"Options for energy without drinking energy drinks because they make me bloated". This is a great question because it prompts several other questions to FULLY understand why / how to address this concern. This blog is options to think about; there may be supplements / practices / tests / topics / concerns I have left out, are unaware of, or have forgotten to include. Information and research changes over time - so continue to verify with your health care provider that this is progressive for you and is up to date with your goals. Follow Up Questions in Response: • What are you currently taking (coffee, other stimulants, brands of caffeine intake, other additives that may be causing issues)? • How often are you taking these products/total caffeine intake on a daily basis? • Why? Is there an underlying issue here; chronic daily fatigue, not sleeping well, feeling tired upon waking up, feeling overly exhausted in the afternoon, inactivity, overly stressed, low-cortisol levels, thyroid disfunction, micro-nutrient deficiencies, etc? • Are you fixing the problem at the root OR are you masking the symptoms to get by each day? *I will include some recommended options to help "get by" in the mean time OR on the days where you need a pick-me-up if you had a terrible night of sleep but need to be productive! *It can be extremely frustrating covering up long-term fatigue, feeling like you may never get your energy back or feel like "you" again without the use of stimulants. Even then, it may feel artificial and short lived - soon to be even more fatigued coming down from those supplementary options. Possible Root-Causes: *Many of these root causes also affect each other... that is why creating a "lifestyle" can help improve many factors all together! • Sleep-apnea / low-oxygen related issues (Disruption or poor quality sleep can HUGELY disrupt your hormones, metabolism and other organ function that may not be directly apparent). You may not realize you wake up often, are not getting enough oxygen, snore, environmental issues, not fully get into deeper sleep cycles, etc. Look into getting a "sleep-study" to determine if this could be an underlying cause that may be affecting your body's functions/processes. • GI (stomach) "issues" in the stomach microbiome, ability to correctly digest and uptake nutrients, "leaky gut" symptoms/toxic leakage into the bloodstream from inflammation / unhealthy bacterial environment. • Micronutrient deficiencies (breakdown + absorption in the GI track, supplementation, and/or variety of diet). • Under eating / Large Caloric Deficit / Metabolic stress. • Allergies / inflammation in the body and-or gut / histamine responses / suppressed immune system (environmental/food allergies, etc). • Over Eating / constant digestion / consuming the "wrong" foods for you / blood-sugar levels / highly processed, chemically modified foods/dyes/ingredients. • Over-stimulation / excessive caffeine intake / irregular cortisol production / depression/high stress levels / over worked- “burnout”. • Thyroid / Hormonal / Pre- post- Menopausal. • Cellular repair (autophagy process) / oxidative stress / cardiovascular health + circulation. • Major underlying issues - there is always the possibilty of something more drastic taking place in the body. Think about past medical experiences, family history, or other pre-conditions while discussing options with your health care provider. Supplements / Products: *(Consult with your healthcare provider before taking any of the following). • Stimulant Drinks: Energy drinks - (Highball, Reign, caffeinated tea- Yerba Mate, pure espresso shots, nuun energy). *Many of these can still cause disruption in the body. I would heavily limit consumption. Often the “additives” in these drinks can be problematic. • Stimulant Supplements: Nootropics! This is a good way of supplementing and supporting the brain functions through supplementation. Some nootropics are more "intense/awakening" than others: Caffeine, Ginseng, Triosine, L-Theanine, and other "Nootropic stimulant blends" in capsules or powder form can be a CLEANER alternative than buying a drink at the store. “Health conscious pre-workout powder”. *Look for NO additives, preservatives, dyes, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavoring. • Food Stimulant: Banana, Eggs, Berries, fatty fish, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, citrus fruits, dark chocolate. *Discuss if you are "under eating" or not getting the correct nutrients to support you through the day. • Supplement: (Circulation/Anti-inflammatory) L-Citruline, Tumeric, CoQ10, NAC, B12, D3+K2, Omega 3/6/9. • Supplement: (Oxidative Stress) C, E, Selenium, Beta Carotene found in high antioxidant foods through a balanced diet or supplementation if needed. • Action: Intermittent / Partial / Full Fasting: Make sure you consult your doctor and align your current medications, exercise regiment, supplements, and lifestyle before you fast! *This is a great way to help with cellular repair, enzyme production, and decreasing inflammation! • Action: Boosting Autophagy through physical exercise! Incorporate more consistent exercise and aerobic cardio into your weekly schedule. • Action: Incorporate electrolytes, micronutrient variation, SBO Pro-biotic regiment, consistent water consumption, and decrease inflammatory foods/drinks in diet to help repair and strengthen gut microbiome. • Test: (Bloodwork) Determine if you have low electrolyte levels / micro-nutrient imbalance (vitamin deficiencies). • Test: (Saliva Test) Determine if you have low or high cortisol levels at the incorrect times of the day. • Test: (Bloodwork) Getting a full blood panel is best to look closer at insulin levels, hormonal balances, metabolic changes, thyroid function, kidney/liver/heart issues, major underlying issues, etc. To reduce the risk of injury, before making any changes, etc. please consult a healthcare provider for appropriate exercise / nutrition / supplementation prescription and safety precautions. The exercise / nutrition / supplementation instruction and advice presented are in no way intended as a substitute for medical consultation and individualized guidance.