Recover faster with this homemade drink!

When I am experiencing symptoms of fatigue, soreness, joint pain, and/or muscular cramps, I sometimes make this recovery drink. I am a supporter of a whole food diet and lifestyle for stress management, but sometimes I just need extra help. Thank goodness for supplements that can fill in the gaps when I successfully come crashing down. 

After my personal decision to stop using NSAIDs a couple of years ago, I explored different options in supporting how I recover from overexercise, muscular cramps, headaches and joint pain.  I found this homemade tonic to work most of the times.  From experience, I find it works as well as NSAIDS (ex. ibruprofen). By the way, there is a ton of research that supports my experience.  

This drink contains different amino acids (building blocks for protein) and a ton of micronutrients (ex. antioxidants). As always, use this drink as a supplement to a well-balanced diet and lifestyle that is appropriate for you! Supplements do not replace eating whole foods and lifestyle habits the same way.  

As a mindful tip, I encourage you to notice how you feel before you drink this mixture and then how you feel an hour afterwards.  For me, I start to feel better in a matter of minutes after drinking this concoction.  I have played around with the ratios according to how I feel.  Feel free to adjust the ratios to work for you too!

Ingredients

• 1 -2 tsp of magnesium citrate; what is recommended by Natural Calm 
• 1-2 scoops of grass-fed collagen peptides (I use Vital Proteins)
• ½ a lemon squeezed for its juice or 2 slices of lemon
• 1 cup of cold or warm water, your favorite smoothie, or juice. 

Optional Ingredients

• 1 tsp of turmeric powder
• 1 tsp of freshly grated ginger
• Feel free to use the Liver Support Shot recipe from my blog and add this part to the drink.

Directions

Blend the ingredients in a large glass or blender.  The magnesium may bubble up, especially when you add the collagen peptides. Make sure you use a glass that has enough clearance so the magnesium or collagen peptides don't spill over.  

Why I use these ingredients?

Magnesium

• It is the 2nd most common mineral in cells.
• 60% of it is found in bones.
• It co-works with calcium and phosphorus.
• One of its main function is to activate enzymes (a catalyst for cellular chemical functions).
• It maintains electrical charges in cell, especially in muscles and nerves.
• It is involved in energy production (Kreb cycle), protein formation, and cellular replication.
• When low, mental confusion, irritability, weakness, and heart disturbances can occur.
• Issues in nerve conduction and muscle contraction, including muscle cramping, headaches, loss of appetite, insomnia, and predisposition to stress can occur when deficient.
• Food sources of magnesium include seaweed (highest in kelp), nuts, liver, whole grains, tofu, and leafy greens. 

Collagen Peptides

• It contains amino acids that are building blocks for making proteins. Proteins create body structures (muscle, hair, tendons, and ligaments), enzymes, hormones, and DNA.
• One of the amino acids collagen peptides contain is called glycine, an amino acid that helps make glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and detoxifier.  You can find glutathione in foods such as asparagus, avocados, and walnuts.            

Vitamin C

• It is important for wound healing, healthy gums, and can reduce the ease of bruising.
• It plays an important role in collagen production. 
• It can boost immunity. 
• It is found in peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and citrus fruits.

Turmeric powder

• It is anti-inflammatory.
• Curcumin, what makes turmeric yellow, has been shown in research studies to work similiarly to drugs such as hydrocortisone, phenylbutazone, and OTC anti-inflammatory products like ibuprofen, without the toxic side-effects.  Some research has shown that 400 mg of curcumin may have the same impact as  400 mg of ibuprofen on subjects with arthritis.
• Curcumin has been associated with improvements in morning stiffness, walking time, and joint swelling for patients with RA. 
• It may inhibit colon cancer in some cases. 
• It may help in the prevention of heart disease; reducing the amount of cholesterol and the oxidation of cholesterol.
• It may help with the prevention and progression of Alzheimer and MS.

Fresh ginger

• It can sooth gastrointestinal distress via antioxidants; can inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds.
• It contains gingerols that are anti-inflammatory, which may reduce pain in people with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines. 
• 75% of patients with arthritis and 100% of patients with muscular discomfort experience relief in pain or swelling (with the dosage of 500-1,000 mg/day or more).
• Fresh ginger may be more effective since it contains active enzymes.  

Reference

Murray, M. Pizzorno, J. Pizzorno, Lara. (2005). The Encyclopedia Of Healing Foods. New York, New York: Atria Books. Murray, M. Pizzorno, J. Pizzorno, Lara. The Encyclopedia Of Healing Foods.

6/30/16 Retrieved from http://philschatz.com/biology-book/contents/m44441.html