Staying sharp

Natasha Rudatsenko, Founder and CEO of Health Nag, a leading UAE-bassed nutraceutical brand dedicated to promoting gut health and overall wellness, lists out five health hacks to be a better entrepreneur.

1. Drinking matcha - Matcha provides the perfect combination of caffeine and focus. It should be every entrepreneurs 'go to' beverage for whenever they want to feel alert, focused and incredibly productive. Yes, coffee can be great on the way up when the caffeine kicks in, but what often follows the initial 'good part' is jitters, overstimulation and a crash. The effect of the caffeine withdrawal basically negates any of the productivity gains you had in the first 30 minutes. This is where matcha is great. It contains an amino acid called l-theanine which is incredibly powerful when it comes to cognitive function, focus and problem solving. The release of caffeine into the blood system is more gradual until you reach a pleasant high and then tapers of gently around 6 hours after consuming.
2. Being metabolically flexible - This basically implies that you are not constantly dependant on carbs and glucose in order to keep energy levels high. Today, it's all to common for people to be snacking around the clock in order to keep energy levels up. The reason why so many people feel like they need to eat so frequently to avoid energy slumps is because they are so heavily reliant upon burning glucose for energy. A diet of this nature (sandwiches, cereal, crisps, sweets, sodas) causes huge spikes in blood glucose which is where the rush of energy comes from, however, they will come crashing back down and put you into a hypoglycemic state leaving you in a slump with brain fog and lethagy. Say goodbye to any productive work getting done when you feel like this. Instead, you should fuel yourself the right way.. That means plenty of protein, fibre and healthy fats. This nourishes your body and enables your body to thrive on fat. So guess what....? When there's no food on offer, or when your on an incredibly hectic schedule, you don't need to eat or rush fro a snack because your energy levels are stable as your body is able to tap into fat storage for energy when there is no food coming in. You are burning fat and boosting productivity at the same time - WIN WIN!
3. Investing into blue light blocking glasses - Blue-blocking glasses in the evening help entrepreneurs by filtering out blue light from screens, which can disrupt sleep by suppressing melatonin production. Better sleep leads to improved focus, productivity, and decision-making, making it a valuable health hack for any entrepreneur who wants to make sure they are firing on all cylinders.
4. Going through stages of ketosis - Ketones are your brain's preferred fuel source, they are incredible when it comes to mental clarity and focus. You can achieve this metabolic shift by fasting or periodically following a ketogenic diet. This basically shifts your body from burning glucose for energy, towards burning fat instead. There are no energy lows which come with consuming carbs all of the time. If you are new to the keto diet, then you can supplement with MCT oil in your coffee and matcha to help you transition to burning ketones much quicker. 
5. Take creatine - Creatine is often mistaken for being a supplement which is just for bodybuilders, but it shouldn't be overlooked for it's cognitive benefits. Creatine contributes to ATP production which essentially transports chemical energy within our cells, making sure that our cellular functions are performed optimally, bodily and cognitive functions are optimised. Supplementing with just 5g per day is all you need to experience improved altertness, concentration and memory recall.