JumpStart Energy Supplement Review

JumpStart Sample Packets

Jump Start is an energy + mood supplement from Kyle 4 Organics or "Organics Manufacturer.com.

 As their name suggests, Kyle 4 Organics is an organic supplement online store, and also the manufacturer of JumpStart.

I have had the fantastic opportunity to try  different supplements from the JumpStart line:  JumpStart Extreme,  and JumpStart Wow.

JumpStart Wow (orange) and JumpStart Extreme

 I wanted to try them in sample sizes before committing to a full bottle because for one, I wasn't sure if they would actually provide me with the type of mood and energy stimulation I was looking for, and secondly, I really wasn't sure if the Extreme version or regular would be best. I've used them both now and will explain everything, including the results and differences. 

What drew me to Organics Manufacturer when looking into an energy/mood stimulant was that while I needed to test out different ones to find the right one for me, I knew that safe, natural ingredients were a must. The ingredients in the JumpStart supplements are actually quite impressive (I will get to that in a moment) and I find that they work very well for my needs.

JumpStart Extreme -- Red Capsules.

The difference between JumpStart and JumpStart Extreme and JumpStart Wow!:

Basically, as you probably guessed, both supplements are about the same thing with the same ingredients, but one is designed to be more well, extreme. For when you need an even bigger energy boost. The Extreme version of JumpStart just contains a higher amount of the active ingredients.

JumpStart Wow is designed to give you the same effect (energy, mood), but is designed to help decrease appetite and burn fat.

Aside from that, the label say to expect:

•  Super energy levels
• Elevated mood and confidence
• Decreased appetite

Suggested Dosage:

Each capsule contains 820mg,

JumpStart Extreme: The label recommends taking 2 capsules with plenty of water and a snack 20 minutes afterwards.

JumpStart (Regular): Also 2 capsules with water and a snack, for the average person. This is the recommended starting dose. The label says you can increase after you've gotten used to them. 

JumpStart Wow: 2 Capsules with water and a snack.

Note:  Organics Manufacturer recommends fruit as a snack because it "enhances the effects and prevents possible stomach irritation."

I've never had any fruit on hand while taking JumpStart or I would have tried it.

As for me, I started with one capsule whether I was taking the JumpStart regular or JumpStart Extreme. I didn't want to over-do it and end up with the shakes or stomach discomfort, which can happen. 

There have been days when I've taken 2-3 capsules throughout the day (3 max), but never all at once as one capsule does just fine for me, and anymore would likely give me stomach discomfort.

Since JumpStart comes in capsule form, they are easy to swallow, and I usually notice the effects within 10-20 minutes tops. I've never taken one of these JumpStart capsules and not gotten any results, so they're pretty mighty little suckers, and they will certainly put more pep in your step or make you more alert and energetic if you're tired.

What the Label Says to Expect:  

• Increased energy boost (in balance)
• Enhanced focus
• Enhanced stamina and performance
• Heightened sense of well-being
• Increased ATP production
• Increased carbohydrate conversion into energy
• Increased oxygen utilization

My Experience and Results: 

 JumpStart shares number 1 on my absolute favorite energy supplements -- and there are only 3 favorites. 

I happened to like JumpStart equally as much as my all-time, top favorite energy supplement ever. Never thought I'd say that!  

Among those three favorites of mine, all of them are natural, herbal-based supplements and work better than anything I have ever tried & if you guys have been following my posts for long, you know I have used a lot of energy products. 

I worried that JumpStart would give me similar effects as Stackers or Yellow Jackets -- which I've never loved. Those make me feel awful!

Me on speed (image source: wwwandyco-andy.blogspot.com )

The stimulation/energy I get from taking JumpStart is very different from that of a Stacker or Yellow Jacket.

 One way to explain it is, I don't feel like I've done 

some kind of speed.

 I feel balanced, somewhat more pleasant, calmer headed and like doing more.

The effects usually aren't intense, but incredibly noticeable. I can go from being dead exhausted to actually feeling like doing some activity for a few hours before I start feeling the exhaustion come through again. 

Image source: FamousQuotesAbout.com

I don't know if this makes sense, but I describe the energy from JumpStart as a nice, "clean," energy that stimulates and kind of wakes up my mind.  

For me, it's my mind-exhaustion that can get me down the most. It effects a lot of my work and just happiness in general, so I got on this kick to try and change things around (and have taken so many different supplements for it) and that's where I came across Jump Start Energy.

I'd tried energy drinks, foods and supplements that made me feel jittery and talkative, but they never did exactly what I needed -- a brain wake up! That is why I'm so fond of JumpStart Energy's effects on me.

I notice that my head is clear (and I've not experienced that often in my life!) and I actually can handle work or activity that requires challenging thought processes. 

Me at work, with little energy or calm-mind

Image source: 123rf.com

Me after JumpStart:

Image source: www.blotter-paper.com

And instead of feeling that burst of talkative, jittery energy that I get from caffeine, I feel calm, but energized which I really like because when I was using caffeine-type energy products, I would get short-winded and feel dizzy and lightheaded, or just icky when I'd get to doing  strenous activity,  but JumpStart doesn't do that to me.

 I'll get more work done and be more energized and feel like doing it, and that's what I like -- feeling like doing things. I always do my best when I feel it. Does that make sense to anyone but me?

As for the increased endurance and stamina -- yes. I notice that as I'm able to do more work (say housework, minimal exercise, or other similar activity) and feel like completing it without getting all tired out before I'm done. I'd say I'm more productive with JumpStart.

On the other hand, it doesn't give me the stamina and endurance as, say, Maca powder to the point where I can get in a tough, extreme workout on my fitness pole for much longer than I usually get in on a typical day. 

Now to the ingredients and what they do, so we have a better understanding of how JumpStart Energy works:

•  DL-Phenylalanine:    A 1985 study found that DLPA improved the mood and mood stability of subjects with attention deficit disorder, and claimed that phenylalanine can increase mental alertness (Grevet et al. 2002.)

•  L-Tyrosine:  Tyrosine has been tested on humans for increasing their endurance to anxiety and stress under fatigue. It was proven in research studies that tyrosine supplementation results in increased performance over a control group (Avraham et al. 2001).

•  Rhodiola Rosea: I've taken this supplement in its pure form, too with great results. 

Rhodiola Rosea, like Maca, is an adaptogen, which you know if you read my recent Maca post, helps your body deal with stress. 

However, Rhodiola works differently in the body when combined with other herbs like Siberian Ginseng (also in the JumpStart Supplements.) Together, it's possible that the two provide a "therapeutic alternative to established adaptogens.

• Siberian Ginseng: Also an adaptogenic. Enhances sexual and athletic performance and is an immune system-booster. 

In fact, in every energy supplement I take on a frequent-regular basis, I always make sure it contains Siberian Ginseng (and sometimes Korean and other species, too.) That's because I love the energy it provides.

•  Schizandra: A stimulating herb used to treat chronic fatigue.
  

• Guarana : A stimulant and appetite suppresant that contains a lot of caffeine. Helps maintain stamina and physical endurance.
  

• JumpStart also contains  Magnesium, Vitamin B3, B6, B12, C

(Source where I found those bits of information: Organics Manufacturer)

If you visit the link above, you can read even more detailed information about each of the ingredients in the JumpStart supplements. 

ATP Production and What it Does For Us

 

 Another reason I was very drawn to  JumpStart Energy is because it increases ATP (Adenosine Trisphosphate) production, which upon researching to learn more about how to change my energy levels mentally and physically, as well as learning how to overcome melancholy, I read that ATP production is required for everything we do including thinking, walking, talking, etc. and that it is the only source of energy that our body can use.

ATP, as far as my understanding goes, is basically our primary source of power and energy. ATP is also used to increase muscle strength and endurance.

Here is a piece on NCBI talking about a study done on the effects of a supplement designed to increase ATP Levels on muscle strength, power, output, endurance. 

It basically states that there wasn't enough information to conclude that an increase in ATP levels effected things such as strength and endurance. However, I've heard so many people who use ATP increasing supplements religiously and successfully for those exact uses (muscle strength, endurance, etc).

Take Iron Man magazine, for example. They stated that any supplement containing ATP should (theoretically) result in "increased energy during high-intensity exercise like body-building training."

They also mention a study done where 5 mg per kilogram of body weight of an oral ATP supplement, and that it led to an increase in ATP production. They later mention the study done on humans, which did not suggest the same, for humans.

However, like I said, talking to people who have used ATP will tell you that they do notice a difference in some area or another. For instance, energy levels. I experience that from taking a supplement (JumpStart) that contains ATP. 

Side Effect

Now, the only "side effect" I experience when I take Jumpstart (besides the feel good energy) has been a slight stomach discomfort. 

The only thing I don't like is that there have been a few times when I did experience slight stomach discomfort, although it is always temporary (lasting only a few minutes, never longer). 

Keep in mind that this only happened when I take JumpStart upon first waking up. Just like coffee upsets my stomach if I drink it upon waking (not sure why it effects me that way.) But any time later after first waking up, neither JumpStart nor coffee give me any trouble.

My stomach tends to be very sensitive though, so I'm pretty happy that I can take JumpStart without it causing me real stomach issues.

Also important to note is that I didn't eat any fruit, but did counteract the slight discomfort with a bland snack like a cookie. 

The "discomfort" I experience is best described as slight stomach gurgling, if that makes sense. It just seems that my stomach is a little more active and I feel it, but it isn't anything painful or bothersome enough that I can't go on about my day by no means. It's also not so bothersome that it prevents me from continuing to take JumpStart, and happily. In this case, the benefits far outweigh the possible, occasional discomfort, for me.

Does JumpStart Cause Crashing?

Besides being natural, safe and very effective, I also love that there is not any crash for me after I take JumpStart! Even if it's worn off and I'm dead tired, I don't feel any crashing effects at all.

Image source: www.whicheb5.com

Organics Manufacturer products, like the JumpStart supplements are NON-GMO, gluten and soy free, and use no artificial ingredients or preservatives.

If you haven't ever heard of, or ordered from Kyle 4 Organics or Organics Manufacturer, I recommend starting with their "Company" page to learn more about them, their mission, their natural supplements and how they operate.

So, which energy supplements are your favorites? Do you guys use JumpStart, too? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!

Wish Garden Herbs Serious Relaxer

 

Wish Garden Herbs is an Herbal Remedy manufacturer that supplies herbal concoctions for everything and everyone. 

  

Serious Relaxer is an herbal concoction that's good for muscle tension as it helps to support tight, painful muscles and joints. Serious Relaxer has a number of benefits, but the main ones are for relaxation, joint and muscle relief. It also helps support natural sleep cycles. Serious Relaxer has a calming effect on the body, so it can be used before bedtime to help with sleep.It's also a wonderful remedy for anxiety and nervousness, insomnia and more. Other benefits one might notice could be those of the urinary tract, help with headaches and more.

Serious Relaxer is also a wonderful remedy to help with menstrual pain, IBS pains and insmonia. 6 of the ingredients are known to help with insomnia and sleeplessness. At least 2 of the ingredients in Serious Relaxer are known as anti-spasmodics. A few of them are also helpful for intestinal and digestive problems, so this is why I say it's great for IBS, and because it's helped my own! I will go into more detail about what each ingredient can do later.  5 of the ingredients are known to help decrease emotional tension and stress. Many of the ingredients are also diuretics. It's a wonderful alternative to sleep-aids and I find that it often does the trick for me almost as good as Unisom, and equally so if I take more than 2 drops!

This is a photo of the herbal remedy Serious Relaxer. Like most liquid herbs, it has a caramel color. Serious Relaxer is a thin liquid.

Using the glass dropper, you can easily measure out the amount of drops you want to add. 

How to use Serious Relaxer:

Add two to three (2-3) droppers in water or under the tongue as needed. If necessary, you can repeat after five minutes for full effect.

Taste


I am not going to say I've come to love and crave the taste of these bitter herbs, but they are not horrible & by mixing it into a drink or placing a few drops under my tongue and quickly chasing it with something like Dr. Pepper makes it more tolerable. The effects of Serious Relaxer are so worth the funky taste! I think it would do well in an herbal tea or black tea since those are kind of flavor-rich. I can even handle it in a medium-large glass of water, but drinking a large glass means I'll be up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. So for me, under the tongue works nicely. 

The aroma is really sweet, but also bitter at the same time. On my tongue, the taste is very sweet at first, and then I get a little "bite" of pepper or bitter-ness. It's very strong, but the taste quickly goes away after a few moments or quickly with a drink of water... or something stronger. 


I almost want to say it's a cinnamon taste, but it's much stronger than that. I just don't know quite how to describe it. It's one of the easiest to taste of herbal concoctions I have tried.

Ingredients in Serious Relaxer:

Active Ingredients: Wood Betony aerials, Wild Lettuce aerials, Valerian Root, Black Cohosh Root, Passionflower aerials, Scullcap aerials, Ginger root, Hops strobiles.

Other Ingredients: Apple Cider Vinegar, vegetable glycerine and organic, gluten-free alcohol.

Now, I want to discuss a little more about these awesome ingredients in Serious Relaxer! 

Wood Betony aerials: Also a mild sedative, it can relieve nervous stress and emotional tension. Promotes calmness, relaxation and supports nervous system. Wood Betony has astringent, nervine and bitter tonic properties. Has numerous uses including treatment of many physical diseases, pre-menstrual issues, alleviate menstrual pains, helps with urinary disorders,  diarrhea, throat, mouth and gum irritations, headaches, anxiety, etc. Wood Betony is pretty much a panacea in that it's been used to treat and help with so many ailments. It may help lower blood pressure. It boosts liver function and stimulates the digestive system. It also has a cleansing effect on the system, which is one reason people use the herb Wood Betony. 

Wood Betony is often used externally as well, to heal wounds and bruises. It can be used in the mouth as a gargle to help with inflammation of the tissues, throat issues, ulcers and gum problems.

Wild Lettuce aerials:  Mild sedative, anti-spasmodic and andodyne. Wild Lettuce aerials are used for spasmodic coughs and smoker coughs. In combination with the other active ingredient herbs in Serious Relaxer, Wild Lettuce aerials enhance the effects, causing the stuff to be helpful for anxiety, nervousness, nervous headache and insomnia. Wild Lettuce is known for its diuretic, hypnotic, digestive, sedative  and narcotic properties. This could be one reason why the Serious Relaxer is so good for pain. It's also been used in the treatment of swelling of the liver, flatulence and urinary tract ailments.

Valerian Root: A gentle tranquilizer. Relaxes the muscles. Was used by primeval Greeks to cure nausea and flatulence as well as urinary and pre-menstrual problems. In fact, they used it to "hasten the menstrual period!"  It was prescribed over 1,800 years ago for insomnia. It was also used as a diuretic, a remedy for intestinal and menstrual pain. It was used for nervous problems and even depression. Valerian Root can help relieve stress, insomnia and anti-spasmodic. It can help with cramps that occur in the abdomen and uterine. It's also been used to treat anxiety, emotional stress and tension. It's also been used to relieve IBS pains, headaches and bronchial spasms or persistant coughs.

Much like the other herbs, Valerian is also on external pains including joint and muscle aches.

Black cohosh Root:  Has sleep-inducing & sedative properties.Used to treat ailments such as sore throat, uterine issues and respiratory tract infection. It has been used to stimulate menstrual flow, cough suppresant, diuretic, anti-diarrheal. Has shown to be helpful for some gynecological issues. It's been found to lower blood pressure in rabbits and cats, but a study showed the result did not occur in dogs! Interesting. Humans showed some peripheral vasodilation. It was shown to be decrease menopausal symptoms. It's also been used to help with menstruals pains, depression, stomach pain, arthritis,etc. It is believed that Black Cohosh deceases the production of progesterone in the ovaries. People have reported improvements from excessive sweating, headache, vertigo, etc. Some studies have given the idea that it could be useful for osteoporosis (due to studies on rats that showed the herb affected the serum calcium and phosphate levels over their bone mineral density.) It's believed to balance the levels of estrogen and so much more. 

Passionflower aerials: Also has sedative, pain-killing and calming properties. An anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory. Used to reduce stress, panic, help anxiety, colic, muscle pain, asthma, muscle twitching, Parkinson's disease, shingles, migraine, hot flashes, cough, headaches, sciatica, abdominal pain. Improves blood circulation. Relieves tooth pain, menstrual pains, sleeplessness, muscle cramps.

Skullcap aerials: Has tranquilizing effects when combined with Valerian. Helps with muscular contractions,convulsions, menstrual contractions and  tremors. It's very helpful for the nervous system and helps with stress, insomnia, tension, anxiety, panic, headaches, depression, epilepsy. Has been used to heal patients who've been bitten by a venomous snake. Used for insect stings, rabies.

Ginger root: Used to improve "women's problems," Ginger has a healing effect on the female organs and instestines. Also used for sluggish metabolism, stress, bloating, morning sickness, and to promote healing of the uterus. Healing effects on the reproductive and digestive system because it stimulates circulation and supports blood supply to them.

Active Ingredients: Wood Betony aerials, Wild Lettuce aerials, Valerian root, Black Cohosh root, Passionflower aerials, Scullcap aerials, Ginger root, Hops strobiles - See more at: http://www.wishgardenherbs.com/herbal-remedies/Serious-Relaxer-Muscle-Tension-478#sthash.peiVSxH3.dpuf

Active Ingredients: Wood Betony aerials, Wild Lettuce aerials, Valerian root, Black Cohosh root, Passionflower aerials, Scullcap aerials, Ginger root, Hops strobiles - See more at: http://www.wishgardenherbs.com/herbal-remedies/Serious-Relaxer-Muscle-Tension-478#sthash.peiVSxH3.dpuf

Hops Strobiles: The same flowers used in beer. These have been used to help with sleeping, to treat anxiety, tensions, restlessness ADHD, excitability, nervousness, indigestion, irritability and more for years. Other uses for Hops: prostate, breast and ovarian cancer, tuberculosis, high cholesterol, intestinal cramps, bladder infections, colitis, ulcers, etc.

Hops has antibacterial properties. It can cause sleepiness/drowsiness, and Serious Relaxer will likely do this to most of us, so remember that! I definitely make sure it's near bed time before I ever take it. It is great for times when I'm having trouble sleeping & it sure beats using the harmful OTC or Rx drugs!

A little about Wish Garden Herbal Remedies:

Wish Garden Herbs are made by their staff of trained herbalists, and they use only certified organic and wild-harvested, quality-tested ingredients.

"WishGarden Herbal Remedies is an independent, woman-owned, family-run, community-conscious business devoted to helping people achieve health and balance through the use of natural medicinal botanicals, oils, salves, and teas. Our corporate headquarters, as well as the customer service center and distribution facility, is located in Boulder, Colorado."

PS. At the moment, for the month of June, Wish Garden Herbs is having a 10% off on select products as well as free shipping on domestic orders over $15. 

Review for Maybelline Plush Volume Express

 Hello my little sexy kittens (or puppies, if you prefer), I am going to just share a brief bit of my opinion on this new drug store mascara -- Maybelline The Mega Plush Volume Express. If you're a regular mascara-wearer like me, you've probably used and/or been overwhelmed with Maybelline's constant out putting of these new mascaras that never seem to be improved. 

 Maybelline started this Volume Express line a long time ago. They use colorful, beautiful colored tubes to draw our attention and make it real hard to grab the cheaper, less pretty gray tube when you have all kinds of metallic purple and turquoise to choose from. Thing is, Maybelline seems to be focusing only on targeting their customers with pretty packaging, but not delivering a product worthy of the price tag.

  You guys may recall my review long ago when the Maybelline Falsies first came out. I was not impressed, and I've yet to find many women who were. Yet again though, I was lured in by the pretty purple bottle! Damn them! Or damn myself for being that easy?

  Anyways, most of us felt like Maybelline gave us the wrong impression with the Falsies mascara. It didn't do much more than your cheap mascara does, but the brush was easy to work with.

  I personally like that vibrating mascara the most, but only because the forumla is really good and the brush gives awesome lashes. I like mine HUGE and seperated, and the vibrating kind did well, but was too expensive to keep buying. 

  Now I seen this tube of the new Maybelline Plush mascara and immediately kicked myself because I knew I was falling into the pretty color trap again. I did, and yes it is another trap, indeed. But I justified this decision while walking to the checkout line by telling myself 'well, it's entirely possible that Maybelline has actually succeeded on this Plush mascara.'

  Damn them! Or damn me? Again!

  
  I've no been fighting with using this blasted Plush mascara. "It'll give flexible lashes with no crunchy stiffness," they said. "it has a flexible brush that makes it oh, so much easier to apply," they said. "It'll rock your F'n world and you'll never want to use another mascara again," they said. Nevermind, they didn't say that part, but they damn well implied it!

 Non-stiff lashes apparently means a funky formula that somehow ends up all over my face leaving little black flecks that are impossbile to get off! I've never encountered anything like this, and for the life of me, I don't know how it happens, but after applying the mascara, I notice this black substance randomly strewn about my eye lids and undereye area.

  That is a pain! I don't know why the mascara does this, but it's more trouble than any, and I'll take stiff, crunchy Falsie's lashes any day over this. 

  A couple hours of wearing this and each day I see the black mess in my eyelid crease and then just a little under my eye where I guess the stuff seeps off or something? No idea.

  Another complaint I have about it is it's really tough to wash off! You know most mascara, when you're applying and happened to jab yourself elsewhere like on the eyelid, you take a finger and quickly rub it off? Mine always rubs right off. This does not. It's evil. It stays and stays and at one point while scrubbing my poor eyelids with the third makeup remover I own, I could've sworn the black streak laughed at me.

  And while we're talking about the complications of removing this disasterous mascara, I'm going to go ahead and tell you -- this is NOT waterproof! So unless you seriously don't want to remove the stuff, do not even get the waterproof because the non-waterproof is this hard to get off.

 However, warm water and some type of makeup remover will remove enough of it off so that it's not terribly noticeable, but even when I've been sure I removed it all, I'll see this damn black substance forming in my crease all over again! 

  It seems to come off the eye lashes a little easier than the surrounding skin, but my lashes feel.. I don't know thick, greasy and stuck together? You know when you've not totally removed waterproof mascara and it leaves your lashes feeling that way? This does that.

  About the promising brush -- it doesn't even flex unless you're being really hard on it, like using two hands to intentionally bend the wand! So that part was useless, and made the brush just the same as any other. Another claim that Maybelline stuck on the package so you think you're getting something "upgraded" from their last crap product.

  Today is about 2 weeks I've been stuck using this. I went through my regular scrub-it-off ritual and went to apply my sparkles for eyeshadow. I'm seeing mini disco balls right now since I'm wearing sparkles on my eyelids, but they aren't happy. They're dark smokey tinted! Yes, that pissed me off because no matter what there's this dark colored residue that keep just reappearing out of nowhere. So my pretty holographic eyeshadow has a bit of a gray tint to it. Not a happy camper. This means it'll do the same to eyeshadow colors.

I was dumb to buy it because now there's no way my cheap ass will go out and buy a new, better mascara before I've totally used this one. I just can't do that. I'm cheap! And this is not, not in my opinion. It's $6 at Wal-Mart. Maybe, just maybe if your local Dollar store carries this kind, it may be sold there for $5 something, but if you're stuck on buying one of these Maybelline, pretty tubed mascaras, go with Falsies! It's better than this.

  Also, there was a newer version of the blue and purple Falsies. It was purple, but had black text on the tube, and had a lace design on the package. Can't remember the name because with so many different "versions" of every mascara, it's hard to even tell em' apart at this point. But I hated the black Falsies version even more than the original Falsies, so if that's any indication, leave it and stick with the original Falsies.

  Is it an absolutely terrible product? No, but almost. In all honesty, the trouble is just too much for someone who wears mascara (and a lot of it) daily. It's not as convenient as others out there since it turns your lids messy and black. It doesn't come off as easily. So unless you use only a few quick strokes of mascara, this won't be your BFF. However, if you do only use a few quick brush strokes, you're better off going with a cheap product anyway as this isn't going to do anything more for you.




So, ladies, gentlemen, gentlefish? What is your experience with this stuff? Any different from mine? Did you have plush, plump and eye-batting worthy lashes when using this? Or was it an epic fail for you too?

Share with me. Did anyone else notice this weird black substance keep reapearring? Somebody, please, please save my pretty eyelids! :)