Total Health Breakthroughs: Free Natural Health Newsletter and Alternative Health Articles

The US has become a “caffeine-dependent nation”. As if the traditional coffee, tea, and soft drinks were not enough, we have added caffeine to mints, gum, and a variety of “energy drinks.” These drinks happen to be enjoying tremendous sales not only in the US, but in other countries as well. So it caught my eye when Australian researchers recently reported that the energy drink, Red Bull, has the potential to increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.¹

The study conducted on college age adults found that Red Bull not only increased blood pressure, it increased the stickiness of blood cells — after consuming only one can of the drink. It is known that increasing the stickiness of blood cells means our blood will be more prone to forming clots, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. The authors of the study concluded that drinking Red Bull could be dangerous, especially for anyone who may already be predisposed to heart disease.

After the study was published, a spokesperson for Red Bull stated that these effects are similar to the changes found with drinking a cup of coffee, and so the long-term risks of energy drinks could not be determined from these results alone.²

It’s true that each can of Red Bull contains about 80 mg of caffeine, the amount typically found in one cup of brewed coffee. Caffeine is a stimulant, and in moderation it has been shown to have some benefits. For instance, it slightly increases the body’s rate of metabolism and enhances mental focus and clarity. However, in comparing coffee to energy drinks, are we really comparing apple to apples?

As many of my readers already know, my purpose and passion are to be on the cutting-edge of the finest ideas, practices, and connections in the area of health and wellness — and share what I have discovered with you.

For years, I have searched for tools that can help people to connect more fully and easily with the “life-force” energies that comprise the essential matrix in which human beings function.

A few weeks ago, Michael Storms, a 6th degree Karate black belt, decided to follow his dog’s daily stretching routine. “I had no idea before I started doing this,” Michael said. “But my dog stretches over a hundred times a day. I’m getting stronger and more flexible by the day just following what my dog [...]

Millions of Americans suffer from fatigue. Their energy levels are so low that they require a pot of coffee to crawl out of bed in the morning. When afternoon hits, they begin drinking sugary, caffeine-rich energy drinks to keep up at work. By evening, exhaustion sets in and they go straight to bed, only to repeat the same lethargic process the next day. It’s time for these energy-deprived people to realize that this isn’t how the body was meant to operate.

Your body can produce massive amounts of energy when it is given the right fuel. Once this happens, anything is possible! Your boundless energy will drive life’s most important accomplishments, thoughts, creations, and relationships. The world’s best athletes and business entrepreneurs understand this important fact. High levels of energy have driven their many achievements and gotten them to the top.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, summer has ended. Vacations are just memories and children are back in school. I hope that after a fun, rejuvenating summer, you are feeling relaxed and energized, ready to create the best fall yet! Let me propose a great exercise to add even more positive energy to your life this fall.

Take a page and divide it in half, length-wise. Label one side Energizers, the other side Energy Zappers. Look at your environment — your home, office, business, closets, yard, neighborhood etc. Write each item down under either energy zappers (the things that deplete your energy) or under energizers, things that give you energy. Yes, some things may be on both lists.