EZ Melts Health Blog

Read Time: 4 minutes This month, we're putting the spotlight on heart disease. Unfortunately, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States, so it's important to do everything you can to reduce your risk.  We hope you find this information useful and that you'll take these tips to heart (pun intended). Eat a Healthy Diet Eating nutritious foods is good for your overall health, and that includes your heart. Be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet, and limit your intake of saturated and trans fats. You should also watch your sodium intake, as too much salt can lead to high blood pressure. Here are some heart-healthy foods you can pick up on your next grocery trip. Try incorporating them into meals you already make: Avocado Whole Grains Berries Walnuts Beans Make Movement a Habit Exercise is another important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Aerobic exercise is great for your heart, so aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days of the week and incorporate strength training at least 1-2x a week. If you're not used to exercising regularly, start off slow and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. Going full throttle from no movement to extreme levels of exercise will not only cause fast burnout and lead to stopping, but it can also be harmful to strain your body. If it's overwhelming to begin a habit of movement, try our goal-setting tips for success here. Quit Smoking If you currently smoke cigarettes, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your heart (and your overall health). Did you know there are over 600 ingredients in a cigarette, 250 of which are known to be harmful? If you needed a reason to quit, that's a big one. If you need help quitting, there are many resources available, such as nicotine replacement products, counseling, and support groups. Just don't try to quit on your own—it's much harder than it sounds. Control Your Cholesterol There's good and bad cholesterol, but in the United States, almost 94 million people have bad cholesterol levels over 200mg/dL—that's a national health crisis. Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your bloodstream, and too much of the "bad" kind can contribute to plaque buildup in your arteries. This plaque buildup can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. You can control your cholesterol levels by eating a healthy diet (see tip #1) and exercising regularly (see tip #2). If these lifestyle changes aren't enough, medication may also be necessary. Check Your Blood Pressure Routinely High blood pressure is another major risk factor for heart disease, so it's important to keep it under control. You can have your blood pressure checked at most doctor's offices or clinics, or you can purchase a home blood pressure monitor if you prefer to check it regularly. You can do many things to lower high blood pressure, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, losing weight if necessary, reducing stress, and limiting alcohol consumption. Medication may also be needed in some cases.  Take a Multivitamin Supplement  Certain vitamins, like E, C, and CoQ10, are linked to supporting a healthy heart. Creating a daily vitamin routine is one of the most affordable and easiest habits to adopt. Not sure where to start? A quality multivitamin supplement is always a great idea, and try pairing it with a CoQ10 supplement as well. Just remember that not all supplements are created equal. Our vitamins are non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free and free from the nine most common allergens. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements. Right now for a limited time, first-time subscribers to our supplement deliveryservice save 30% on their order. It's never been a better time to protect your heart.

Read Time: 4 minutes This month is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and we wanted to highlight some trending, fun ways to move your body. If you don’t like traditional treadmills, weightlifting at the gym, or are super busy, you’ll probably love this article. Being physically active doesn’t need to be boring or something to dread. It can be fun and fit into your schedule. Most of all, moving is for everyone—there are so many activities to try that don’t include hours spent in a gym.  Whether you like working out in a group or solo, at home or outside, or trying new things, there’s an activity out there for you. Check out these below and get moving!  Video Games Intensity Level: Mild to Strenuous, it depends on you and the game you choose The first one on the list might be a head-scratcher, but if you’re a gamer and want to exercise in the comfort of your own home, video games might be the solution. There are many games out there to stimulate your mind and move your body—all while having fun. If you like to dance like nobody’s watching, try Just Dance. If you’re into adventurous fantasy games, try Ring Fit Adventure on Nintendo Switch—it’s like playing an RPG and working out at the same time.  Aerial Yoga Intensity level: Moderate Want a refreshing spin on yoga? Try it in the air! There are many studios and instructors that offer aerial yoga classes now. Ropes and hoops are suspended from the ceiling, and all fitness levels are welcome (check with the studio on which classes are best for you). You’ll work on stability, balance, and flexibility, all while learning new skills.  Weighted Hula Hooping Intensity Level: Mild to moderate If you loved hula hooping as a child, you’ll love that it is a great way to work out, even as an adult! Weighted hula hoops are a fun and relatively affordable way to get fit. Hula hoops are known for strengthening your entire body, especially your core. Try looking up some videos online of different techniques or see if there is a local group that hoops together. Who knows, maybe you’ll learn some new tricks that will impress your friends.  Speed Walking Intensity Level: Mild to moderate Speed walking isn’t just for catching a bus or getting someplace faster—it’s also a great workout and alternative to running. If you don’t like to go for morning jogs or running hurts your joints, try speed walking instead. All you need are a good pair of supportive sneakers and a few videos on proper form (yes, there is proper form to walking). There are even speed walking races, so check out local events.   Barre Intensity Level: Moderate to strenuous If you ever wanted to be a ballerina, now is your chance. Barre is Pilates meets ballet meets yoga, and it will work out muscles you didn’t even know you had. Barre classes are an increasingly popular option being offered in gyms and private studios. You can even find classes on fitness apps if you prefer privacy. However, we would recommend going to a class with an experienced instructor, because if you need correcting of your form, they can help make sure you prevent injury. The barre method is small movements at high reps, which tones specific muscle groups that are often missed by traditional movement. Plus, they usually play current, high-energy music during class that will get you sweating and forgetting to check the time.  A Vitamin Boost to Your Fitness Routine Routine physical activity is essential for immunity, bone health, sleep quality, mental wellness, and metabolism, among others.  To maximize your body’s ability to repair muscle tissue after working out and increase your energy levels, consider Iron and B-complex supplements which help to oxygen transport to your muscles, strengthen your bones and rev your metabolism.  Our vitamins are non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free and free from the nine most common allergens. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements!

The holidays are around the corner, and for those who celebrate, it can bring feelings of happiness and warmth as we look forward to spending time with our loved ones. Even this year, as many are figuring out socially distanced holiday plans, one factor is central to celebrations: food! Every year, people talk about being stuffed and sleepy, especially during Thanksgiving. There are many sayings about turkey and tryptophan, feeling drowsy after eating, and bemoaning holiday weight gain--but are all of these just plain inevitable factors that come with the season?  The truth is--no. Many of the commonly-held beliefs about holiday food and celebrations are actually myths! Read on to disband three big ones you may still think are true--we were surprised ourselves!   Myth 1: Turkey Will Make You Sleepy People have been pointing to the amount of tryptophan in turkey as the reason they snooze right after their Thanksgiving dinner. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is connected to serotonin transmitters, thought to be responsible in part for sleep regulation. This is why many blame it for needing a trot around the turkey table to stay awake after eating.  But hold up! Many foods actually contain just as much tryptophan as turkey, such as beans, milk, tofu, red meat, and chicken. (Chicken actually has more than the same serving size of turkey!) The more likely culprit of the sleepiness after Thanksgiving dinner is the culture of stuffing ourselves silly with a large amount of food and holiday dessert treats. No shame here, but the turkey in and of itself is unlikely to make you snooze!   Myth 2: You Will Definitely Gain Weight From Holiday Festivities Listen-- we aren’t in the habit of body shaming here at EZ Melts, and weight fluctuations are normal! Unless you have a specific medical condition, taking part in holiday dinners and indulgent appetizers probably isn’t something to be wary about.  However, the general belief is that everyone puts on holiday weight, and this is just not always true! People believe everyone gains around 5-10lbs this time of year, but on average, it’s only 1lb. Regardless, if you are super concerned about Thanksgiving messing with your fitness goals, try bringing or serving some healthy alternatives to popular holiday dishes. Also try to stick to your workout routine even near the holidays, as this will boost your metabolism and help you digest those extra calories.   Myth 3: You Should Save All Your Calories for That ONE Meal If you’re thinking of fasting until Thanksgiving dinner for 24 hours beforehand, think again! Calorie splurging is actually not the smartest decision. Many people will try to offset the amount of calories they eat during a holiday meal by not eating beforehand. It’s actually detrimental to your metabolism--and your stomach! This is because if you are famished by the time all the delicious food is laid out, you are likely to eat WAY more than you would have if you had consistently grazed all day and stuck to your normal eating schedule. This can lead to bloating, indigestion, sleepiness, and general discomfort--not things we want to feel when we are trying to enjoy the vacation! Also, don’t forget to drink lots of water! Often when fasting people forget to stay hydrated. This can help curb your appetite and keep you feeling awake. Use these tips to gobble, not waddle, away at the Thanksgiving table! Have a happy holiday, EZ Melts family!   The EZ Melts Difference Quality matters. Are you looking to keep your energy levels boosted through Thanksgiving? Try a vitamin D or B-complex supplement through the winter to support healthy, sustained energy. The best part about choosing EZ Melts supplements? Our tablets are fast melting, EZ to take, and have delicious customer-approved flavors. In addition, all our supplements have zero chemical additives, are vegan, and non-GMO. Check out B-complex or vitamin D in customer-approved flavors. Make sure you are choosing a brand that cares about what they put into their supplements as much as you care about what goes into your body! Thank you for being a part of our community! ___ Written by Annie-Eliza Stevens

It seems that almost every day there is a new supplement claiming to fire up your metabolism and quickly shed away body fat in mere weeks! Unfortunately, the FDA does not regulate the nutraceutical industry as strictly as pharmaceuticals, so there are a lot of ineffective, even dangerous supplements on the market claiming to boost your metabolic rate [1]. However with regular exercise and the right supplements to support your metabolism, you can see a change in your fitness and BMI. It all has to do with picking the right brand!    Metabolism: What Is It? The metabolism is a system of biochemical reactions within your body which digests your food,  burning calories to convert into energy [2]. The metabolic rate, or the speed of your metabolism, is directly related to weight management. But your metabolism is so much more important to your body than just weight management! The energy it produces for your body affects your hormones, blood circulation, and even cellular rejuvenation [1].   Gene Lottery and Ways to Support Your Metabolism You may have heard of the gene lottery before in reference to metabolism speed. While most people are born with metabolic rates that are in normal operating range, some people are born with faster or significantly slower metabolisms, sometimes due to medical conditions [3]. Your base metabolic rate and 70% of your energy use is affected by factors such as genes, height and weight [2]. It is also directly impacted by the nutrition you give your body! So that being said, there are nutraceuticals that affect your metabolic rate effectively and safely, but there are also a lot of false claims you have to sift through to find them. Read on to bust some myths and discover supplements that are connected with a boosted metabolism!   False Advertising As we mentioned, many companies will say just about anything to get you on board with buying their latest diet pill [4]! Even if it’s not a harmful, artificial supplement, some websites and ads will claim that natural foods like green tea or coffee will help you slim down quickly. While some of these products are beneficial to your health (antioxidants, more energy, etc.), most have a relatively insignificant impact on your metabolic rate [5]. There is good news though! In addition to changes in diet and physical activity, natural vitamin supplements can help support a healthy metabolic rate! But which ones?   Vitamins That DO Impact Your Metabolic Rate Vitamins and minerals have a direct impact on all of your bodily functions, which is why it is so important to get the right amounts of each. Over 90% of people in the United States today are nutrient deficient. Natural supplements, like EZ Melts, are a great way to make all essential vitamins and minerals bioavailable to your metabolism.   Here are some vitamins that support your metabolic rate and digestion:       B-Complex (a blend of all the B vitamins)       Calcium       Iron The best part about choosing EZ Melts? Our tablets are fast melting, EZ to take, and have delicious customer-approved flavors. In addition, all our supplements have zero chemical additives, are vegan, and non-GMO. Thanks for being a part of our community!   Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/metabolism/art-20046508 https://www.healthline.com/health/metabolism-boosters-weight-loss#metabolism https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/boost_your_metabolism https://www.myfooddiary.com/blog/7-dangers-of-diet-pills https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/11/10/432727282/will-drinking-green-tea-boost-your-metabolism-no-so-fast ___ Written by Annie-Eliza Stevens

Are you an only child? Well, vitamin B-complex certainly isn’t! Vitamin B has a ton of siblings (eight essential ones to be exact), and it’s hard to keep them all straight. B vitamins are vital to so many different parts of our functioning body, especially the brain and all it does for us--memory, emotions, energy levels, stress, mental health including depressive episodes, etc [1], [2]. That’s a whole lot of brain power! Unfortunately, many people are deficient in B vitamins, especially vitamins B1, B6, and B12 [3]. This is because during human evolution we have lost a lot of our abilities to synthesize vitamins in the body itself [4]. Therefore, B-complex is only stored in the body via oral consumption--whether that’s food or vitamin supplements. Bs are also water soluble and pass through our bodies quickly, which means we need constant intake of the right dosages.   Vitamin Bs for Females Vitamins are miracle workers--and know what to do for you, even according to your biological sex. Bs are especially important during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Bs aid in fetal brain development and protect against the risk of birth defects! Bs also support good energy levels and lower the risk of preeclampsia, a life-threatening condition to both parent and child [5].   Vitamin Bs for Males In males, Bs are linked to testosterone levels in the body, and may help with building muscle tone. While research on sex-specific benefits of B vitamins is lacking in a lot of verified information, both sexes require Bs to metabolize food, which is important for physical health. Click here to see recommended daily dosages of Vitamin Bs; there are different requirements according to your sex!   Vitamin Bs, Deficiencies, and Benefits Here are all 8 essential B vitamins with a quick description of what they do and how to spot deficiencies. People with certain conditions, such as HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, or immune disorders have more of a chance of developing symptoms. If you feel you have an imbalance, you’ll have a better idea of what to ask your doctor with the information below.    Vitamin B1: Also called thiamin, it supports your immune system, metabolism of food, and cell reproduction. A shortage can cause beriberi [6], which affects the cardiovascular system, and loss of appetite, confusion, tingling in limbs, and severe memory loss, among other symptoms.   Vitamin B2: Also called riboflavin, serves as an antioxidant, is connected to the immune system, and also metabolizes food. Deficiency includes symptoms such as skin disorders, hair loss, and problems with liver and reproductive systems.   Vitamin B3: Also called niacin, it helps with cell production, particularly related to DNA. Lack of B3 can lead to diarrhea, memory loss, brain fog, and even dementia.    Vitamin B5: Also called pantothenic acid, it helps with hormone production, metabolism and breaking down essential fats. Lack of B5 symptoms include sleeplessness, irritability, headaches, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, and loss of appetite, among others.   Vitamin B6: Also called pyridoxine, it is vital for over 100 reactions in the body having to do with metabolism. Symptoms of deficiency include itchy rashes, a swollen tongue, cracks in the lips, depression, confusion, and seizures in infants.   Vitamin B7: Also known as biotin, helps turn carbs, fat, and protein into energy and nutrition your body needs to function. A shortage of biotin could include symptoms of hair loss, rashes, pink eye, high levels of acid in urine, and development delays in infants, among others.   Vitamin B9: Also known as folate, this vitamin helps make DNA and other genetic material. Low amounts can lead to weakness, fatigue, mood swings, heart palpitations and shortness of breath, and developmental disorders in infants.   Vitamin B12: This vitamin keeps the nerve and blood cells healthy and helps with DNA production. A deficiency includes symptoms like loss of appetite, weakness and fatigue, severe anemia as well as poor memory and dementia.   What to Do  While it is rare for some of these to be found as deficient in the human body today, it still helps to consult with a medical professional if you are experiencing prolonged symptoms that match the above. Monitoring nutrient intake now could prevent more serious conditions down the road--so make sure to get the right amounts your body needs! If you try B supplements, see why EZ Melts is better--Our vitamins are fast melting, EZ to take, and have delicious customer-approved flavors. Unlike many major vitamin brands, our tablets don’t include harmful toxic ingredients or artificial flavors. Give our Zero Sugar, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO B-Complex supplement a try and see the difference! Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770181/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6316433/ https://www.cover-tek.com/which-supplement-do-you-need-b12-vs-b-complex/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/ https://www.preeclampsia.org/signs-and-symptoms https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000339.htm ___ Written by Annie-Eliza Stevens