resistance exercise, can help increase muscle mass. Instead of adding calories from unhealthy sources high in sugar and void of nutritional content, 360 Complete Shake is an excellent source of high-quality protein packed with nutrients. 

Other products by PURE that can help with weight management include Daily Detox, Green Coffee Bean, HealthTrim Cleanse, Matcha Vegan Shake, Metabolic ONE, Mila, PURE Café, PURE Perk and SleepTrim.

One more thing to note is that essential fatty acids, things your body can’t make and are available only through the foods you eat or supplements you take, are used for many functions in the body. The brain is 60% fat6 and thus needs essential fatty acids to do its job. Mila is an excellent source of fatty acids, or omega-3s.

To learn more about these products, and others, please visit livepure.com where you can find product descriptions, ingredients and recommended usage.

 1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC302341/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC302341/

2 https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/fat-cell-numbers-teen-years-linger-lifetime

3 https://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2008/05/04/fat-cell-number-is-set-in-childhood-and-stays-constant-in-ad

4 https://iythealth.com/many-fat-cells/

5 https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-truth-about-fat#2

6 https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/prime-your-gray-cells/201109/the-skinny-brain-fats

Habits that sabotage your weight management goals

Do you feel like you’re making lifestyle changes, but not seeing the results you’d like? There could be many reasons why the scale won’t budge or your clothes aren’t fitting well.

Simple habits like not drinking enough water or not getting adequate sleep can throw off your best intentions. Read on for some common habits that could sabotage your health goals.

Skipping meals: A common misconception is that skipping meals saves calories. Studies suggest that skipping meals is linked to abdominal weight gain.1 People who end up skipping a meal may be already hungry and may not always reach for the healthiest option.

Some people may choose to replace a meal with either 360 Complete Shake or Matcha Vegan Shake. Each 160-calorie serving of 360 Complete Shake features proprietary Craving-Control Technology to help support weight loss. Matcha Vegan Shake is a lean plant-based protein shake that contains 180 calories per serving. Ceremonial matcha, sacha inchi and chlorella offer a nourishing, protein-rich, drink that helps support weight management and sustained energy.*

Try making this Summer Protein Shake for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Poor sleep habits: Sleep is essential for overall health. It allows your body to rest and repair itself. Poor sleep raises cortisol levels and affects hormones regulating hunger which can affect your ability to lose weight.2 Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night. SleepTrim sleep and weight-loss support is a combination of melatonin, herbs and a metabolic-boosting blend that help the body burn calories naturally while sleeping.*

Too many liquid calories: People who drink sugary beverages do not feel as full as if they had eaten the same calories from solid food.3 Calories from pre-made smoothies; coffee with cream and sugar; and sweetened sodas, teas and waters all contribute to weight gain. Consume liquid calories in moderation. Switch from calorie- and sugar-laden drinks to ENERGY drink mix which contains antioxidants, botanicals and natural sources of caffeine, or drink plain or fruit-infused water. If you choose juice, make sure its 100% fruit juice.

Not drinking enough water: Hydrating with water always does a body good. Drinking adequate water helps boost your metabolism, cleanses your body of waste and helps you feel full, which suppresses appetite.

Poor stress management: Healthy living and weight management are not only about a clean diet and exercise program. Chronic stress can undermine health and weight loss efforts. Stress affects your cortisol levels, blood pressure, heart rate, immune function, digestion and hormones and may lead to emotional eating.4 L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, combined with adaptogenic herbs in Metabolic ONE can produce a calming effect, helping to alleviate stress eating. In addition, the ingredients in Metabolic ONE help your body utilize insulin more effectively, helping to curb appetite.* Find different ways to manage stress such as taking walks, doing yoga, calling a friend or seeking support.

Opting for low-fat or fat-free foods: You really aren’t making healthier choices when you purchase these items. As manufacturers create low-fat versions of foods, they have to increase the amount of sugar in them so we still enjoy their taste.5 Manufacturers also add artificial flavoring and processed ingredients. Instead, focus on eating whole foods that contain healthy fats, like yogurt, salmon, raw nuts and avocados.

Check out some healthy recipes here.

Fueling up with energy bars or sports drinks: If you snack on these during exercise, know that many of them pack in the calories and added sugar and are not necessary. Instead, opt for any of our GPS sports performance products which provide energy and support before, during and after your workouts.

Try making these Complete Shake Protein Bars or Lemon Blast ENERGY Granola Bars, for a healthy, filling snack in between reps.

If you are trying to lose weight, and falling short, it’s time rethink your habits and incorporate some of the above tips. And, don’t be fooled if the numbers on the scale aren’t moving down. You may be likely losing inches, and gaining lean body mass, which is a move in the right direction!

 

1 https://news.osu.edu/news/2015/05/19/skipping-meals/

2 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sleep-and-weight-gain/faq-20058198

3 https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/sugary-drinks/

4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

5 https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/truth-about-low-fat-foods

Combat occasional constipation with cascara sagrada*

The herb cascara sagrada has a unique name and an equally unique purpose. It comes from the dried bark of the California buckthorn tree and means “sacred bark” in Spanish. Historically, the dried bark was used by Native Americans to make medicine.1

Today, the herb is used in supplements to help relieve occasional constipation. Some people use it as a “bitter tonic,” or tea. In foods and beverages, an extract of cascara is sometimes used as a flavoring agent.2

The bark of cascara contains phytochemicals called anthraquinones that stimulate the large intestine promoting movement of the bowel. These phytochemicals react with bacteria in the intestines causing muscle contractions that help move stool through the bowels.

Healthy bowels and weight loss

Detoxing the body is key to weight loss. Toxins enter the body from the environment, household products, stress, and more. These toxins are lipid soluble, meaning they are attracted to the lipids (or fats) in our cells where they stay for years and disrupt our daily functions. The good thing is that the body has ways to naturally eliminate these toxins through perspiration, urinating, and our bowels. This should give us all more reason to promote regular bowel movements.

HealthTrim® Cleanse by PURE

Cascara sagrada is the main ingredient in HealthTrim Cleanse — a vegan, non-fasting detox that gently and naturally eliminates toxins from the body. It is an all-natural, proprietary blend of herbs and botanicals formulated to provide gentle relief of occasional constipation.* It also promotes digestive health and weight loss and is one of the products in our Core 4 group of products that help set the stage for optimal wellness.

What is the difference between HealthTrim Cleanse Liquid and Capsule? Both are similar formulations and will act the same way when taken as directed. Both products boast an impressive list of ingredients and share many in common.

Ingredients in both: Cascara sagrada, milk thistle, artichoke, basil, cayenne, clove, dandelion, gentian, ginger, licorice, red clover, slippery elm, uva ursi

Ingredients in HealthTrim Cleanse Capsules only: Psyllium fiber, alfalfa grass juice, boldo, cat’s claw (an herb), corn silk, fennel, hawthorn berry, long pepper, mullein leaf, red raspberry, spearmint

Ingredients in HealthTrim Cleanse Liquid only: Aloe vera, cilantro, astragalus, black walnut hull, burdock, turmeric, garlic, green tea, oregano oil, wasabi, yellow dock

How is it taken? Every two months, HealthTrim Cleanse can be used in a 10-day cycle as needed for occasional constipation and elimination, unless you are under medical supervision. Take up to two servings a day for seven days. Starting on Day 4 and proceeding through Day 10, take Probiotic two servings twice daily on an empty stomach.

You may choose to take HealthTrim Cleanse Capsule or Liquid or a half dose of both.  Experimentation may help determine which product your body responds to the best. Each person may respond differently; therefore, be sure to monitor how you feel and work with your healthcare provider to adjust these recommendations as needed.

Add exercise, a diet that includes more fiber and more water to your regimen while also reducing stress, and you’ll be on your way to regular. For longer, more persistent constipation, please consult your healthcare provider.

1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhamnus_purshiana

2https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/773.html