EZ Melts Health Blog

Reading Time: 2 minutes S-Adenosyl methionine, commonly known as SAM-e, is a naturally occurring compound found in every cell of the body. It plays a crucial role in various biochemical processes, particularly in liver function and cognitive health.  This article explores the potential benefits of SAM-e and why supplementation might be considered.Today we're going to focus on how it can potentially support your liver health and cognitive function, and why a supplement might be beneficial as you age. Liver Health and SAM-e Let's start with your liver, the organ that's constantly filtering out toxins and keeping you alive. SAM-e may be a key player in supporting liver health for a few reasons: Detoxification support: SAM-e helps produce and regulate glutathione, often called the body's "master antioxidant." Glutathione help your liver neutralize harmful substances more effectively. Cell membrane health: SAM-e aids in the production of phosphatidylcholine, a crucial component of cell membranes. This can help maintain the overall health and function of liver cells. Bile flow: Some studies suggest SAM-e might encourage bile flow, which is essential for breaking down fats and eliminating waste products. Support liver cells: Research has shown that SAM-e might help protect liver cells from damage caused by certain medications or alcohol abuse. Cognitive Health and SAM-e Now, let's talk about how SAM-e might give your brain a helping hand: Mood regulation: SAM-e is involved in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These chemicals play a crucial role in mood regulation, which is why some people use SAM-e supplements to support mental health. Cognitive function: Some studies suggest that SAM-e might support memory recall and cognitive performance, especially in older adults. Neuroprotection: SAM-e's antioxidant properties might support brain cells from oxidative stress and damage. Brain cell membrane health: Just like with liver cells, SAM-e supports the production of phosphatidylcholine, which is important for brain cell membrane health. Why Consider a SAM-e Supplement? Now, you might be wondering, "If my body already makes SAM-e, why would I need a supplement?" Great question! Here are a few reasons why some people choose to supplement with SAM-e: Age-related decline: As we get older, our body's natural SAM-e production can decrease. Certain health conditions: Some liver diseases, depression, or other health issues might affect SAM-e levels. Lifestyle factors: Poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, or chronic stress might impact your body's ability to produce or utilize SAM-e effectively. Potential therapeutic benefits: Some people use SAM-e supplements to support liver health, mood, or cognitive function under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Before You Buy SAM-e Supplements Before you rush out to buy SAM-e supplements, keep in mind that while research is promising, more studies are needed to fully understand its effects.  It's always a good idea to chat with your doctor before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications. Also, quality matters when it comes to supplements. Look for reputable brands that use good manufacturing practices and third-party testing. Conclusion SAM-e is a compound of significant interest in the fields of hepatology and neuroscience. Its potential to support liver function and cognitive health makes it a subject of ongoing research.  While SAM-e supplementation may offer benefits for some individuals, it should be approached with caution and under professional guidance.  As with any lifestyle change, SAM-e supplementation should be considered as part of a comprehensive approach to wellness, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management.

Reading Time: 3 minutes Have you ever found yourself in a high-pressure situation, whether it be a job interview or a nerve-wracking presentation, and felt like you might freeze up on the spot? We’ve all been there! If you're someone who struggles to keep their cool in these kinds of situations, don't worry - you're not alone. Pressure can be hard to deal with, but learning how to keep your cool in these situations is an important life skill. Here are 5 practical hacks that will help you stay calm and collected in any "pressure cooker" situation. Take a Deep Breath Everyone always says this, and yeah, it can be annoying when you're already stressed and anxious, but why do we encourage deep breathing? When we're feeling anxious, our breathing tends to become shallow and rapid, which only makes the situation worse. Deep, intentional breathing works to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, calming the body and allowing you to relax. Taking slow, deep breaths also helps to lower your heart rate and give you a moment of clarity when everything else feels like it's spinning out of control. If you're a beginner to intentional breathwork like deep breathing, use an app that helps you count your breaths or try a breathing exercise like the box breath, a.k.a. the 4x4 method. Learn how to easily master this technique here. Hitting pause in an intense moment and controlling your breath for even a few minutes can promote a sense of calm in the moment of experiencing high stress and help your body physically relax. Find an Anchor Point An anchor point can be anything from a physical object to a phrase that has a special meaning for you. It could be a rock from your last family beach trip or a small fidget toy. The idea is to bring your attention back to this anchor whenever things start getting overwhelming or you feel like you're going to lose focus. If you don't have an object with you to hold, it could be something as simple as touching your thumb and index finger together or repeating a mantra in your head (whatever works best for you!). This will help ground yourself so that instead of being caught up in the whirl of any high-stress situation. Visualize Success Visualization work and manifestation aren’t magic; it’s science! Imagining a future situation where the outcome is positive can help the mind to unwind and manifest said outcome. This is because your brain actually doesn’t know the difference between reality and imagining a situation is happening when it reacts with emotion. For example, if you think of a highly stressful or embarrassing moment in your life, you start to feel anxious or upset. Luckily, this physical and emotional response can happen in positive situations as well!  Before heading into any situation that makes you feel anxious, take a few moments to visualize yourself succeeding in the task at hand. Imagine yourself confidently and successfully completing the task. How do you feel when you succeed? If you can bring up feelings of confidence and composure, you can carry it into whatever situation you are facing. This in turn will actually help you to succeed. SAM-e for Mood Short for S-adenosylmethionine, SAM-e is a naturally occurring molecule that promotes the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Studies have shown that taking SAM-e supplements can support a more even mood, which is helpful in times of stress. If you're someone who tends to get easily agitated or anxious in high-pressure situations, SAM-e might be worth trying. L-Theanine for Relaxation L-Theanine is an amino acid found in green tea and other natural sources. Studies have shown that it can support lower levels of cortisol production, which is your stress hormone (Fight or flight, anyone?). Lower levels of cortisol make it easier for your mind and body to unwind and stay calm. L-Theanine can be taken as a daily supplement to help promote a sense of ease so you can keep your cool the next time you're feeling pressure to perform. Conclusion High-pressure situations can be tough to manage and get through with grace, but there are strategies you can use to keep your cool.  Taking a few moments to regulate your breathing, holding an anchor point, and having a mantra to work with can all be helpful strategies. For further daily mood support, you might want to also add supplements to your routine. With these tactics in your toolkit, you'll be better prepared to navigate pressure situations without losing control — remember to listen to your body and determine what works best for you.

Reading Time: 4 minutes Do you ever find yourself exhausted after a day at work, even though you feel like you haven't accomplished much? Or maybe you're feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of responsibilities and tasks that you have to juggle each day. If so, it might be time to consider if you’re burnt out. Burnout can affect us all in different ways, but it’s important to know when your body is telling you it needs some rest. We’ll show you the physical and mental signs of burnout as well as strategies for coping and recharging. Recognizing Burnout: Physical and Mental Symptoms Burnout can be a tricky beast to identify because it often sneaks up on us without us noticing. It’s important to recognize the physical and mental signs of burnout so we can take steps to practice self-care and restore our energy levels. Burnout can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Changes in sleeping patterns are often one of the first signs of burnout. If you find yourself waking up several times each night or having difficulty falling asleep despite being exhausted from work or school, this could be a sign that your body is telling you it needs rest. Similarly, if you’re unable to stay awake during the day or feeling more tired than usual despite getting enough sleep at night, this could also be an indication that something is off balance. Burnout can also cause fatigue, low mood, and irritability - feelings that come with a sense of being overwhelmed. You may feel like no matter how much you do there’s always more on your plate. This overwhelm can make it difficult to focus and concentrate on any task for more than a few minutes at a time, Also, your motivation might disappear entirely, or you may notice yourself becoming irritated with small things that normally wouldn’t bother you. Physical symptoms are another common sign of burnout: headaches or stomach issues may start to appear more frequently if our bodies aren't getting enough rest and relaxation. Recognizing when our bodies need rest is essential for avoiding burnout in the long run. By taking note of any physical or mental changes that might point towards exhaustion before they become too severe, we can then use the strategies below to curb the issue. Strategies for Coping and Recharging After Burnout Happens It’s much better to catch the signs of burnout before you feel unable to continue with your daily activities, but being tuned into your body is the only way to know the signs before they get out of hand. If you don’t catch yourself early with the above burnout symptoms, use these tips to get yourself back up and running. Set Boundaries: One of the key components of preventing burnout is setting boundaries between work and personal life. Create specific rules for yourself such as not checking emails after 8 pm or taking a full day off from work on weekends. While these rules may seem simple, they are essential for creating balance in your life. It is also important to communicate these boundaries to colleagues, friends, and family so they understand how you prioritize your time. Identify & Reduce Stressors: Identifying sources of stress in your life can help you reduce overall stress levels. Make a list of activities or tasks that cause you stress or anxiety and then assess which ones are necessary and which can be eliminated from your schedule or delegated to someone else. Additionally, find ways that you can adjust your environment or workflow to reduce potential triggers of stress. For instance, if noise levels in the office make it hard for you to concentrate, ask if there are any quiet spaces available for working. Take Regular Breaks: It’s easy to get caught up in our work when we have deadlines looming; however, it’s important to take regular breaks throughout the day. Taking short walks during lunchtime or scheduling quick 5-minute breaks every hour will help refresh your mind while also boosting productivity later on. Other break activities could include listening to music, reading a book, meditating, or doing some light exercise like stretching or yoga poses (if possible). Try Supplements: If your main signs of burnout are sleepless nights and fatigue during the day, it could be that your body is too stressed to keep going at full speed. Try quality sleep support supplements like melatonin 30 minutes before bed and mood support for memory and energy support like L-Theanine or SAM-e. To make it even simpler, we’ve curated Sleep Support and Mood Support supplement bundles so it takes the guesswork out of the process of finding the right product for you. Seek Help If Needed: Lastly, if none of these strategies seem effective enough in preventing burnout then don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist or medical professional. They are trained in providing the best advice tailored specifically for you toward reducing burnout symptoms and helping you balance your full plate moving forward. Following these tips will allow you to practice self-care while avoiding feelings of guilt over taking time away from work when needed. Creating a healthy work-life balance and understanding your limits is key to long-term success and avoiding burnout down the line. The EZ Melts Difference If you’re looking to support your best work-life balance and avoid burnout and exhaustion as much as possible, try out a new supplement routine in addition to the tips above. Our Sleep Support and Mood Support collections are a great way to make your mental and physical wellness a no-brainer. Our vitamins are non-GMO, vegan, sugar-free, and free from the nine most common allergens. We support the planet with the ingredients we use in our supplements. We make it EZ to get the nutrition you need with our fast-melting supplements. And with our subscription service, it’s even easier to take care of yourself. Use code EZ30 at checkout to save 30% off your first subscription.

Read Time: 3 minutes There are distractions everywhere, it seems, especially when you need to focus on something that takes concentration and brain power.  Concentration is an ongoing practice that takes discipline, much like building muscle, but it can be tough with too many things that want our attention.  There are so many tempting distractions all around us, especially in today’s world where we go through our day with an entire array of apps, news, alerts, games, and screens at our fingertips.  If you’re looking for ways to build your concentration muscle, look no further! Check out these helpful tips below. Taking Breaks You need to give yourself a break. It is important to get your daily to-do list out of the way, but you also need to relax your mind and body occasionally. Science shows that breaks can increase your productivity and improve your attention span. Take a break when you've been working on something too long. Get up and walk around for a few minutes, stretch, or go for a short run outside. It's also important for you to take time out of your day and recharge by doing things that you enjoy. Try meditating or doing yoga, taking up a new hobby, spending time with friends and family, or just sitting down with a good book on the weekend. Consistency Create a consistent environment where you know you can be productive, and your mind knows it's time to focus. When you're trying to concentrate on your work, it's best if you can find a space where you won't be distracted by things like noise or clutter. Try to keep your desk free of clutter and well-lit.  If possible, try working in the same place every day so that when it comes time to focus on important tasks, there are no surprises about where you're supposed to go. Meditation Meditation, a practice that has become increasingly popular in recent years, is an excellent way to improve your concentration. In meditation, you focus on one thing for a period of time. This could be counting breaths or taking note of how the air feels when it comes into your nose and leaves through your mouth.  Some people choose to meditate with their eyes closed while others prefer an external focal point such as an object in the room or even just their breath itself.  The key is to find something that works best for you and then do it consistently over time so that it becomes part of your routine! Vitamins for Brain Power Vitamins are wonderful, but there are certain ones you should try if you’re looking to support your cognitive function: B-Complex: These include B1, B2, B3, and B6. B-Complex supports focus and cognitive processing*. L-Theanine: This amino acid has been shown to support a normal attention span and reduced stress levels*. SAM-e: a natural compound that supports mood balance, sleep quality, and brain health*. Citicoline: a compound that supports memory recall and healthy brain function*. Conclusion Many people who are having trouble concentrating are also dealing with other issues beneath the surface. For example, a healthy diet and exercise can help reduce stress and improve your ability to focus. Finally, finding ways to manage distractions at home or work—for example by closing the door when you need privacy—can help ensure that distractions don't get in the way of your concentration while studying or working. 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.  And with our subscription service, it’s even easier to take care of yourself. Use code EZ30 at checkout to save 30% off your first subscription.

Read Time: 3 minutes Do you want a sharper mind? If so, start by paying attention to what you're putting into your body. Our cognitive health is directly impacted by our diets and lifestyles.  Luckily, a few supplements can help support cognitive (aka brain) function, even if you aren’t sure if you’re getting the right nutrition. This is increasingly important as we age because our mental faculties tend to decline as we get older. This blog post will discuss the top three supplements on the shelves today for brain power, and why they’re trending. Support Quality of Life with SAM-e The first supplement to consider is SAM-e, a powerful compound that has been shown to support overall emotional well-being.* It works by encouraging an increase in the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin.  This powerful compound supports the production of serotonin and dopamine to support  mood and memory.* In addition, it can also encourage lower levels of inflammation in joints and the brain.* Citicoline for Cognition Another great cognitive supplement is citicoline. This powerful compound has been shown to support healthy neurotransmitter activity and cognitive performance.* For example, citicoline has been shown to increase levels of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in brain health and memory formation.* It can also support healthy brain function by encouraging enhanced communication between neurons and supporting the growth of new neural connections.* Citicoline is also a good source of choline, an essential nutrient that is necessary for healthy brain function and neural development.* B-Complex for Brain Health   Finally, the third and final supplement to consider is B-complex. The B vitamins play an important role in brain health, as it encourages healthy energy levels and  neurotransmitter production.* B-vitamins are essential for maintaining healthy brain function as we age because they can support lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress.* By reducing these factors, you’re helping to support a sharp, focused mind for years to come.* Some specific B-vitamins that are particularly important for cognitive function include B12, folate, niacin, and riboflavin. Folate supports protect a strong mind, defends against atrophy and promotes the growth of neural connections necessary for brainpower.* Niacin can help to enhance blood flow to the brain, which is important for promoting healthy neural function and preventing cognitive decline.* And finally, riboflavin has been shown to boost energy levels in the brain, and support overall brain health by enhancing focus and concentration.* And with the right supplementation regimen in place, you can look forward to the likelihood of strong mental clarity and vitality. B-12 is essential for functions beyond just your mind, and being mindful by taking a supplement can further support your best life.  And if you're a vegan or vegetarian, take notice, because B-12 is found in animal products, so it's even more important to take a supplement if you follow a plant-based diet. EZ Melt Supplements —Subscribe and Save With the right regimen in place, you can look forward to the likelihood of strong mental clarity and vitality. Whether you're looking for SAM-e, citicoline, or a B-complex, you can't go wrong with any of these powerful cognition-enhancing compounds. However, a lot of supplements aren’t vegan, so finding a quality supplement that fits your diet is essential.  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.  With our subscription service, you’ll never have to worry about running out of the supplements you need! Use code EZ30 at checkout to save 30% off your first subscription.    *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Read Time: 4 minutes Nootropics are on a fast rise in health & wellness, and for a good reason. Besides just being fun to say, nootropics are a family of natural or synthetic substances which enhance cognitive and physical functioning.  The first nootropic was developed in 1960 by a chemist and psychologist to address motion sickness. From there, so many new cognitive enhancers have been discovered.  You might be taking one every day and not know it. For example, caffeine is a nootropic that improves physical and mental performance for short periods of time.  Nootropics, like L-theanine, SAM-e, citicoline, and B-complex vitamins, support healthy blood circulation and cognitive functioning through neural pathways in the brain.   Nootropics are beneficial when you take them regularly and sometimes in combination with one another and are safely available over-the-counter.    The Main Benefits of Taking Nootropics Nootropics have so many great benefits. Here are just a few: Supports brain function and anti-aging processes Enhances focus and short-term memory  Promotes feelings of calm, ease, and motivation Optimizes brain cells for healthy production of energy Promotes healthy blood flow to the brain Improves attention performance on tasks Supports faster cognition speed Each nootropic is unique and has different properties. Check out our four favorites below.   L-Theanine Amino acids are often found in natural sources like matcha and supplements. Studies have shown many benefits to taking L-theanine, such as immune system support, clarity of mind, and lower levels of mental strain.  The best part is that L-theanine is a safe way to support relaxation and ease of mind without drowsiness—a bonus if you take it during the day.   Citicoline Citicoline is being studied for its potential as a better, non-toxic alternative to choline. It was originally used in Europe and Japan to support memory, brain function, and help people who had experienced strokes.  It may support cognitive function because it encourages the production of phosphatidylcholine, a brain chemical important for cognitive function.    SAM-e SAM-e has neuroprotective qualities that may support mental wellness and clarity. This is because SAM-e helps the body to make chemicals and neurotransmitters that may help with moderating symptoms of stress. It’s approved in Spain, Germany, and Italy as a prescription drug for depression and anxiety. However, it can also interact with other antidepressants and medical conditions, so talk to a medical professional before taking it if you have mental health disorders.    B-Complex B vitamins are vital for many reasons, especially in supporting cognitive health and brain function—memory, emotions, energy levels, stress, mental clarity, and more.  Unfortunately, many people are deficient in B vitamins, especially vitamins B1, B6, and B12, three vitamins in B-complex. This is in part because B-complex (a combination of all the B vitamins) has to be consumed on a daily basis through our diets. The US diet often lacks nutrients, so a supplement is often needed.  Taking B-complex supplements can encourage the production of neurotransmitters and red blood cells. Researchers believe it may even lessen the risk of severe conditions like dementia and memory loss.    The EZ Melts Difference While you may be able to find nootropics elsewhere, it’s finding quality products that matters when it comes to your health. Make sure you choose a brand that cares about what they put into their supplements as much as you care about what goes into your body! EZ Melts tablets are all zero-sugar, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO, so you know that you are getting effective supplements that won’t cause you harm. Try our supplements here today. Thank you for being a part of the EZ Melts community!  ___ Written by Annie-Eliza Stevens