Your healthiest summer awaits! Here are 5 easy hacks to help you achieve your health and weight goals in the upcoming months.

5 Keto Zone Hacks for Your Healthiest Summer

1. Fill Up on Volume

When using intermittent fasting or forming new habits to eat less snacks, fill up and feel more satisfied with more volume. 

Did you know that the hormones that influence your level of hunger are largely affected by the volume of your foods, or how much your stomach is stretched?

It’s true. The more your stomach “feels” full, the more your brain tells you you are full. On the other hand, if you eat very small-volume foods, even if they are high in calories, your brain will not register as feeling satisfied.

What’s more, fibers, fats and proteins contribute to the “full-feeling” more than simple carbs because they remain in your stomach longer.

Use this Hack Now: Make Keto Zone Shake Chia Pudding. Mix 1 scoop Keto Zone Shake (Rich Chocolate Flavor) and ¾ cup low-carb milk of choice. Stir well. Add 3-4 tablespoons Divine Health Living Chia with Probiotics and mix completely. Let chia swell at room temperature for about 5 minutes, then mix it again to ensure no clumps form.Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to thicken, or overnight.

2. Add Instant Energy for a Keto Zone Hack

In general, it takes several factors for the human body to feel “energized.” It needs either ketones or calories, adequate rest, and healthy cells to use the substrates.

However, there are a few hacks to the human body that can speed up an energized feeling. 

First, there’s a special kind of fat that actually bypasses the need for bile and fat-enzymes. It is digested and used quickly for energy by the human body. It is called medium chain triglycerides.

Second, caffeine is an amazing compound that crosses the blood brain barrier, increases alertness, reduces sense of effort while performing activities, and increases feelings of energy.

Third, exogenous ketones increase ketone production in your body while you are entering or maintaining ketosis. In addition, Keto Zone Instant Ketones provides the electrolytes you need to maintain a healthy hydration balance and avoid the keto flu.

Use this Hack Now: Mix 1 scoop Keto Zone Instant Ketones (Limeade) and 8-12 oz. green or black tea. Take Keto Zone MCT oil capsules with it! Enjoy this quick morning or afternoon pick-me-up!

3. Intermittent Fasting and Keto Zone Coffee 

It’s no secret that intermittent fasting is one of the most effective Keto hacks. By simply not consuming foods for 15-16 hours per day, you can significantly increase your success with producing Ketones, achieving and healthy weight, and experiencing many health benefits.

To learn more about intermittent fasting, check out this article. In addition, here’s how Keto Zone Coffee affects fasting.

Use this Hack Now: Adhere to a plan of fasting from 7pm to 11am each day. You can actually drink decaf tea and/or Keto Zone Coffee (with Keto Zone Collagen and Keto Zone MCT Oil Powder) while fasting. Then, eat great Keto Zone foods from 11am-7pm each day.

4. Hydrate Adequately Each Day

One key to Keto Zone success is hydration. The process of producing ketones can actually cause dehydration in the body, so it’s more important than ever to hydrate well. What’s more, adequate hydration is simply good for your entire body including your skin, brain, organs, and everything else.

Use this Hack Now: Aim to drink 64-80 ounces of water each day. If you exercise, add 24-32 ounces of water per hour of exercise. Also, add 1-2 servings of Keto Zone Instant Ketones (Limeade) per day to add electrolytes and ketones!

5. Focus on your Long-Term Health Rather than just Weight

Remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint. Your weight, while important, is just one piece to the overall health picture. As you use Keto Zone, pay attention to how you’re improving your health, from head to toe, and let this continue to motivate you forward. In addition, your body may be changing for the better while you lose fat, but sometimes it won’t show up on the scale right away. Keep going. The health journey is worth it.

Use this Hack Now: Join the Keto Zone Challenge to keep your focus on the long-haul journey of a healthy lifestyle. Click here to start and receive guidance, recipes, and more, for free!

Bottom Line:

You can make this the summer you utilize every tool for Keto Zone success. It doesn’t have to be hard. Make small changes and use our hacks to stay in the Keto Zone!

The post 5 Keto Zone Hacks for Your Healthiest Summer appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.

Ready for a healthy, energizing, change? If so, try swapping out your regular lunch for our Keto Zone® Energizing Green Smoothie for 2 weeks and see what happens! We think you’ll feel energized, support your immune function, possibly attain a more healthy weight, and even see overall whole-body benefits.

Here’s our recipe, the details of its ingredients, and what you can look forward to.

Keto Zone® Energizing Green Smoothie (with Fermented Green Supremefood® )

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut or almond milk (from a carton, not can)
• 1 scoop Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood®
• 1/2 cup frozen raw cranberries (try alternating low-sugar frozen fruit)
• 1/4 cup frozen cherries (or berries) (try alternating fruits)
• 1 cup fresh mixed greens (try alternating greens)
• 1/4 avocado
• juice from 1/2 lemon
• 1 scoop Keto Zone® Hydrolyzed Collagen
• 1 scoop Keto Zone® Fiber Zone
• 1/2-1 cup water

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a blender, adding water as needed for desired consistency. Makes 1 large serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition info: 349 calories, 6 grams fat, 12 grams net carbs (26 grams carbs, 14 grams fiber), 26 grams protein

Why Try Keto Zone® Energizing Green Smoothie?

The magic is in the ingredients. In addition to Keto Zone® Collagen Powder, Keto Zone® Fiber Zone, fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats, the star of this smoothie is Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood®. This amazing fermented green powder is full of USDA Organic greens, vegetables, grasses, and ingredients like milk thistle. 

Milk thistle is a very special ingredient. It has been shown to support liver health, potentially offer neuroprotection and support healthy brain function in aging (1, 2), stimulate bone mineralization (3), support healthy skin and fewer blemishes (4), promote insulin sensitivity (5), and support healthy immune function.

In addition, fermented foods like those in Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood® contain:

• Less Sugar. Fermentation vastly decreases sugar since it has been used as food for the fermenters. The remaining sugars become more easily digestible.
• More Nutrients. Many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients become easier to digest and absorb.
• Healthy Bacteria. As the fermenters proliferate, healthy bacteria multiply.
• Natural Food Preservation. Byproducts of fermentation, like alcohol and lactic acid, naturally preserve food.
• Better Proteins. As fermenters eat, they often alter proteins to make them more digestible.

What Can Happen in Just 2 Weeks?

In just 2 weeks, those who’ve tried this change report:

1. Modest Weight Change

This, of course, depends on your current habits and weight. But, liquid nutrition has a long history of supporting a healthier weight as long as the ingredients in the smoothie are good ones! In fact, studies have found that healthy green smoothies are great for a healthy weight.

Why?

Smoothie-drinkers often feel full because smoothies have a large volume. In studies, this has proven successful for dieters (6). They also pack in a lot of nutrients for a relatively small amount of calories.

What’s more, the energizing detox nutrients in the  Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood®, including organic fermented grasses, greens, and fiber can support cellular health. This in turn may allow cells to more efficiently oxidize fat.

2. Healthy Skin

There are many ingredients in the smoothie that support skin health, including those in Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood®  (like milk thistle) and Keto Zone® Collagen Powder. In fact, hydrolyzed collagen is a well-known and tested ingredient for amazing skin.

According to studies, collagen has been shown to support healthy skin hydration, improved visual assessment of skin, and skin elasticity (7). 

3. Anti-Bloat and Energy

Do you ever feel bloated and tired after lunch? Many adults do.

They often eat lunches that cause an energy peak and crash, or that are full of processed ingredients (like soybean oil) associated with health declines.

If that describes your lunch, trade it out for the Keto Zone® Energizing Green Smoothie! Fermented foods can fight belly bloat while supporting healthy digestion. In addition, the psyllium husk and inulin in Keto Zone® Fiber Zone are some of the best ingredients available for healthy digestion!

What’s more, our energizing smoothie has helped many people maintain steady energy throughout the afternoon, rather than an afternoon slump.

4. Less Hunger

Smoothies can go one of two ways. Sometimes, dieters feel famished.. Typically, this is because they are drinking low-fiber, high-sugar, low-nutrition smoothies. Or, they are drinking smoothies that simply don’t contain enough calories.

On the other hand, many dieters report less hunger and more energy with smoothies.

This is not a low-calorie smoothie. What’s more, the combination of  Keto Zone® Fiber Zone, high-volume fruits and vegetables, Divine Health® Fermented Green Supremefood®, water, and air whipped into it (this always happens with a blender), promotes satiety without a big solid-food lunch or an afternoon snack.

Let Us Know Your Experience

Once you take the Keto Zone® Energizing Green Smoothie Challenge, let us know what you think! Did you feel energized? See a flatter belly or experience weight changes? Skin changes?

We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Bottom Line

Our Keto Zone® Energizing Green Smoothie may just change your life, or at least your lunches and afternoons. Give it a try for 2 weeks and let us know how the fermented greens, fibers, and healthy fats affect your body. Enjoy!

The post Keto Zone® Energizing Green Smoothie appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.

In fact, keto enables your brain to use available energy better while altering its DNA to make brain cells better energy producers. Together, these changes optimize energy, focus, clarity, and youthful brain traits.

Are you ready for a more youthful and energized brain? Here’s why and how to start.

Ketogenic Diet 101 and An Energized Brain

As you may already know, the ketogenic diet mimics starvation. While this may sound like a bad thing, it’s actually great. When in “starvation mode,” due to a lack of carbohydrates, the body transitions into a metabolic state called ketosis.

Typically, we humans are fueled by glucose. Glucose comes from any digested carbohydrate, or from gluconeogenesis (the making of glucose from other substrates) in the body. Once we digest carbs, they are broken down and transported to cells to be used for energy. If we overeat them, they are stored as glycogen in the liver or muscle tissue. If we overeat more, they promote fat storage.

When humans vastly reduce carbohydrate intake, such as in the ketogenic diet, an amazing thing happens. The body moves to its back-up plan. The liver begins making ketones, derived from fats in the diet or body. These ketones, specifically β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), acetoacetate, and acetone, flow from the liver to the bloodstream and are taken up by organs around the body. Including the brain.

Meanwhile, the body keeps blood sugars normalized via gluconeogenesis, creating just enough blood glucose from amino acids and fatty acids.

How does the brain fit in?

The brain is especially hungry and stingy for energy. Its primary energy source in a normal state is glucose. In fact, it cannot use fats directly, but it can use ketones. The brain accounts for about 20% of your total energy expenditure. This is a huge amount for a small, seemingly sedentary organ. But, it has a lot of work to do.

What are Mitochondria?

Your Brain on Keto

Other studies have found improved gene expression to encode mitochondrial enzymes and energy metabolism in the hippocampus when exposed to ketones. The hippocampus is a part of the brain important for learning and memory. Unfortunately, its cells often degenerate in age-related brain conditions, With increased energy reserve from ketones, neurons may be able to continue to function in a healthy manner rather than exhaust or die (4).

Lastly, a ketogenic diet may also inhibit a major source of brain oxidative stress, or neuronal stress, as well. In a study of brain injury, ketone treatment enhanced mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress, and supported overall neurological function (5).

What Does it Mean to Have an Energized Brain?

For many who start a ketogenic diet, an energized brain means consistent clarity and focus. It means not dealing with the energy ups and downs associated with a high-carb diet.

Behind the scenes, it means healthy, increased mitochondria numbers and production. There’s really no downside to helping your mitochondria, the energy producers of each cell and your whole body, perform well.

How to Start a Ketogenic Diet

We have great news! You can start a ketogenic diet today and experience an energized brain. Start with our Easy Keto Zone 5-Step Start Guide. Join our Keto Challenge. And, to give your body a ketone jump-start, consider adding a well-formulated exogenous ketone source, such as Instant Ketones, to your diet.

Bottom Line

A ketogenic diet can give you a revitalized and energized brain. It starts with tiny ketone chemicals and their impact on tiny organelles inside tiny cells. But, the collective impact is powerful.

The post Energize & Reverse Aging in Your Brain With This Diet Change appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.

1. Improves Digestion

In one study, peppermint oil capsules reduced IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) symptoms by up to 40% after 4 weeks, and another showed that it lowered the duration and severity of stomach pain. (2,3) On top of relieving gas, bloating, and indigestion, peppermint can also alleviate vomiting and nausea, making it a great remedy for overall digestion health. (4)

2. Helps Tension Headaches

Applying peppermint oil to your temples can be as effective as using 1,000 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for tension headaches and migraines according to one study. (5) The menthol increases blood flow and adds a cooling sensation, while the oil itself can act as a muscle relaxer. (6) Because of these results, it’s thought the aroma of peppermint tea might add some relief as well. So if you’re struggling with the dreaded keto headache, give it a try!

3. Battles Bad Bacteria

Menthol, the main ingredient in peppermint, is an antibacterial, and peppermint oil has been shown to kill dangerous bacteria like E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and pneumonia pathogens. (7,8,9) Studies also show it can lessen the number of bacteria found in your mouth. (10) But as you know by now, not all bacteria is bad! Read 8 Tips to Improve Gut Bacteria for Better Health on Keto Zone.

4. Alleviates Nasal Congestion

Since peppermint is antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory, it may aid common cold and allergy side effects like nasal congestion. It’s been shown that menthol can help airflow in your nose, which means the steam from hot peppermint tea can help clear out sinuses and allow easier breathing. (11,12) In 2016, a study suggests that peppermint oil vapors can even clear up some upper respiratory infections. (13)

5. Increases Energy

In one 24-people study, each person took a peppermint oil capsule and experienced less fatigue during cognitive tests, and peppermint oil aromatherapy showed to help tiredness during the day. (14,15)  This could mean the smell from drinking peppermint tea could help wake you up and boost energy. And since peppermint tea is naturally caffeine-free, you won’t experience any caffeine crashes.

6. Clears Bad Breath

Peppermint lessens the bacteria found in your mouth, like the kinds that cause excess plaque and gum disease. (16) Because of this and menthol’s strong, minty taste, many people find improvements in bad breath. Such as this study in 2017, where those who received a peppermint, tea tree, and lemon oil rinse after spine surgery saw significant improvements compared to those who didn’t. (17) Those who are going through keto flu bad breath might find drinking peppermint tea helpful!

How Much to Drink

Since peppermint tea is calorie and caffeine-free, you can drink it without worrying about weight gain or caffeine-induced insomnia. At the moment, there isn’t an exact recommended daily intake, but starting with 1-2 cups per day is good– one for the morning, and one for the afternoon slump! If you want to make your tea more filling, add heavy cream or MCT Oil Powder. To sweeten it, use keto-friendly sweeteners like stevia or erythritol.

Keep in mind that if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn, peppermint tea has sometimes been shown to worsen symptoms. And it is possible to be allergic to peppermint or its naturally occurring chemicals like menthol. So, if you are allergic, stay away from peppermint tea, as it may induce reactions.

Homemade Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is two ingredients: peppermint leaves and water. You don’t even have to buy it in teabag form! Just boil 2 cups of water, remove it from the heat, then dump in 4-5 torn peppermint leaves into the water. Cover the pot with a lid, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain the tea, pour it into a mug, and enjoy! To really embrace the homemade version, you can also grow peppermint leaves in your backyard.

Bottom Line

Although the peppermint tea connection hasn’t been directly studied, peppermint oil, which is on the list of 7 Essential Therapeutic Oils, has proven to have so many incredible benefits. And since peppermint tea is a derivative of the oil, we can only conclude it to have similar positive effects! Drink it at any time of the day: after a meal to ease digestion, in the afternoon for a caffeine-free energy boost, or after your morning coffee to freshen your breath. Either way, the health benefits are a quick way to increase your wellbeing. Shop here for more wellness-boosting supplements!

The post Peppermint Tea: 6 Health Benefits & How Much to Drink appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.

So one by one, we will address them.

This time, the myths involve energy, sleep, and athletic performance.

But never fear, Keto Zone eating is great for all of these. Here are 5 more Keto Myths. And 5 More Keto Myths Busted.

Keto Myths Busted, Part 4: Energy, Fatigue, and Athletes

It seems that anytime a Keto critic talks about energy and athletic performance, they forget about one little part of ketosis: the ketones.

They focus on carbs-for-energy and completely omit the benefits of ketones.

Without the ketones, yes, any Keto eater would stay perpetually in a low-carb fatigue state.

But with the ketones, as we’ll see, users benefit from mental clarity, steady energy, and the ability to continue running, cycling, and more for hours on very little fuel.

Today, we’ll but 4 more Keto Myths and wrap up this series, for now. Here are Keto Myths Busted, Part 4.

Keto Myth #14: “Keto Diets Result in Fatigue and Flu-Like Symptoms.”

During the first few days of switching from burning carbs for fuel, to a low-carb keto diet that burns ketones, yes, you’re going to feel some changes.

You may feel low in energy and achy.

It’s a big change for your body.

But, not only are there ways to reduce these symptoms, the duration is quick and once you’re burning ketones, you’ll feel great again.

First, to reduce symptoms, make sure to eat zero-carb and low-carb foods to fullness. You’re not trying to starve yourself with low calories during this time.

Next, add exogenous ketones to your diet. These will provide the body with an external form of ketones and needed salts.

Lastly, drink several cups of bullion broth or bone broth per day. This will also provide needed hydration and electrolytes.

Keto Myth #15: “Eating a Very-Low-Carb Diet Results in Ongoing Daily Fatigue.”

Again, without the ketones, you’d feel pretty low.

But, the whole point of getting your carb into down to 20-30 grams carbs per day, and increasing fat to 75% of your calorie intake, is to produce ketones and burn those for energy.

And, there’s a lot of benefits to ketones, including great, steady energy. The benefits include:

Keto Myth #16: “Eating a Keto Diet Will Cause Poor Sleep.”

I’m not completely sure from where this myth originated, but like anything online, once a myth is repeated enough by so-called “experts,” it’s largely accepted.

This is a problem when it’s not true.

Many people suffer from sleep issues, whether eating keto or another diet. Sleep largely has to do with stress and mental health.

Fortunately, a healthy keto diet can actually help with this. In fact, one survey of almost 1600 people found that sleep-aid use was cut from 11% to 5% of respondents after they initiated a keto diet (1).

Keto Myth #17: “Keto is a Horrible Idea for Athletes.”

Tell this to all the athletes thriving on Keto.

Atop many podiums for endurance races and other sports, there are athletes who’ve adopted a ketogenic diet and lifestyle.

Using ketones and fat-burning for fuel allows these athletes to become more and more fat adapted, which means they can continue to run, cycle, and more with less external fuel.

Next, it omits the risk of stomach issues associated with eating carbs during exercise.

Now, it’s not the only diet that’s good for athletes. Many different athletes thrive on many different diets including paleo, vegetarian, keto, and more.

But, keto is absolutely a viable option, especially for those who have not been able to meet weight, body fat, and performance goals on conventional diets.

What’s more, many studies show that athletes can thrive on keto including marathon runners, triathletes, CrossFit athletes, gymnasts, and more (2, 3, 4, 5, 6).

Keto Myth #18: “A Keto Diet Reduces Lean Body Mass in Athletes.”

Most weight loss will cause some decrease in lean body mass in athletes.

The key for any athlete is to incorporate resistance (weight) training in order to build muscle while losing weight, no matter what weight-loss diet they are following.

Science supports this.

One three-month study followed Cross Fit athletes following a Keto Diet. It found that the diet had no impact on lean body mass. On the other hand, fat mass significantly decreased and performance improved (7).

Keto Myths Busted, Part 1-3:

Want to learn about all the myths we’ve busted? Read:

Keto Myths Busted, Part 1: Fruits, Fiber, and Digestion (Don’t worry, Keto vegetables, seeds, and nuts work well, too!)

Keto Myths Busted, Part 2: Dietary Fats (Same ol’ anti-fat dogma)

Keto Myths Busted, Part 3: Keto is A Terrible Idea for a Million Reasons (Jillian Michaels’ Myths)

Bottom Line

As long as they’re Keto Myths, we’ll keep busting them. This time, it was all about energy, sleep, and athletes. These myths often forget about the ketones that improve it all. If you’re an athlete or anyone who wants steady energy, you don’t need to abandon Keto Zone eating. In fact, you’ll meet your goals with Keto Zone.

The post Keto Myths Busted, Part 4: Energy, Fatigue & Athletes appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.