Kickstart your longevity for summer

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Picture of adult woman drinking healthy smoothie after workout

No longer just a buzzword, wellness has become a global trend. And there’s a very good reason for this. The deprivation and heartbreak that Covid 19 has caused worldwide has brought home the fact that good health is one of the most valuable assets a person can have. While getting older is inevitable, adopting healthy lifestyle changes now can help you age well, and even add a few extra years to your life.

In these difficult times, healthcare providers are not always available, and the supply of medication is erratic, so you need to take responsibility for your own health. It’s essential to equip yourself both mentally and physically so that you can cope with whatever life throws at you and come out stronger, able to live life to the full. And with summer on the horizon there’s never been a better time to embark on your own brilliant wellness and longevity journey.

It all begins with healthy living: eating well, exercising regularly, making sure you get enough sleep and, as mental health is just as important, engaging in activities that nurture both the mind and the soul.

A good place to start is with mindful eating which means being aware of where your food comes from and what it contains and tailoring your diet and nutrition to your needs. However, there are only so many vitamins and minerals you can get from the food you eat, and this is where supplements can assist.

One such supplement is collagen as it benefits so many parts of the body. A protein produced naturally in the body, collagen is found almost everywhere including the blood vessels, the digestive tract, muscles, joints, skin, hair, teeth and gums. Because the body produces less collagen as you age, to maintain and improve its condition, you should take collagen supplements regularly.

Gut health is top of mind these days. As collagen is known to support and repair the digestive tract, taking it daily will ensure that you can absorb all the nutrients and vitamins in your diet. In turn, these help to boost your immune system, so you can fight off infections.

Whether it’s walking, running, yoga or playing sport, exercise plays a crucial role in every wellness programme. The endorphins released when exercising have been proven to relieve stress, lift the spirits and counteract anxiety and depression. Taking a collagen supplement will assist in maintaining bones, joints, cartilage, tendons and ligaments so your body is able to handle exercise easily, plus it will relieve those stiff joints. Collagen also helps you to build lean muscle and burn fat. And all this exercise results in improved sleep which is essential to heal both body and mind.

Collagen’s anti-aging properties should not be overlooked. Let’s face it, when you look good, you feel good. Collagen works to improve skin hydration and elasticity, smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles not to mention boosting the condition of hair, nails and teeth. And there’s nothing that boosts your confidence like looking younger.

However, to reap the benefits, you must take it regularly. “We recommend taking at least 10g (one heaped teaspoon), preferably 20g, of collagen powder a day,” says Leanne Rohrs, founder of health supplement specialists Be Bright. “To achieve good results, do this over an extended period. You should see and feel the effects within three to twelve weeks depending on the condition of your existing collagen structures.”

Including it in your diet is simple. “You can mix it into yoghurt or a smoothie (see the recipes below), sprinkle it on cereal or stir it into orange juice or your morning cup of coffee. But if you’re adding it to something cold, make sure the powder is completely dissolved by first mixing it into a small amount of warm water,” advises Leanne. “Collagen powder is heat stable so you can even include it when baking things like banana bread, rusks and protein bars.”

Another supplement that Leanne recommends is Açai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berry powder. Harvested from the Açai palm found in protected forests in Brazil, this berry is one of the world’s superfoods. It’s packed with vitamins including Vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper. It also has an unusually high number of anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that help fight cell-damaging free radicals. Another reason to take it is that it’s rich in Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 fatty acids which are essential for promoting heart and brain health.

“As the berries deteriorate within 24 hours of being harvested, they are freeze dried to preserve their vitamins and nutrients and then ground into an easy-to-absorb powder,” explains Leanne. “It’s low in sugar and high in fibre which is good for digestive health, and it tastes a bit like unsweetened dark chocolate.” She recommends mixing it with water and adding it to smoothies, shakes, yoghurt and juices. “And it’s suitable for those on keto, paleo and vegan diets,” she adds.

Açai berry powder is also known for its anti-ageing properties. Its concentrated antioxidants improve the skin and regular use increases energy levels and reduces inflammation of the joints. So not only do you look younger, but you feel younger and best of all, you feel great.

And that’s reason enough to invest in your own brilliant wellness and longevity regime. Live better and start today!

For more information www.bebright.co.za

The Green Goodness Smoothie

Everyone knows the hype surrounding a green juice a day, so why not go one step further and have your green smoothie with your collagen? You will need:

– 1⁄2 cup of unsweetened almond milk (or any milk alternative you prefer).
– 1⁄2 cup of plain, Greek yoghurt with a drizzle of honey added.
– 2 bananas cut into pieces, frozen.
– 3 cups of baby spinach.
– 2 tablespoons of Be Bright collagen
– Ice

Add all of the ingredients into the blender, it’s all goodness!

The Super Blueberry & Lemon Smoothie

This smoothie is loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants! You will need to mix into a blender:

– 1 banana.
– 1 1⁄2 cups of frozen blueberries.
– 1⁄4 cups old fashioned oats.
– 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon zest.
– 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon juice.
– 1 tablespoon sliced almonds (optional).
– 3⁄4 cups of unsweetened almond milk (or your favourite milk alternative).
– 2 tablespoons of Be Bright collagen
– Ice

Blend until smooth. Voila!

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