6 Reasons Why Coffee Can Help You Live Longer!

Coffee can sometimes get a bad wrap. Drinking too much can be problematic, however, too much of anything is bad for us. That's why it's deemed "too much". Coffee, without the addition of dairy and sugar, actually has some pretty good health claims behind it that are backed by research. Check out these 6 things coffee does to make you live a healthier life!

1. Coffee boosts brain power!

Caffeine (in moderation) can actually be quite useful when used correctly. It can enhance brain function and improve memory! We all know caffeine is a stimulant, so I'm sure the energy boost is no surprise. Depending on how quickly your body can metabolize caffeine, some people may notice caffeine has a stronger affect on them than others. 

Caffeine acts as an antagonist to the neurotransmitter Adenosine. Adenosine is known for promoting sleep and surprising arousal. Caffeine blocks this action, causing you the be alert and focused and has been shown to improve memory, cognitive function and reaction times!

2. Coffee can help you burn fat!

Caffeine is the reason behind this one as well. Studies have shown that consuming the appropriate dose of caffeine before exercise can actually shift the body to metabolize fat as a preference over carbohydrates. This can sometimes get a bit blown out of proportion in some weight loss supplements, so watch out for this little fact! It seems to be very dose dependant and unique to the individual, and it also tends to work best after the 90 minutes of exercise mark! 

3. Coffee can improve your athletic performance!

Another point for caffeine! That shift in metabolism that helps you burn more fat will also increase performance in endurance type sports or events. Again, it is important to remember that the majority of this effect comes into play only after the 90 minute point. 

It can also help in the short term and is often a popular choice in pre-workout weight lifting supplements. Short term, caffeine can reduce the perception of pain and make it a little bit easier to push yourself just a little more, which can make all the difference in close competition. 

4. Coffee can protect the liver!

Now it is true that caffeine is broken down and processed by the liver, so you'll often find coffee on the avoidance list when approaching things like a detoxification program. The liver is an incredible organ with many responsibilities, so for the purpose of detoxification, avoiding caffeine takes away one more job so the liver can work on detoxifying the rest of the body. So detoxification protocols aside, coffee has actually been shown to be very protective of the liver. In fact, people who drink 4 or more cups of coffee a day (avoiding the sugars and dairy) have up to an 80% decreased risk for developing cirrhosis! 

5. Coffee can make you more happy!

Aside from that smile that creeps across your face and the joy in your soul that occurs when you smell a fresh cup of coffee, there are studies that show a correlation between lower rates of depression in people who drink 4 or more cups of coffee per day. That 4 cup a day mark seems to be the magic number here.

6. Coffee is rich in antioxidants!

This may come as a surprise to some of you, it definitely did to me, but coffee is actually a pretty great source of antioxidants. In fact, for most people who eat the Standard American Diet (SAD), coffee is likely the greatest contributor of antioxidants, trumping both fruits and vegetables. Coffee is definitely a rich source of these ever so important antioxidants, but the fact that a Standard American Diet is so deficient in other sources is concerning as well. That aside, coffee can most definitely be a healthy way to start your day! 

There we have it, coffee is pretty great. As long as you are skipping out on the massive amounts of sugar and dairy, you can reap in all the rewards that coffee has to offer. Not all coffee is created equal though so try your best to be drinking more locally roasted beans so freshness is preserved and mold is kept to a minimum. Some beans I personally love can be found on my "Guide to Supercharging your Day" post, as well as some tips to make your coffee work even harder for you first thing in the morning. Check it out and let me know what you think!


Dr. Rob Raponi ND, CISSN, B.Kine(Hons)

www.msknaturopathic.com

Lose weight and keep it off! Here are 7 tips to achieve successful weight loss

Weight loss can be a tricky thing to accomplish. Many individuals will struggle with weight throughout their lives and it can become a health concern if left unchecked. We often don't even notice the 1-2 pounds per year, but these pounds add up. It is very important however, to understand that the media plays a large role in creating an unrealistic "ideal body" and having perfect abs and the tightest glutes around are not always the goal.

That being said, with the warmer weather around the corner, here are a few tips to cut down on those few extra pounds we didn't intend to gain over the cold and dark winter season...

1) Start your day with a Metabolic Boost!

Begin every morning with a nice glass of room temperature water with half a lemon squeezed into it. This acts to jump start your metabolism and is commonly used in many detox programs as well. Getting those calories burning after they had to slow down while you slept will impact how many calories you burn during the day even if you decide to not do anything else for weight loss!

2) Get Moving! Exercise!

Now I don't mean you have to join a gym and commit to going for 3 hours a day 7 days a week. If you're a beginner, try to walk a few extra minutes a day, take the stairs instead of the elevator (just a few floors will do!), pretend you drive a $300,000 sports car and park that beautiful thing just a bit further then all the other cars when you go to the mall or grocery store. Whatever you can add to your daily routine will impact your overall success. Do remember this though, the more muscle mass you put on, the easier the weight will be to lose and keep lost. Muscle costs your body more calories to maintain than fat does. Add resistance training to your routine to really boost those results!

If you're already a regular gym goer, there are still a few things you can do to really boost that fat loss! Let's be honest, straight up cardio can really suck. No need to worry though! It is not the only option! High intensity interval training (HIIT) is a combination of highly intense bouts of exercise followed by recovery periods that still require some movement. Not only are these exercises more fun, but in the same amount of time (or even less!), the body will burn more calories than it would with constant, moderate intensity cardio. It will even continue to burn fat long after you've stopped exercising as well!

Lastly, for those of you out there who are really keen, try adding a 4-5 minute finisher to the end of your routine. If you aren't familiar with the term, check out an example here. This stuff will really melt the fat off your body!

3) Get rid of refined carbohydrates!

I'm not trying to say you have to cut out all carbs in order to lose weight, but I do strongly recommend getting rid of any grain that starts with the word "white". Instead, make the switch to whole wheat/grain, wild or brown rice, and swap out white potatoes with sweet potatoes. These complex carbohydrates are slower digesting which means you'll stay full longer and your body has to work harder to break them down. Working harder means raising that metabolism once again and all you've done is add some color to your diet.
This does also mean cut out the sugar! Sugar is the enemy and it's hiding in almost anything you don't make for yourself. Sugar is super easy to break down and use as energy, which means anything else you eat in that meal is super easy for your body to store and save for later as fat! Get rid of the sugar and watch the fat melt away!

4) Do not starve yourself!

This one is really important. Starvation diets are the absolute worst thing you can do to lose weight! Aside from not obtaining enough essential nutrients, you will actually hold on to more weight than you might expect. Your metabolism slows down in starvation states to preserve energy, holding on to weight in order to keep you alive. Not effective for healthy weight loss!
Instead, use a simple online calculator to estimate your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). This is the amount of calories you will burn if you lay in bed all day and did nothing. NEVER drop your calories below this number! As a general rule, any diet under 1500 calories per day should be avoided. To lose weight successfully, focus on increasing metabolism through dietary choices and exercise and avoid doing things that will slow it down.


5) Set SMART Goals!

Be Specific - "I want to lose weight" is not specific. Instead pick a number or a dress/pant size that you hope to accomplish by the end of your goal.

Measure - Have a unit to track your goal in. Weight can fluctuate as you lose fat and put on muscle. It isn't really a great unit to track your progress. Try evaluating yourself by tracking how many notches on your belt you can tighten or your pant/dress sizes. If you have access, track your body fat percentage too!

Attainable - Make sure the goal you set is realistic. Don't set yourself up for failure by saying you want to lose 20% body fat when you're only at 26% to begin with. Make the goal 1 belt notch at a time and congratulate yourself when you're successful.

Relevant - Is losing weight something you actually want to do? Why? Make sure that if you decide to start on a weight loss journey it's because it's important to you and no one else.

Timely - We all know without deadlines nothing gets done. Procrastination is just so easy! Weight loss is no different! Set an end date. Whether that is your next birthday, New Years, or by the end of the month, make sure to give yourself an end date but always refer back to "A" , ensuring your goal is realistic and attainable.


6) Slow and steady wins the race!

Weight loss should never occur suddenly and rapidly. It is and should be a slow process. This is the best way to ensure success. Aim for no more than 2 pounds per week as an average. Some weeks you may notice that you've lost more than this, others may be under or stagnant. There's no need to measure weekly or even daily, instead take a look monthly as an overall average and make sure weight is not being lost too quickly. Dropping pounds too fast may mean you are limiting your calories by too much and this can lead to more problems down the road. A small deficit of 500 calories per day will be the equivalent of 1 pound of weight loss per week (3500 calories = 1 lb of fat).

7) Stress management!

This is my final tip and it is not spoken about often enough, however it can be that lingering factor affecting so many people who struggle to shed those last few pounds. This is especially true for belly fat in particular. Stress, more specifically cortisol production, can lead to abdominal fat deposits that just won't go away. Diet and exercise can have positive impacts, but if you don't take the time to slow down and breathe each day, that belly fat will be there to stay! So set aside a few minutes each day to meditate, breathe, relax, color, read or whatever it is you do to unwind. Simply making time for yourself can help you achieve those SMART goals you've set!


There it is, my top 6 ways to lose weight healthfully and effectively. Try it out for yourself and let me know how it works for you!

Rob Raponi
B.Kine, CISSN, Naturopathic Intern
www.msknaturopathic.com

High Protein, Low Carb Muffin Recipe

I was supposed to working on some assignments today so instead I decided to make a Keto friendly snack because... well you can't get much done when you're hungry, right? Procrastination baking commence! Full disclosure, I wasn't expecting much out of these muffins but they came out tasting great! So I'll share the recipe with you guys and you can try them for yourself.

I went for a chocolate, vanilla, almond crunch flavour but you can choose to play with the tastes as you wish. So what's in them?

4 nice big scoops of protein powder (I use a Whey isolate that is sweetened with vanilla and stevia)

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt (I would maybe add 2 next time)

2 tsp cinnamon (why not?)

2 tsp Xylitol

3 whole eggs

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

300ml unsweetened coconut milk

As many nuts or seeds as you want - tip: add them after you've put the batter into a muffin tray so they can be more evenly distributed

Preheat that oven to 350F and after coating the muffin tray with some non stick spray, pour that mixed up batter in and let these protein packed snacks bake for around 18 minutes and bam! Low carb, high protein, great tasting, keto maintaining snacks for a week! Try them out! 

For even more fatty goodness, try cutting one open after they're freshly baked and melting some butter on the insides before indulging!

Here is the nutritional content of each muffin:

Calories: 140cals

Protein: 14g

*Net carbs: 2g

Fat: 8g 

*Net carbs = Total carbs - fiber

Nutrition calculations do not account for additional nuts or butter.

Rob Raponi, CISSN, B.Kine,
Naturopathic Intern
www.msknaturopathic.com

Guest Blog: Workout Circuit @ The Playground - Michelle Jackson, BMSc. (Hons), Clinic Intern

So I was invited to team up with some colleagues to come up with an easy and fun way to exercise at the park. The weather is still nice out and gym memberships are expensive. Finding a close by park can be a great way to get fit and stay active. Check out the exercise routine we came up with and give it a try!

Do you ever get bored of your work-out routine? I definitely do. That's why this week, I reached out to friends and colleagues, Rob and Ryan, and asked (very nicely) if they could put me through the ropes.

I chose the playground location mainly as an excuse to spend more time outside, but it also allows for functional types of exercise that challenge muscles in a different way compared to using machines at the gym. It also felt more like play than exercise.

These guys definitely know their stuff when it comes to exercise (see their bios below). This circuit that they created is fun and challenging. Head to the playground and give it a go! 

Playground Circuit: Repeat 2-3x. Take 10sec of rest between each exercise. 

Start with a 2 min light warm up - jumping jacks, high knees, butt kicks, and/or running on the spot. 

 1. Monkey Bar Pull-ups or Chin-ups 

|10-15 reps|

Pull-ups: Rob's grip (back of hands facing self)

Chin-ups: My grip (palm of hands facing self) 

Ryan's tip for beginners: If too difficult, begin by using platform on monkey bars (or get a boost from a spotter) and start in the top position of the chin up/pull up (as shown in                                                                                                        picture). Slowly lower yourself down with                                                                                                            control and repeat. 

2. Lunges    |10-15 reps each leg |

Tip: Don't let your forward knee go past your toes. 

3. Plank high-fives    |20 each side|

If by yourself, extend each arm out, one at a time, holding each for 1-2sec. 

Tip: Try to keep your body as straight as possible without rocking side to side.

(note Ryan's form!) 

4. Pole Climb - Up and down   |1-2 reps |

A.  Try using only your upper body to climb up and down, like Rob. (Trust me, easier said than done.)        

B. Using mostly your upper body, squeeze legs around the pole for added assistance. (My strategy) 

Tip: Unlike Rob, I started off with a little jump, so the momentum gave me a boost vs. just pulling myself up from the ground.

5. Push ups    |10-15 reps|

Keep your feet on an elevated platform (not pictured) for an extra challenge. 

Tip: Keep elbows tucked into sides to isolate more of your triceps. Pointing your elbows outwards will engage other muscles, like your pecs. 

6. Jump Squats     |15-20 reps|

Starting on the ground, jump up and land on a step or elevated platform. Step down and repeat. 

Tip: Try to land so that your knees don't go past your toes. 

For an added challenge, jump down into a squat vs. just stepping off. 

 7. Swing extension     |10 reps| 

This one is a major ab burner!

Fully extend body and hold for 1 sec before returning to starting position. 

Tip: The further you initially stand from the swing, the further you extend and the harder this exercise becomes.  

You can do this on your knees as a                                                                                                                        modification, but you may want a towel to                                                                                                          kneel on (the gravel in the sand really hurts!) 

That's 1 set! When you're finished, don't forget to stretch :)

More about the author:

Michelle Jackson is an intern at RSNC and BNTC. She is on the fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue focus shift and has a strong interest in fatigue and pain management. Check out her blog and website where she and 4 other interns post weekly articles and bi-weekly recipes! http://www.wholeandholistic.com

More about Ryan:

Ryan has experience in high performance sport, playing for both Toronto FC and the University of Toronto while studying Kinesiology. He went on to receive his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) designation from the NSCA and is currently working with clients at Physiomed Roytec. Check out his blog too! http://naturopathywithryan.blogspot.ca


Rob Raponi, CISSN, B.Kine,
Naturopathic Intern
www.msknaturopathic.com

Diets 101: Intermittent Fasting

Okay, so maybe this first entry isn't exactly a diet, however it is a great place to start if you're someone who wants to make lifestyle changes that can alter the way you think and act with regards to food.

Enter Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting (IF) can be accomplished in a few different ways but the beauty of this dietary practice is in it's simplicity. There is no fancy food list to follow, no complicated recipes to cook up, and no consumption of time to do it... in fact, it gives you more free time in the day. All you need to do is not eat. No meal prep, no cook time, nothing complicated, just do no eat anything for a period of time. I'll admit that this doesn't sound too great, but I promise it gets better, just stick with me.

How long and how often you decide to fast is totally up to you and your comfort level with going for extended periods of time with no food.

The first method is fasting on alternate days. One day you eat, one day you don't. This method sounds a bit extreme to me personally and I don't know how realistic it would be to follow long term.

Another method is the 8 hour eating period per day. You basically allow yourself an 8 hour period each day where you are allowed to consume food, and once that time is up you fast for 16 hours until you've reached your next 8 hour period. An example of this would be only allowing yourself to eat between the hours of 10am-6pm each day. This method could be easier for some, and many people may actually already be doing this without knowing when they skip breakfast and don't eat until noon (mind you, coffee with a bunch of sugar and milk first thing in the morning is not consistent with IF!).

The final method may be the easiest of the three and will still offer tremendous benefits. The one day fast is all about selecting a day of the week where you will choose not to eat for a certain period of time. I like to aim for 18 hours, but this can range from 14-24 hours in length.

**During these times of fasting it is important and helpful to remember that you can drink as much water or tea as you desire. Coffee is acceptable as well as long as no sugars, milks or creams are added!

These all seem like very long times to go without food, but the trick is to time it out properly so that you hardly notice you've fasted. Let's say one night you finish dinner by 6pm and choose to begin your fast from this point on. You're in bed by 11pm and wake up for 7am the next day. At this point you've already made it 13 hours without having to do much at all. If you can just make it until noon you will have reached that 18 hour time and can start eating once again. And remember, this would only be one time a week. What is very important to remember when breaking the fast though, is to eat like you normally would at the time at which you decide to end it. The first few times you do this you will be very hungry and it will be extremely tempting to just eat everything you can get your hands on but you should just return back to eating normally. Have lunch if it's lunch time or a snack if you're somewhere in between meals, just remember to eat slowly and allow yourself some time to digest so that your brain can recognize that your stomach has received some food and you can avoid going overboard.

At this point you may be asking yourself, "But why?", and I do have reasons to back this up. IF has been shown to reduce oxidative damage and inflammation, protect cells from damage, and optimize energy metabolism. With that comes it's studied effects in chronic degenerative and inflammatory diseases. It's even been shown to reduce signals in the body that are associated with aging! There are proven studies on how IF is even being used in mood disorders with promising results. It's also a simple and effective way to lessen the calorie load for the day and makes maintaining weight that much easier.

The point about affecting moods is an intriguing one for me. My first attempt at IF was an interesting experience. I can tell you with confidence that my mood was not affected in a very positive way initially. At first, all I could do was think about food and fantasize about when I would be able to eat again. Following that came the fatigue which was quickly replaced by irritability. My first attempt at IF was definitely a mental battle, but after having made it through 18 hours without food I noticed a change in myself. I quickly realized how much of an affect food had on me. It seemed for a while that food was in charge, food dictated what I should be doing or how I should be feeling and this for me was the most positive outcome of beginning a weekly IF routine. Willingly being able to withhold yourself from food can change your relationship with it. You really start to be able to tell the difference between when you're actually hungry versus when you're just bored or giving in to cravings. All the scientific evidence aside, this is what I believe to be the most powerful outcome of challenging yourself to fast. You can begin to take control of your health through understanding the dynamic between yourself and what you are eating. You can control cravings and eat for healthy pleasure and not just indulge on pleasure alone. This is why I chose to start my diet series here, with a post about something that isn't quite a diet, but is a great stepping stone to making healthier lifestyle changes that will last and not simply be the next fad.

To summarize, IF is a great practice for your mind and body. Yes, you will be reducing calories because you are not eating so weight maintenance or loss is made easier from that point of view. There will be benefits in terms of decreased inflammation, decreased oxidative damage, improved insulin control and slowing of aging but most of all your relationship with food will change. It's not going to feel great at first, but each time you do it, it will get easier and easier. I challenge you to try it out for yourselves. Start with a shorter fast the first time and build from there. Once a week is my preferred method, but choose one that you think would work best for you. Just remember to consult with your doctor before beginning, especially if you have any illnesses that may affect your bodies ability to fast safely.

Rob Raponi, CISSN, B.Kine,
Naturopathic Intern
www.msknaturopathic.com

Below are some references for those interested in reading more:

1. Longo, Valter D., and Mark P. Mattson. "Fasting: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications." Cell metabolism 19.2 (2014): 181-192.

2. Michalsen, Andreas, and Chenying Li. "Fasting therapy for treating and preventing disease-current state of evidence." Forschende Komplementärmedizin/Research in Complementary Medicine 20.6 (2013): 444-453.

3. Hussin, N. M., et al. "Efficacy of fasting and calorie restriction (FCR) on mood and depression among ageing men." The journal of nutrition, health & aging17.8 (2013): 674-680.

4. Klempel, Monica C., et al. "Intermittent fasting combined with calorie restriction is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection in obese women." Nutrition journal 11.1 (2012): 1.

5. Halberg, Nils, et al. "Effect of intermittent fasting and refeeding on insulin action in healthy men." Journal of Applied Physiology 99.6 (2005): 2128-2136.