Coenzyme Q10

February is Heart Month. As you go about your day, you probably don’t think much about the organ that makes it all possible: your heart. It's your hardest working muscle and it pumps for you all day long, but still, there are a lot of habits in western society that put your heart health at risk. So take care of your heart. Show it some TLC. Small changes can make a difference for your overall heart health. February was chosen by the Heart and Stroke Foundation back in 1956 to be Heart Month in order "to put heart health on the public agenda, to empower researchers to turn the tide on heart disease, and to educate Canadians about their hearts."^2 In recognition of Heart and Stroke's efforts to raise awareness and spread the knowledge of heart health, here are some tips to help you maintain your heart health: Incorporate healthy fats into your diet It is difficult to drastically change your eating habits, but making small changes to gradually improve your heart health could make a difference. Start eating more healthy fats, these include essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) from foods like nuts and seeds or fish. You can also take an Omega 3 supplement, like Krill oil. Practice stress management Meditation and exercise can help combat stress. Try light stretching exercises like yoga, prayer, deep breathing, or art therapy. Check your family history Go for regular checkups. Monitor your blood pressure so that your checkups go smoothly. Keep your BP below 120.80 mm HG. Organika's Cholesterol Caps can help by reducing the reducing oxidative damage to blood cells, blood vessels and other circulatory organs. Get a good night’s sleep Aim to get 6-8 hours of sleep per night. Good sleep habits can play an important role in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.^3 Whether you move more, eat better, or sleep more, making just one small change at a time could help your heart maintain its strength and longevity over time. Once you get going, you'll find it pays off. Find out more about these other heart health related products: Coenzyme Q10 Red Yeast Rice Plus   References 1, 2 http://heartmonth.heartandstroke.ca/site/c.jhLOKYPDLqF/b.8330671/k.B026/Learn_more_about_Heart_Month.htm 3 http://www.heartandstroke.on.ca/site/c.pvI3IeNWJwE/b.5482901/k.C0B7/Insomnia_could_up_blood_pressure_Foundation_research_finds.htm

Energy is the foundation of everything we do, from powering our morning workouts to staying focused at work and being present with our loved ones. It's not just about staying awake; it’s about showing up fully, mentally and physically, every day.  Fun Facts About Energy:  The brain uses approximately 20% of your daily energy intake.  Mitochondria, often called the “powerhouses” of cells, convert food into usable energy.  Even mild dehydration can significantly reduce your energy and focus.  Common Energy Struggles  Most people experience:  Mid-day crashes  Brain fog or lack of focus  Feeling tired despite getting enough sleep    These challenges are often tied to:  Poor nutrition or inconsistent eating habits  Dehydration  Sedentary lifestyles  Vitamin or mineral deficiencies  High stress or poor sleep quality  It’s tough to fix low energy because the causes are usually multifactorial—requiring changes in sleep, diet, hydration, and daily activity all at once.  Tips to Boost and Maintain Energy (and keeping it for 21 days so it sticks)  Start with Movement: A 10-minute walk or stretch in the morning jumpstarts your energy.  Eat Balanced Meals Regularly: Include protein, fiber, and healthy fats every 3–4 hours.  Hydrate Often: Sip water throughout the day; add electrolytes to enhance absorption.  Schedule Power Breaks: Short movement or mindfulness breaks prevent burnout.  Sleep with Intention: Go to bed and wake up at consistent times for better recovery.   Support Your Energy Journey with Organika  Our gentle, effective supplements are designed to help you feel your best naturally. Try products from the curated Boost Energy Collection, including:    All Day Protein Hydrator – Hydrate, nourish, and energize with protein, collagen, and electrolytes  Advanced B-Complex – Vital for converting food into cellular energy.  Creatine – Supports energy production and muscle performance.  Cordyceps Organic Mushroom Extract – Enhances stamina and endurance.  Electrolytes Energy – Replenish minerals and boost hydration-based energy.   Energizing Workouts  Morning: 5–10 minutes of jumping jacks, dynamic stretches, or sun salutations.  Midday: Bodyweight circuit (squats, lunges, push-ups) or a brisk walk.  Evening: Light yoga or stretching to promote recovery and prepare for sleep.      Energy-Boosting Meals & Recipes  Eating well supports sustained energy:  Breakfast: Smoothie with banana, almond milk, spinach, and a scoop of protein  Lunch: Brown rice bowl with lean turkey, mixed greens, and avocado  Snack: Handful of trail mix or a boiled egg with carrot sticks  Hydration: Infused water with lemon and mint or an Organika electrolyte blend Energy is a habit—cultivate it daily and feel your best, all day long.    References  Lane, N. (2018). Mitonuclear match: Optimizing fitness and fertility over generations drives ageing within generations. BioEssays, 40(2), 1700158. https://doi.org/10.1002/bies.201800005 

It’s normal to feel tired once in a while, but exhaustion shouldn’t be a part of your everyday routine. If you’re in a constant state of low energy where even the simplest of tasks seem like a challenge, there could be more going on under the surface. There are a number of factors that contribute to low energy. Some are more serious, like chronic health conditions including diabetes, hypothyroidism or congestive heart failure. Others are more lifestyle related, such as deficiencies, diet, stress, or poor quality sleep. So let’s talk about low energy, and what could be causing it: Nutrient Deficiencies When it comes to nutrient deficiencies, B12 and iron are the common culprits linked to low energy. Iron plays an important role in forming red blood cells that carry oxygen from your lungs to the cells throughout your body. Without enough iron, your body struggles to get enough oxygen to your brain, tissues, and muscles leaving you feeling exhausted. Low iron or iron-deficiency anemia is most common in women. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can also cause low energy plus poor concentration and tingling in the hands and feet. B12 is found primarily in animal products including dairy, eggs and meats, so generally vegetarians and vegans are at a higher risk of deficiency. Stomach acid plays a major role in the absorption of vitamin B12, so older adults and those taking medications that affect stomach acid production can also be at higher risk of being low in B12. Poor Diet The foods you eat can have a massive impact on your energy levels. Take sugar for example, if you’re eating sugary foods, you blood sugar spikes, and you feel alert and energetic. Eventually, your blood sugar will drop again, and when that happens your energy levels drop with it. Maintaining balanced blood sugar levels is key to steady energy throughout the day. That means ditching sugary foods, and refined and processed foods that digest quickly, for slower digesting whole foods. Try adding high fiber fruits and vegetables, beans, complex carbohydrates and good quality fats and proteins. Too Much Stress When you experience stress your adrenal glands produce cortisol (your main stress hormone) to send you into fight or flight mode. This is a good thing in cases where there’s a threat that you need to escape from, or protect yourself from. But in reality, a lot of our day to day stressors don’t fall into that category. Fight or flight response sends blood to your extremities, so you can run faster or fight harder. What you can’t do however, is digest your food effectively, or sleep soundly when you’re in this state. Constant exposure to stress can lend to adrenal exhaustion, resulting in a higher cortisol release to lower levels of stress that otherwise wouldn’t trigger such a response. Too much cortisol in your body can affect your ability to sleep and leave you feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Lack of Quality Sleep Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, yet don’t even come close to that on a regular basis. A lack of sleep leaves you feeling irritable, moody and definitely low in energy. But sleeps not just a numbers game, the quality of your rest matter too. Getting uninterrupted sleep is ideal, but at minimum spending time in more restorative deep sleep cycles can help your body to feel more rested. Sleeping in complete darkness, cooler temperatures and a comfortable space with zero distractions can help to improve your sleep environment for better quality rest. If any of those causes sound like they could be contributing to your low energy, there’s good news. You can eat healthier, manage your stress and improve your sleep. The bad news however, is that sometimes making those healthy changes takes energy. So, it can all seem a little bit impossible when you’re already lacking energy right now. But that’s where superfoods really shine. Superfood Support for Low Energy Superfoods are nutrient dense foods that can help your body find balance. In cases of low energy maca root is a really great option. It comes from Peru, and was historically used to give energy to the Incans before battle. Today you can find it in powder form ready to throw into smoothies, soups or sauces. Maca root is an adaptogenic herb, which means it can help your body to adapt to stress. It’s rich in nutrients, like B vitamins and vitamin C (both of which your adrenals need for dealing with stress) and minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron (an important mineral for energy). Maca is also a rich source of antioxidants and phytonutrients, and even plant based protein. When you’re using maca, a gelatinized variety is more digestible. The more digestible the product, the easier it is for your body to absorb the nutrients and benefits of the root. Aside from its nutritional profile, maca helps to relieve anxiety and depression to support energy and mood balance. It also supports the endocrine system to help balance both female and male hormones improving fertility and boosting sexual libido. Using maca is a simple and healthy way to start feeling more energetic, so you can start making the changes you need to make for better long lasting energy every day.