The Natural Pathway to More Energy

By Dr. Reginald B. Cherry, M.D., Christian Post Contributor Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Fatigue is one of the biggest problems of modern life. But God wants us to have the energy we need to accomplish what He has called us to do - and He has supplied us with the natural plant substances to have that energy.

Anyone looking to boost energy levels should first try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity (such as a brisk walk) five times per week; get at least eight hours of sleep every night; eat whole, unprocessed foods and avoid large amounts of fat and sugar; take steps to deal with stress; and include a high-quality multivitamin/mineral supplement every day.

But if your energy levels are still not up to par, consider taking a natural approach to help build your stamina. Many cultures around the world have identified unique herbal ingredients and other natural substances that help in dealing with fatigue.

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GINSENG
The most common supplement to enhance energy is ginseng. This herb has been used for centuries to reduce fatigue and improve stamina by enabling the body to produce energy more efficiently. This is important because the greatest benefit is not simply in stimulating the body but rather in improving the ability of the body to produce more energy.

Ginseng comes in several varieties, including American, Asian and Siberian – all of which differ slightly in how they work. American ginseng is similar to the Asian variety but doesn't produce some of the side effects of Asian ginseng, which can drive up blood pressure and cause heart palpitations.

Siberian ginseng – also known as Eleuthero – has been shown to increase resistance to stress, fatigue and illness.

GUARANA AND MATé
If you usually reach for a cup of coffee to jumpstart your day, you might want to try these very effective alternatives to caffeine. Guarana comes from northern Brazil and other South American areas. Maté (also known as yerba maté) is an extract from an evergreen tree that grows in Peru and Argentina. Both maté and guarana are consumed as beverages (as a tea) and in various other forms in their native countries to help relieve fatigue.

Guarana and maté can produce an immediate and noticeable increase in your energy level. These herbs are natural sources of caffeine, but tend not to produce the jittery-like effects of caffeine, nor caffeine dependency. And while coffee bean plants are often heavily sprayed with both herbicides and pesticides, and extensively modified through hybridization, this is not the case with maté and guarana.

RHODIOLA
The root of the rhodiola plant has been used for centuries by people in countries from Scandinavia to Siberia to help fight off fatigue and stay focused on repetitive tasks. This particular root extract has been shown to increase mental clarity and stamina, increase cardiac output and boost blood levels of beta-endorphin (a chemical produced by the pituitary gland that elevates mood, often associated with a "runner's high").

The Vikings used extracts of this plant during their long sea journeys. Even today in Tibet, a high mountainous plateau in the Himalayans, people rely on the rhodiola herb for increased stamina to help them endure their rigorous lifestyle.

Research done in western countries and in Russia indicates that rhodiola shortens the recovery time after physical exertion by increasing levels of ATP, a chemical produced by the body that provides cells with fuel. Typically, there is a more immediate effect with rhodiola than with ginseng.

CORDYCEPS
A mushroom known as cordyceps has long been used in China for increasing energy and athletic performance. In the United States, a study presented by the American College of Sports Medicine found significant increase in the oxygen uptake in tissues for those using cordyceps supplements. This has led to improved exercise capacity and resistance to fatigue in those taking this herb.

But it's not just athletes that benefit from cordyceps supplementation. Chinese studies of elderly patients with fatigue found that those receiving cordyceps noted significant improvement in their levels of fatigue, in memory function and, interestingly, in their ability to tolerate cold temperatures.

In medical literature, the effects of using cordyceps are consistently described as "increased energy, increased stamina and increased endurance."

TAURINE
One of the most popular ingredients found in energy supplements – and in most energy drinks on the market today – is the amino acid taurine. Taurine is essential for proper nerve function as well as for skeletal and cardiac muscle activity.

These herbs and nutrients that God has provided have all been combined in a safe, unique formula, Energy Support. Energy Support is most effective when taken with a nutritional foundation formula such asBasic Nutrient Support. Together, Basic Nutrient Support and Energy Support provide you with the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and special herbal extracts you need to feel energized and alive.

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