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Kava kava: what is it, benefits and how to drink it

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Kava kava is a medicinal plant that is widely used in traditional medicine to treat cases of anxiety, agitation, or tension. Its scientific name is  Piper methysticum and it can be found in health food stores, online stores, and even in certain supermarkets.

This plant has some very important active substances known as kavalactones, which, according to some studies, apparently act in a very similar way to that of some anxiolytic drugs, regulating the action of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain.

In this way, kava can be an excellent natural treatment option for cases of anxiety and agitation, before opting for the use of drugs.

However, for it to be used correctly and in safe doses, its use must be guided by a naturopath, phytotherapist, nutritionist, or other health professional specializing in the use of medicinal plants.

How Kava kava works

The exact mechanism of action of this plant is not yet known, however, several studies indicate that the kavalactones in Kava kava have a function very similar to that of benzodiazepines, which are the main group of drugs used in the treatment of anxiety.

This means that the plant manages to bind to the brain receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA, improving their action.

As GABA is the main responsible for inhibiting the central nervous system, allowing the person to relax, feel less fear and be less anxious, this plant has a powerful calming effect.

Likewise, some studies indicate that Kava can be used in cases of seizures, since one of its kavalactones, kavain, has an antagonistic action on sodium channels, which generates the stabilization of the electrical activity of the neuron.

How to drink

The used parts of Kava kava are its rhizomes, which is where the highest concentration of its active substances is found. There are several ways to use this plant:

Supplement (capsules): this is the most effective form, as it uses a more concentrated extract of the active substances of the plant.

To use it in the form of a supplement, the ideal is to consult a phytotherapist; however, the generic dose indicated is normally 60 to 120 mg per day in the case of extracts with 50 to 70% concentration of kavalactones;

Tea: Kava rhizomes can also be used to make tea, however, in this way of using it is not possible to fully know what the concentration of active substances is.

However, it is recommended to place 1 tablespoon of Kava kava rhizomes in 500 mL of boiling water for 10 minutes.

Then, remove from the heat, strain, let it cool and drink 2 to 3 times a day or at times when you feel the most anxiety, for example.

Ideally, a phytotherapist or a health professional specialized in medicinal plants should always be consulted, since their use, dose, and treatment time may vary according to each person and their medical history.

Possible side effects

The main side effect of the use of Kava kava is the appearance of serious lesions in the liver.

However, the only studies done on this effect were carried out in people who also had other habits that could have affected liver function.

In this way, although the true effect of Kava on the liver is not yet known, it is recommended not to exceed the dose of 120 mg per day.

Contraindications

Kava kava is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women since there are no studies on its safety during these phases of life.

In addition, it should be avoided by those who suffer from liver diseases and those who are under treatment with antihypertensive drugs, at least without the indication of a health professional.

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10 shocking health benefits of rosemary tea

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Benefits of fasting for 24 hours

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Discover the benefits of fasting for 24 hours.

24-hour intermittent fasting is often recommended for weight loss, but also its many health benefits.

In this article, I detail the benefits of intermittent fasting, and particularly its practice over 24 hours. You will also be able to find my testimonial and my advice for a successful 24-hour intermittent fasting.

24hr Intermittent fasting to live longer in good health!

This sentence comes up constantly when one is interested in the subject. Simple fashion effect or real health interest? That’s the real question.

The objective of this practice is based on calorie restriction and resting the digestive system as a whole.

When we eat too much, binge, and get too much protein, our aging process is accelerated. Our body ages faster. To counter this effect, it is, therefore, necessary to fast. You boost your production of growth hormone, a hormone of youth.

In practice, it remains very complicated. It was Dr. Valter Longo who simplified the practice of intermittent fasting to reap all the health benefits. But in reality, is it effective?

The benefits of 24 hours intermittent fasting

Many scientific studies have highlighted the following health benefits of intermittent fasting:

• Promote weight loss, maintenance, lower bad cholesterol and increase well.

• Reduce cardiovascular and cancer risks.

• Regulate blood sugar by lowering insulin production and increasing fat metabolism.

• Lower the markers of inflammation ( responsible for the aging process ).

• Stimulate growth hormone production ( 2000% during 24-hour intermittent fasting ). This molecule helps you fight to age, tap into your fat and increase your muscle mass.

• Regulate hormonal disturbances after meals.

• Diversify the composition of the intestinal flora.

• Improve the quality of sleep.

It should be noted that these benefits are mainly found in a population that is overweight or obese, sedentary, or suffering from metabolic disease. The effects of intermittent fasting in healthy, physically active, or athletic people seem small to non-existent.

Intermittent fasting and weight loss

According to scientific research, intermittent fasting is effective for weight loss.

The main reason for the effectiveness of intermittent fasting on weight loss is calorie restriction.

Indeed, skipping one or more meals considerably reduces your food consumption. You then find yourself in an energy deficit, and your body has no choice but to draw on the stock of glycogen and fats to continue to function.

Practiced 1 to 2 times a week, over 3 to 24 weeks, intermittent fasting can lead to a weight loss of 3 to 8% of the initial weight, with a non-negligible share of abdominal fat (reduction in the circumference of cut).

However, over the long term, the evidence on the effectiveness of intermittent fasting remains very weak. We don’t know if, as with all low-calorie diets, it leads to a Yoyo effect and significant regain of lost pounds.

To lose weight permanently, mainly fat, while maintaining your muscle mass, it is advisable to combine a slight caloric restriction and the practice of sport regularly.

Need to lose weight permanently?

My Sport to lose weight program has already enabled hundreds of people to lose weight, improve their health and be in better shape! It includes sports sessions in videos, tools to calculate your fat loss, tips for starting running, recipes, and much more… It’s never too late to start the sport and lose weight for your health.

Opinion on the intermittent fasting 24h

So I wanted to get to the bottom of it and test this practice. To simplify things, Dr. Longo has been testing different protocols for several years. Simpler protocols to apply daily while maintaining the benefits. For people with a healthy lifestyle, practicing 24 hours a month is very effective.

So I fasted for 24 hours. The easiest way is to start after dinner. You eat dinner normally, then nothing until dinner the next day. Hydrate well. You can also consume tea, coffee, infusions but without sugar.

I was afraid of being too hungry, of being a wreck unable to move. And not at all. I did my intermittent fast one day back from vacation, in the car. I felt good, without a stroke. What a pleasure to sit down to eat in the evening, even if the goal is to eat normally and no more than usual.

I resumed the sport the next day with a big day ( 3h30 of cycling chained to 1h of jogging ). I felt good, I didn’t have any cravings. I even recovered better. I am full faster on the meals that follow. The results are very positive.

However, here are some tips to guide you:

• No sport on the day of intermittent fasting, or a short cardio session (30 minutes).

• Take care. Get out of your house, otherwise, the day will be too long to manage unless you have plenty of tasks to accomplish.

• Don’t throw yourself on the food when you eat again. Don’t say to yourself: “it’s good, I’ve done the hardest I can let go”.

• Remember to drink well ( 1.5 to 2 liters of water ) and take hot drinks for satiety.

Be careful if you have medical treatment, do not do it. I do not know the actions of this practice under these conditions. A drug does not have the same effect in these conditions, so check with your doctor.

I await your reactions after your tests. Intermittent fasting is increasingly practiced in the United States, to fight against junk food and diseases of civilization. Its health benefits are undeniable. Live old and above all live better!

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Benefits of hibiscus tea for skin

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