The Stampede is here, and as we all know, the city is going to come alive! It is one of my favourite times of the year - I love seeing our city come to life, and people enjoying themselves. I also have some very fond memories of the Stampede. Along with coming alive, people tend to party hard. 

Now, how do you support your body, while partying hard, and not feeling like garbage the next day, and after Stampede is over? I will be providing some really easy tips you can use throughout the week to support your body, and allow you to enjoy this coming week to the fullest. The Foundations of Health will always serve you to support your body; however, these tips will also help specifically for the Stampede. 

1. Hydrate - Make sure you are drinking enough water. Being out and about, in the gorgeous sun, and drinking alcohol will dehydrate you. Drinking water will help your body clean out toxins, and hydrate your body. It will allow your organs to be functioning better by providing them a way to eliminate their metabolites more efficiently - including helping to regulate your bowel movements (Harvard Health Publishing - Harvard Medical School). If you are becoming dehydrated, you can also add some electrolytes to balance the minerals found in your bloodstream. This becomes more important when you drink a large volume of water at one time.

2. N-acetyl-cystine (NAC) - If you have read some of my other blogs, you know how much I love this molecule. It is absolutely amazing, and helps to build up the master antioxidant in your body - glutathione. Glutathione is used in a number of different processes in the body, including the liver, where it is used as a part of Phase I, and Phase II detoxification. These phases bind to toxins that go through your bloodstream, and allow your body to excrete them. 

3. B Complex - B vitamins are used in a number of different processes in your body, they can help provide energy, by being involved in the Kerb's Cycle (eg. Vitamin B1, and B3). Whereas vitamins B12 and folate are known to help with red blood cell development, and as a result, helps with transferring oxygen to the rest of the body, and carbon dioxide out of the body. Vitamin B1 (otherwise known as thiamine) in particular tends to become depleted with increased alcohol consumption. Thiamine is used to help certain enzymes that deal with the breakdown of carbohydrates (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse ad Alcoholism). When there is a deficiency present, the cells are not able to have enough thiamine, which means they have a harder time making energy (ATP), and can cause sub-optimal functioning of the brain. Therefore, taking a B Complex during the Stampede can help protect you from these effects, and allow your body to produce more energy to enjoy it!

Have a wonderful Stampede!

~ Dr. Charmagne