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Wellness + Medical Tips

Yoga Styles For Mind and Body Wellness

In today’s crazy world, we’re all looking for a little more zen in our lives. A natural place to turn? The yoga mat, of course! But, if you’re new to the world of ohhms and up-dogs, you might find yourself wondering a bit about the different types of yoga and which is right for you. From yin to ashtanga, each type of yoga has its own distinct benefits and challenges—and understanding which type best suits you is crucial as you work to find a consistent practice that provides you exactly what you need. Today, then, we’re offering up a quick look at the different types of yoga and the benefits of each. Read on to make your pick. (That’s not to say you can’t practice them all, of course!) 

1. Yin Yoga: Stretch, Relax, Restore, Turn Inward

A style of yoga where you hold passive floor poses for longer periods of time, yin is the most relaxing and restorative option when it comes to the different types of yoga. The music tends to be slow and serene, many teachers opt to bring in essential oils to help heighten relaxation, and lights will often be low. While you certainly aren’t going to burn as many calories as you might in, say, a vinyasa class (more on that below), yin yoga can still present a challenge for anyone who tends to be tight. If you workout regularly and feel the burn of all that lactic acid building up, working in a yin yoga class on your off-days is a great idea. It’s also a perfect practice for anyone who’s desk-bound all day and suffers from a tight lower back and unhappy hips as a result. 

  • Perfect for: Stretching tight muscles, opening up your hamstrings, back, and hips, and finding peace and quiet amongst the current chaos of the world
  • Keep in mind: Because yin involves so many slow-holds and floor poses, you’ll likely want two yoga blocks and a bolster  to use throughout class. (If you don’t have a bolster, a rolled up towel or blanket will do just fine.)

2. Vinyasa Yoga: Strengthen, Sweat, Find Power, Turn off Your Mind

If you’re looking to get into yoga to burn calories and build long, lean muscle, vinyasa is your best option. A style of yoga that links breath to movement, vinyasa requests constant movement from pose-to-pose (guided by nasal inhales and exhales) and some serious strength from its practitioners. Because of this, it requires focus and discipline, making it the perfect option for those who want to turn off their wandering mind and get into their physical body for an hour. (If you’re an over-thinker who has a hard time getting your to-do list off of your mind, you’ll really appreciate the mental break a difficult vinyasa class offers.) When it comes to the different types of yoga, this one tends to be the most physically challenging and, we’ll say it: the most sweaty. You’ll be performing countless chaturangas (a yoga-style push-up) throughout vinyasa classes, so be prepared to feel the burn the next day.

PRO TIP: Vinyasa classes are sometimes just referred to as “flow” classes, and the more difficult vinyasa classes are often listed on a studio’s schedule as “power” classes. If you see a class titled something like “Power flow”, rest-assured it’s bound to be a calorie-burning vinyasa session.

  • Perfect for: Finding moving meditation, building core and arm strength, checking out of your mind, and burning calories
  • Keep in mind: Vinyasa flow classes tend to move quickly, so opt for a beginner-level class if you’re new to this type of yoga. Jumping right into an advanced flow class before you’re ready can cause you to compromise form and end up with an injury.

PRO TIP: Because vinyasa classes aren’t a set sequence, the teacher really drives the energy in a vinyasa class based on the poses she chooses to call. It’s incredibly important you like the person at the front of the room (or, in the world of quarantine, the person on the screen). If you take a vinyasa class that doesn’t quite speak to you, don’t give up on the practice right away. You might just need a different instructor with a different teaching style.

3. Ashtanga Yoga: Find Focus, Build Strength, Create Consistency

A set sequence of postures performed in the same exact order every single time, when it comes to the different types of yoga, ashtanga is all about consistency and breathwork. It’s a type of vinyasa yoga (meaning a type of flow class where breath is linked to movement)—but, unlike a traditional vinyasa class where the poses and order of poses differ every time based on your teacher’s preferences, ashtanga yoga never changes. This makes it a great option for anyone who wants to track their progress, as you can really start to tally your growth as you practice the same sequence week after week. 

  • Perfect for: Creating consistency, finding focus, getting into “the zone” (because the sequence is the same every time, you’ll soon get to a place where you can solely focus on your breath and won’t necessarily need to listen to the teacher’s cues to drive your practice).
  • Keep in mind: The ashtanga set series takes 90 minutes to complete, so it might take a while to build up the endurance you need to get through an entire class. But, as long as you’re on your mat and breathing, you’re technically practicing ashtanga (as it’s all about breathwork)—even if you need to take a break from the actual poses.

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Ready for more everyday goodness? Browse the rest of the CF Nutrition blog for empowering health, wellness, and lifestyle tips. And don’t forget to replenish after a sweaty sesh on your yoga mat with the clean, colorless, clinical hydration of CF(Rehyrdate)®.

Categories
Colonoscopies

How To Prepare For Your Colonoscopy with CF(Rehydrate)®

Let’s be honest—colonoscopy prep is no fun. In fact, a staggering number of colonoscopies (75% to be exact) are rescheduled every year because patients simply can’t get through the grueling prep process. Poor-tasting prep liquid and extreme dehydration mean even the most well-intentioned patients often stop three-quarters of the way through and can’t complete a proper prep. This leads to a missed procedure and a rescheduled date to have to do it all over again soon. (Are you exhausted yet?) 

At ClearFast, our team of nutritionists and scientists knew there was a better way, so we added CF(Rehydrate)®  to our ever-evolving line of premium clinical nutrition products with the goal of helping patients take back power over the dreaded colonoscopy prep process. Read on to learn more about how our colonoscopy prep drink delivers cleaner ingredients and a better all-around prep.

What is CF(Rehydrate)®?

The latest evolution in our line of clean clinical nutrition, CF(Rehydrate)® is a natural electrolyte replacement drink designed to deliver medical-grade hydration during the colonoscopy prep process. Free from artificial colors, flavors, and sugars, it delivers the electrolytes and essential hydration you can’t get from using water alone for your prep, without the harmful additives found in sports drinks and sugary alternatives.

How do I use CF(Rehydrate)® for colonoscopy prep?

Great question! Our colonoscopy prep drink is pretty darn tasty when chilled and super easy to use. You’ll want to grab a  colonoscopy prep kit and follow the below instructions:

If your colonoscopy prep is powder…

Use CF(Rehydrate)® to dissolve your colonoscopy prep powder:

  • Add your colonoscopy prep powder to 64-oz (2 bottles) of CF(Rehydrate)®
  • Mix thoroughly
  • Drink one 8 oz. glass every 15 minutes over a 2-hour period (or follow your doctor’s specific drinking
  • instructions)

If your colonoscopy prep is a liquid…

Use CF(Rehydrate)® as a “chaser” to help your colonoscopy prep liquid go down smoother:

  • Follow your doctor’s colonoscopy prep instructions
  • “Chase” each sip of your colonoscopy prep liquid with 1-2 sips of CF(Rehydrate)®
  • Drink any remaining contents of CF(Rehydrate)® up to two hours prior to your procedure

What’s in CF(Rehydrate)®? 

CF(Rehydrate)® has a perfect balance of carbohydrates, electrolytes, and essential minerals to offer fast and effective rehydration for times you just gotta go clinical. It’s chock-full of: 

  • Sodium for fluid balance & retention (which is especially important as you lose fluids during colonoscopy prep)
  • Zinc for immune support
  • Magnesium for healthy muscle function
  • Filtered Water for hydration
  • Potassium for cell hydration and enhanced nerve function
  • L-Citrulline for nourishment and healthy circulation 

How is it better than my other options?

Just like everything we craft at CF Nutrition, CF(Rehydrate)® was formulated with the goal of giving your body the nutrients it needs, in the simplest and most effective form—without any of the harmful additives that slow you down. Here’s how it’s different:

  • Made for this: Rather than grabbing a sugary sports drink or repurposing a children’s option as a colonoscopy prep drink—CF(Rehydrate)® offers a solution meant for the exact thing you’re experiencing. Formulated to deliver clinical, medical-grade rehydration during events like colonoscopies—CF(Rehydrate)® offers added electrolytes to replenish the ones you lose during elimination, a refreshing-as-ever flavor that masks any foul-tasting prep powder, and an easy-to-use two-bottle bundle that you simply add your own laxative to. 
  • Only the good stuff: Vegan, gluten-free, and kosher, we make our colonoscopy prep drink right here at our own facility in Atlanta, Georgia—without any artificial colors, flavors, or sugars. It offers a natural source of sugar (sans syrups and synthetics) and was specifically designed to help you nourish and replenish your body during the grueling (but necessary) life events like the dreaded colonoscopy.

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Ready to show syrupy drinks the door and use doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition for your colonoscopy prep instead? You can order CF(Rehydrate)® here. And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Categories
Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

Improved Recovery From Surgery with CF(Preop)®

Our team of nutritionists get asked one question pretty darn frequently: “What’s the magical ingredient in ClearFast that helps you recover from surgery?” Patients and clinicians so often want to know what the one secret ingredient is in our formulation that makes for reduced length of hospital stay, decreased risk of infection, decreased risk of post-op nausea, and a stronger, smoother surgery recovery. Today, then, we thought we’d dive into this frequently asked question to serve up some clarity. Read on for the answer!

What’s the secret ingredient in CF(Preop) that helps you recover from surgery?
Ah, we wish it was that simple, but—spoiler alert—there’s actually no magical ingredient that does the job on its own. Instead, every single ingredient in our anesthesiologist-developed formula works together to create a smoother surgery and enhanced recovery. 

Why isn’t there one star ingredient in CF(Preop) that helps you recover from surgery?
When a board-certified anesthesiologist was working to develop ClearFast, she did so with one goal in mind: to empower patients to take control of their surgery experience. She saw so many patients coming in for surgery under- or mal-nourished (especially after following the old-school “nothing from midnight” fast)—which led to an array of complications like surgical infections and a slow, complicated recovery.

Both modern medical research pointed to the fact that going into surgery nourished—instead of starved and dehydrated—was the key for a smoother, faster surgery recovery. (The healthier and better nourished you are before surgery, the faster and stronger your recovery after surgery.) So, instead of focusing on finding one “magical” ingredient, she developed a formula that contains exactly what patients need—and in the precise quantities they need it—for powerful clinical nutrition and medical-grade hydration in one proven product.

What ingredients in CF(Preop) help you nourish before your procedure and recover from surgery?

We’re so glad you asked! Our formula leverages a handful of natural, science-backed ingredients proven to enhance your surgery recovery in one tasty presurgery drink. They include:

  • Zinc Sulfate: Supports the immune system to keep you strong and safe as you enter surgery
  • Vitamin A: Has powerful antioxidant properties
  • L-Citrulline: Promotes circulation and wound healing for a faster recovery
  • Filtered Water: Ensures you (and your veins) are hydrated for easier IV “sticks” 
  • Citric Acid: For kidney health and free radical neutralization
  • Maltodextrin: Complex carbs for medical-grade nourishment and reduced muscle-mass loss

Is there anything you leave out of CF(Preop)?

Every product we formulate here at ClearFast—from our presurgery drinks to our plant protein drinks—are designed to help you nourish naturally, so you’ll never find added sugars, artificial ingredients, or unnecessary fillers in anything we make. 

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your presurgery nutrition plan? You can order CF(PreOp)® here.  And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Categories
Preparing for Surgery

Importance of ERAS® in a COVID-19 World

As COVID-19 is now a part of our daily lives, it’s so important patients do everything they can to ensure their body is strong and healthy as they enter a hospital setting for surgery. Today, then, we’re diving deep into ERAS® (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) and why it’s more important now than ever. Read on for everything you need to know about a safe surgery and strong recovery—even during the crazy times of Coronavirus!

What is ERAS?

We’re glad you asked! Enhanced Recovery After Surgery—known in the medical field as  ERAS—is a program all about facilitating a faster recovery by taking proactive steps before surgery to reduce the amount of stress the body undergoes during surgery. 

What is the ERAS program?

ERAS programs focus on implementing different practices to ensure recovering from your procedure is as safe, healthy, and seamless as it can be. These programs are comprised of 17 key elements for your doctors to follow—like pre-admission counseling for patients, the use of short-acting anaesthetic agents, and fluid-fasting with a presurgery drink in place of the traditional “no food or drink after midnight” fast. When you and your doctor follow the elements of an ERAS program, they work together to ensure better surgical outcomes and—just like its name says—an enhanced recovery after surgery.

Why does ERAS matter more now? 

There are a few reasons following ERAS is more important during COVID-19 than it’s ever before been (though we’d argue it’s always pretty darn important!).

  • The first is that surgery stresses and suppresses your immune system, which isn’t ideal as hospitals are battling COVID-19. If you have to be stuck in a hospital for surgery during a pandemic, you want to make sure your immune system is as strong as it can be to handle any unwelcome invaders that might come its way—and following an ERAS program is one of the most effective ways you can do this. (Psst..check out a few other ways you can give your immune system a boost before surgery).

  • The second is that getting out of a hospital fast is pivotal in the midst of a pandemic. Both for your safety (most importantly!) and to help keep resources available for COVID patients, you don’t want to spend any more time than is necessary in a hospital bed. The great news is that ERAS programs are proven to shorten hospital stays. In fact, according to a PubMed analysis of randomized trials, “Three of four included studies showed significantly shorter primary lengths of stay for patients enrolled in enhanced recovery programs.” So, following an ERAS program is a great way to get you out of those scratchy hospital sheets and back home safely, faster.

How can I implement ERAS protocols before my surgery? 

The act of undergoing anesthesia is super stressful on the human body. Because of this, the idea behind ERAS is to prepare our bodies for that stressful experience in a more purposeful way than we have in the past. There are a number of things you can do to implement an ERAS protocol before your surgery, including: 

  • Quit smoking and avoid alcohol
  • Exercise and lose weight if needed
  • Make healthy dietary choices and implement a presurgery nutrition plan before your procedure
  • Replace the “nothing from midnight” rule with a specific fluid fast with CF(PreOp)®

Psst…lingering on that last bullet-point and wondering why ERAS has you replace the nothing-from-midnight fast with a fluid fast using a clinical nutrition drink like CF(PreOp)®? Practices that have patients refrain from eating or drinking anything after midnight are outdated and can lead to post-op nausea and vomiting (PONV) amongst other issues. Instead, modern medical research points to the fact that replacing the old-school nothing-from-midnight fast with a clear, carbohydrate-rich beverage leads to a reduced risk of aspiration, a decreased chance of PONV, a faster recovery, and a shortened overall hospital stay. Sign us up!

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your everyday diet as you focus on following proven ERAS protocols for your upcoming procedure? You can order CF(PreOp)® here or CF(Protein)® here.  And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Categories
Featured Posts Wellness + Medical Tips

CF Nutrition Immune Boosting Tips

With so many things being out of our control as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are naturally searching for things we can control. One of the items that comes in at the top of that list? Your immune system! From reducing stress and avoiding unhealthy habits to eating the right foods and practicing mindfulness, when it comes to boosting your immune system, there are plenty of things you can do to take your wellness into your own hands. Today, then, we’re breaking down five things you can focus on to strengthen your immune system and stay healthy in trying times. Read on for our top tips!

1. Destress

We’re living in unprecedented times, which makes this one a little (or a lot) easier said than done—but avoiding and decreasing stress is the number-one thing you can do when it comes to boosting your immune system. When our body activates its stress response, this suppresses our immune system and makes us more susceptible to colds, flus, and other illnesses—which, in the time of COVID-19, isn’t ideal. So, what options are there for decreasing or managing stress? We’ve got a few favorites:

  • Daily Yoga: Yoga isn’t just about gaining flexibility or getting your foot behind your head (whew!). Mindfulness and breath awareness are both foundational parts of any yoga practice. A number of clinical studies have found yoga has pretty profound effects on the body’s stress response. In fact, according to a 2018 study published in PubMed, people practicing yoga saw “significant reductions in stress and all psychological health measures” compared to the control group. We recommend working a short yoga practice into your day-to-day routine as you focus on boosting your immune system via stress reduction. As yoga studios and gyms remain closed in the face of COVID-19, there are plenty of online apps, studios, and Instagram accounts that offer virtual yoga classes. We love the Alo Moves App, but you can also check the social media accounts of any studios in your area to see what online offerings they currently have. Aim for 30-60 minutes each day. If you’re looking for long holds and slow, deep stretches, opt for a Yin class. If you’d prefer to sweat and build strength, opt for a vinyasa or “flow” class. 

  • Daily Meditation: Ohhhhhhm. Meditation is one of our all-time favorite options for stress reduction. According to Harvard Health, there’s evidence to suggest meditation “can help ease psychological stresses like anxiety, depression, and pain.” If you’re not a seasoned meditator, not to worry! You don’t have to be a pro to reap the benefits. It’s less about getting your mind to shut off entirely (which isn’t exactly possible) and is more about observing your thoughts without judging them.

While many brand-new meditators think their mind has to be free from thought for their meditation to be considered effective, that’s simply not the case. Your goal is to sit in a quiet place and allow thoughts to come and go, without holding on to them or getting dragged down the rabbit hole with them. (Think of it like sitting on the side of a road and watching cars pass. Rather than focusing on one single car, your job is simply to watch each car pass without worrying where it’s going to what car is coming along next!)

When it comes to boosting your immune system, we recommend starting your day with 15-30 minutes of quiet, seated meditation. Prepping your mind to be calm before you dig into work or daily household duties will help you start your day off on a mindful, aware foot, which ultimately sets the stage for reduced stress throughout the rest of the day.

2. Eat mindfully.

As you focus on boosting your immune system in the midst of COVID-19, getting solid nutrition should be at the tip-top of your to-do list. A huge portion of your immune system is in your gut (80%, in fact, according to Dr. Yufang Lin). When your gut is healthy and happy, you tend to be better poised to fight off any unwelcome visitors (like viruses, illnesses, and infections). Setting the stage for a strong immune response via proper nutrition, then, is absolutely crucial when it comes to boosting your immune system and staying healthy. A few immune-boosting foods we recommend include: 

  • Citrus Fruits
  • Vegetables (especially spinach, broccoli, and dark leafy greens)
  • Whole grains
  • Healthy fats (like the kind you’ll find in fatty fish, olive oil, and nuts)
  • Ginger
  • Miso
  • Turmeric (which—drumroll please!—is the shining-star ingredient in CFprotein, our all natural plant protein drink designed to get you all of the powerhouse immune-boosting nutrients you need in one tasty, easy-to-consume smoothie.)

3. Get plenty of sleep.

How many z’s you are (or aren’t) catching plays a pivotal role in how well poised your immune system is to fight off infections and viruses. Sleep is important for a healthy immune system in a number of ways. It acts as your body’s natural “restart” button—by shutting down at the end of the night, your immune system is able to get the well-deserved rest and crucial reboot it needs. Plus, when you’re short on sleep your body makes up for it by producing cortisol, a major stress hormone, to keep you awake. This takes a huge toll on your immune system. In fact, sleep is so important when it comes to boosting your immune system, that one 2015 clinical study found that participants who slept less than their counterparts were more likely to contract the common cold.

4. Avoid unhealthy habits.

Both nicotine and cigarette smoke itself suppress the immune system, which is why it’s so important to kick a smoking habit if you have one—especially in the midst of COVID-19. In addition to suppressing your immune system, smoking has a nasty habit of destroying antibodies in the blood, the soldiers that go to war for you when you need to fight off unwelcome visitors like infections or viruses. On top of all of that bad news? Smoking also destroys all-important antioxidants—like Vitamin C.

Smoking isn’t the only thing that adversely affects any attempts to boost your immune system, though—alcohol also plays a role in suppressing your body’s critical immune response. From reducing the number and function of important immune cells (like T cells) to interfering with the way microbes in your gut interact with your immune system, excessive drinking can take a serious toll on your overall health and your body’s ability to fight off viruses, colds, and infections. Moderate drinking (defined as one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men) seems to be acceptable—but anything more than that could play a role in weakening your body’s immune response when it’s needed most.

5. Get moving. 

It’s not exactly groundbreaking news that exercise is good for you—but, with gyms closed and workout meetups cancelled as we practice social distancing, staying sedentary can be tempting. So what’s the case to be made for getting off the couch and moving? Exercise may help flush bacteria out of your lungs and airways, which can help when it comes to fighting off illnesses. Physical exercise also reduces the release of stress hormones which, you probably know by now, can have a detrimental effect on your immune system. So how, exactly, do you get your move on when you’re not allowed to gather in groups or go to your favorite gym? We recommend a few things: 

  • Keep an eye out for virtual classes gyms and yoga studios are offering, many of which are free via Instagram live.
  • Invest in at-home workout equipment, like resistance bands, exercise balls, and medicine balls.
  • Go for a walk! (A 2018 study found that 10 weeks of high-intensity interval walk training was associated with reduced disease activity and improved innate immune function.)
  • Get creative with ways you can get in physical activity around the house. Walk laundry to-and-from your laundry room in batches instead of all at once. Practice lunges and squats as you’re unloading the dishwasher. Take your stairs two at a time if you have healthy joints. Do sit-ups on commercial breaks. The options are endless—it’s all about keeping your eyes open for opportunities to move!

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your everyday diet as you focus on boosting your immune system? You can order CFpreop here or CFprotein here.  And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Categories
Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition Wellness + Medical Tips

Clearfast Clinical Nutrition for Surgery

We talk a lot about clinical nutrition here at ClearFast. So, today, we thought we’d break down everything you need to know about this all-important medical term—including what it is and the difference it can make in your health journey. Read on for all you need to know!

What is clinical nutrition?
Simply put, clinical nutrition is nutrition designed to support your medical journey and help you achieve optimal health. A clinical nutrition plan will take into account how your body processes, stores, and discards food for your overall well being—as well as your medical history and the results of any laboratory tests. Clinical nutrition is designed to support you with the necessary vitamins, proteins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs when your health isn’t at its best. It aims to help patients achieve a healthy energy balance and is used in both in- and out-patient healthcare settings.

How is clinical nutrition used?
That’s a great question! While the end-goals of clinical nutrition may vary depending on the patient, they’re always health-based. Some things it can be used to achieve include:

  • Preventing diseases (By boosting “good” cholesterol and reducing unhealthy triglycerides, clinical nutrition can help decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.)
  • Optimizing your everyday diet
  • Optimizing your nutrient intake
  • Treating/minimizing/managing symptoms of autoimmune diseases or other ailments
  • Increasing the chance of a successful surgery
  • Enhancing/speeding up recovery after surgery

What clinical nutrition options are available?
When it comes to clinical nutrition, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—but there is an array of options you can explore when it comes to working clinical nutrition into your everyday life. These include:

  • Personal clinical nutritionist: Speak to a clinical nutritionist about optimizing an everyday nutrition plan that’s right for you. This can be an especially great route to go if you suffer from any health ailments or diseases and are struggling to manage your symptoms. A clinical nutritionist will look at your health history, the way your body processes nutrients, any allergies you might have, as well as your symptoms to help you create a custom clinical nutrition program designed to ensure you feel your best. 

  • CFpreop®: Developed by an anesthesiologist, CFpreop is a premium clinical nutrition presurgery drink designed to help your body easily—and quickly—get the nutrients it needs to enter surgery stronger and recover quicker. Each of its science-backed ingredients work together to decrease infection rates, lower feelings of anxiety, reduce post-op nausea and vomiting, and speed up your recovery. The best part? CFpreop uses only high-quality, all-natural ingredients—so you’ll never find dairy, gluten, synthetic ingredients, or artificial sweeteners in any bottle of CFpreop. Plus, its ingredients are ethically sourced and every bottle of CFpreop is formulated at the ClearFast lab in the United States to ensure unparalleled product integrity. 

  • CFprotein®: Our answer to the old, outdated clinical protein drinks that have been on the market for years, CFprotein is a super effective, industry-leading option for patients seeking premium clinical nutrition at an affordable price-point. A clean plant protein drink designed to get patients strong and healthy in the weeks leading up to and following surgery, CFprotein offers a quick, convenient way to give your body the premium clinical nutrition it needs to enter anesthesia stronger and recover faster. Supplementing a healthy diet with CFprotein helps you build a solid nutritional foundation for your upcoming procedure, so you can avoid going into surgery under- or malnourished. While CFpreop is designed to drink in the hours leading up to surgery (helping you get premium clinical nutrition in the critical fasting window), CFprotein is designed to drink in the days, weeks, and months leading up to surgery.

PRO TIP: While ClearFast drinks are anesthesiologist-developed and designed with surgery in mind, they’re also great for working premium clinical nutrition into your everyday nutrition plan—even if you don’t have a procedure on the books! Whether you’re hydrating after a night of overindulging, treating your kiddos to tasty hydration (sans artificial sugars and colored dyes) on the sidelines of a soccer game, or looking for a quick-and-easy way to meet your daily protein requirements—both CFpreop® and CFprotein® have an array of uses that go far beyond the four walls of an operating room. 

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Ready to start working doctor-trusted, patient-preferred premium clinical nutrition into your everyday diet? You can order CFpreop here or CFprotein here.  And, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help!

Categories
For Med Pros Preparing for Surgery

What is Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)…and Why Should I Pay Attention To It?

If you’re getting ready to go under the knife, you may have heard the term Enhanced Recovery After Surgery—but you’re likely wondering What is enhanced recovery after surgery and why in the world should I pay attention to it? Not to worry, friends—today, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about this effective medical practice and how following it will affect your surgery experience for the better! 

 

What is Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)?

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (or ERAS® as it’s know in the medical field) is all about facilitating a faster, easier recovery after surgery by taking proactive steps to reduce the amount of stress the body undergoes during surgery. 

 

Essentially, ERAS programs focus on implementing different practices to ensure your surgery recovery is the best it can be. ERAS programs are comprised of 17 key elements for your doctors to follow—like pre-admission counseling for patients, the use of short-acting anaesthetic agents, and fluid-fasting with a presugery drink in place of the traditional “no food or drink after midnight” fast. When you and your doctor follow the elements of an ERAS program, together they work to ensure better surgical outcomes and—just like the name states—an enhanced recovery after surgery

 

In other words, the simplest answer to the question: What is enhanced recovery after surgery? is that ERAS programs are all about taking proactive steps to make sure a patient’s surgery experience and recovery are as healthy, safe, and easy as they can be.

 

Why did ERAS programs come about?

ERAS Programs originated in the UK but are are now increasingly popular in hospitals across the United States. As they realize this evidenced-based program leads to safer surgeries and shorter hospital stays, medical professionals around the world are now implementing ERAS programs in their practices.

 

What impact do ERAS programs have and who do they benefit?

There’s a body of evidence pointing to the fact that ERAS programs lead to improved outcomes for hospitals and patients. In fact, according to a PubMed analysis of randomized trials, “Three of four included studies showed significantly shorter primary lengths of stay for patients enrolled in enhanced recovery programs.” 

 

ERAS programs are beneficial to both the patient and the hospital: a healthier patient recovers faster, leaves the hospital in a timely manner, and is overall more satisfied with their surgery experience—this leads to money saved for both the hospital and the patient, as well as higher patient satisfaction, which leads to higher doctor pay.

 

How can I follow ERAS protocols before my surgery—and why should I?

Even if your procedure is relatively minor, the act of undergoing anesthesia is super stressful on the human body. Because of this, the idea behind ERAS is to prep our bodies for that stressful experience in a more purposeful way. Old-school thought has patients not eat or drink anything after midnight (which means undergoing surgery in a weakened state—more on why you shouldn’t fast before surgery here!) and neglects to give us any useful information about how to strengthen your body and mind before you undergo anesthesia. ERAS programs, on the other hand, empower patients with the information they need to get healthy before surgery and enhance their recovery as a result. This includes protocols like:

 

  • Exercising and losing weight if needed
  • Quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol
  • Making healthy dietary choices
  • Replacing the “nothing from midnight” rule with a specific fluid fast 

 

How does ClearFast fit into ERAS programs?

One of the most important of the 17 key ERAS program elements is pre-surgery carbohydrate loading using a compliant ERAS® drink. Replacing the “nothing after midnight” rule with the ERAS-backed suggestion of fluid fasting with a complex-carb beverage can: 

 

  • Make for a less stressful surgery experience: In a large controlled study, patients in the pre-op area who drank ClearFast were 5.5-6.5 times more likely to describe themselves as “comfortable” than their cohorts who underwent traditional fasting from midnight.

 

  • Greatly reduce your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting: Being administered heavy anesthesia drugs on an empty stomach is responsible for the sick feeling one in three patients experience upon waking from surgery. (More on reducing post-op nausea and vomiting here!)

 

  • Make for Easier IV Sticks: Dehydration leads to reduced blood flow, which can often mean multiple, painful IV sticks. Many ClearFast customers report easier, pain-free and one-time-only needle sticks as a result of working our preop drink into their surgery prep routine.

 

 

Not just any beverage will work when it comes to proper preop carbohydrate loading, though. The key to this ERAS program element is ensuring you’re using a complex carbohydrate-rich beverage that contains primarily maltodextrins—rather than simple sugars like the fructose found in sports drinks. (Sports drinks simply aren’t an option for enhanced recovery.) ClearFast, on the other hand, is the only domestically produced ERAS drink of its kind that is rich in maltodextrins, chock-full of healing ingredients (like zinc & L-citrulline), is clear and colorless, and free of simple sugars and harmful colored dyes. Essentially, it’s the gold-standard for ensuring an enhanced recovery after surgery.

 

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Overall, the stronger your body is going into surgery, the easier your body will recover upon waking up. ERAS programs are all about empowering both patients and medical professional with this knowledge and encouraging them to take proactive steps in order to create a safer, easier, more beneficial surgery experience for both patients and medical professionals. 


Ready to start your surgery experience off right? Order your ClearFast PreOp Drink here—or reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all! 

Categories
Colonoscopies

Pro Tips to Make Colonoscopy Prep Easier

From the foul-tasting prep liquid to the dreaded emptying of the bowels (are you cringing yet?),  it’s no wonder that patients are constantly looking for ways to make colonoscopy prep easier. With 15 million colonoscopies performed annually in the United States, we happen to believe that this super common procedure doesn’t have to be so dreaded (in fact, making medical procedures more comfortable is what we’re all about here at ClearFast). Today, then, we’re breaking down our top tips to make colonoscopy prep easier. Read on for the ultimate colonoscopy prep guide. 


What to do in the week leading up to your colonoscopy prep…

As you approach the week leading up to your procedure, make sure you do the following three things to make colonoscopy prep easier


  • Head to the grocery store and pharmacy: Embarking on a low-fiber diet before your colonoscopy is one of the most effective ways to make colonoscopy prep easier. While you don’t need to start your low-fiber diet until 3-4 days before your prep, you should start shopping for the foods you’ll need in the week leading up to your procedure. We recommend purchasing things like: white breads, white rice, low-fiber cereals, white meats, fish, and eggs. Be sure to avoid things like: whole-grain breads, nuts, seeds, granola, red meat, dried fruit, legumes, fibrous vegetables, etc. You’ll also want to pick up any prescription laxatives your doctor might prescribe, as well as moist wipes.

  • Talk to your doctor: While a colonoscopy is a pretty routine procedure, it’s still important you spend time talking to your doctor about what to expect so you’re armed with the information you need to make colonoscopy prep easier. From the type of sedation you’ll be given to the timeline of your procedure, we break down the five most important questions to ask your doctor before a colonoscopy here. Be sure to review this list and add your own questions to it before your pre-op appointment. 

  • Order your ClearFast bottles: From making the prep liquid go down smoother to improving your recovery time and greatly reducing your chance of post-op nausea and vomiting, there are tons of scientifically-backed reasons you should include ClearFast as part of your colonoscopy prep procedure—and we break them all down here. In the week before your colonoscopy, make sure you order ClearFast online so that you have it on-hand as you embark on the prep process. 

What to do in the days leading up to your colonoscopy…

In the 3-4 days leading up to your procedure, be sure you complete the following tasks to help make colonoscopy prep easier


  • Start eating low-fiber foods: While it may be tempting to consume heavy meals before you have to start on that dreaded liquid fast, eating fibrous foods will ultimately make getting through colonoscopy prep so much more difficult and uncomfortable than it needs to be. (Plus, high-fiber foods can leave behind residue in your colon that can make it difficult for your doctor to see polyps—the entire point of a colonoscopy.) We recommend cutting back on fiber and eating smaller, more digestible meals in the 3-4 days leading up to your colonoscopy prep. Stay away from legumes, whole grains, dried fruits, vegetables, etc.—and opt for smaller portion, low-fiber plates to make colonoscopy prep easier

  • Chill your ClearFast bottles: Once your ClearFast bottles arrive, it’s time to place them in your fridge to ensure they’re chilled and ready to go when it’s time to embark on the prep process. 

  • Chill your prep liquid: Chilling your prep liquid will help it go down so much easier and smoother (especially when you “chase” it with ClearFast—more on this below). Be sure to chill it in the fridge a few days before it’s time to consume it. If your prep liquid is unflavored, you can also add flavoring to it (like fresh lemon or a powdered juice-drink mix) to help make it a bit more tasty—just be sure to steer clear of colored dyes, like red and purple, to avoid the appearance of internal bleeding during your colonoscopy. 

How to get through the dreaded fasting window and recovering quicker…

Crunch time has arrived. Below are our pro tips for getting through the dreaded fasting period as comfortably as humanly possible. 


  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: While you can’t eat anything the day before your procedure, you can hydrate with liquids. In addition to good ol’ fashioned water, this is another place ClearFast comes in handy—as it provides medical-grade hydration and is chock-full of electrolytes, ensuring you don’t enter surgery dehydrated and malnourished. (Psst…did you know dehydration before surgery leads to multiple IV “sticks”, as it can be hard to find a “good” vein when your body is thirsty for hydration?) 

  • Use ClearFast to make the prep liquid go down smoother, and for a boosted recovery: Incorporating ClearFast into your prep process helps to make colonoscopy prep easier for a number of reasons. It’s a great way to “chase” your prep liquid with something much more tasty—plus, it also ensures your body is armed with the nutrients and minerals it needs to go under (and awake from) your procedure in the strongest state possible. We recommend consuming four bottles of ClearFast in the following manner:

    • First Bottle: Sip simultaneously with your colonoscopy prep liquid. “Chase” each sip of prep liquid with a sip of chilled ClearFast.
    • Second Bottle: Drink the night before the procedure (while in the fasting window)
    • Third Bottle: Have your third bottle finished two hours prior to the procedure. (This greatly reduces your risk of the post-op nausea and vomiting that one in three patients experience as a result of being administered heavy anesthesia drugs on an empty stomach.)
    • Fourth Bottle: Drink chilled, following the procedure. (Arming your body with ClearFast’s healing minerals—like zinc and L-Citrulline—upon completion of your colonoscopy helps ensure a faster, more seamless recovery process.) 

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That’s it for today’s roundup of pro tips to make colonoscopy prep easier. If you’re ready for a stress-free, more comfortable colonoscopy prep (and a faster recovery!), you can order your ClearFast PreOp Drink here. And don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all.

Categories
Preparing for Surgery

The Upside of Going Under in December: 5 Major Benefits of Scheduling Surgery During the Holidays

If your holiday season holds a surgery, we wouldn’t blame for you for being a little down about it. But—while you might need to cut back on the eggnog and probably won’t be able to join in on that sled race—it actually turns out there are some benefits of scheduling your surgery during the holidays. Today, then, we’re breaking down the upside of going under during the month of December. Read on for three major benefits of having a procedure during the most wonderful time of the year. 


  1. The timing is perfect.

You likely already have some time off coming your way at the end of the year—so getting that pesky procedure you’ve been putting off done (finally!) is a great way to use up any of your accumulated annual sick days. Plus, the holidays are a time when lots of people slip away for travel—so, depending on the industry you’re in, scheduling surgery during the holidays allows you to take care of that procedure during the slow season when your absence likely won’t be a major blow to your coworkers (who’ve already snuck out of the office themselves). The other major benefit of the end-of-the-year timing? You’ve probably already met your health insurance deductible this late in the year, which can help ensure you don’t have to pay out-of-pocket for your procedure. 


  1. Recovering inside is easier. 

Ah, the holidays—that time of year when you want nothing more than to stay in pajamas all day long and curl up by your fireplace with a good movie or great book. Turns out, if you’ve scheduled surgery during the holidays, this is also a pretty perfect scene for your recovery. When it’s cold outside and most of the fun is taking place indoors (bring on the cookie baking and tree decorating!), staying inside to recover is much easier than it is during the summer months when everyone is outside splashing around under the sun without you. 


  1. You’ll have extra support. 

Scheduling surgery during the holidays likely means you’ll have extra family around to aid in your recovery. When you’re recovering from a procedure, there’s nothing better than having people you trust around you to offer extra help and moral support. Whether it’s making you a quick plate of food, driving you to the pharmacy, changing your dressings, getting you a fresh ice pack, or simply watching daytime television with you as you’re stuck on the couch, there’s nothing better than the extra support family members can provide as you recover.


  1. You can recover discreetly.

If you’re having an elective cosmetic procedure, scheduling surgery during the holidays is a great way to keep your reveal under wraps from your coworkers as everyone is out of the office for the holidays. Plus, it’s not at all odd for people to whisk away to warmer locations for the holidays, so sneaking away to a beach resort for your recovery and simply telling family, friends, and coworkers that you went away for holiday vacation won’t tip them off. And, lastly, bundling up is perfectly acceptable during the holidays—so wearing scarves and hats is a great way to strategically cover up any stitches that are still healing. (Psst…read more about healing faster from your elective cosmetic procedure here.) 


  1. ClearFast will get you back to holiday cheer!

The best way to get an edge on recovery so you can get back to all of that holiday fun? Preparing your body for your procedure before you go under. (The stronger you go under anesthesia, after all, the quicker you’ll heal when you wake up.) From drastically reducing your chances of post-op nausea and vomiting to decreasing your risk of a developing surgical infection, drinking ClearFast in place of a from-midnight fast before your procedure is proven to lead to an enhanced recovery after surgery. You can learn more about why doctors are replacing fasting from midnight with drinking ClearFast here—but the bottom line is this: if you’ve scheduled surgery during the holidays and want to make sure you get back to full health as soon as possible, preparing your body with ClearFast is the easiest and most effective way to do so!


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Overall, scheduling surgery during the holidays isn’t as bad of an idea as it initially may seem. The extra help of family and the perfect end-of-the-year vacation timing both help ensure your December procedure isn’t so drab. If you’re ready to get a major leg up on your holiday surgery, you can order your ClearFast Presurgery Drink here! And, as always, reach out to our team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always here and happy to help make your holiday surgery experience a successful one!

Categories
Colonoscopies

The Most Important Questions to Ask Before a Colonoscopy: 5 Things to Go Over with Your Doctor

When it comes to colonoscopies, we all have the same goal: to get in and out in as painless (and fast) a manner as possible. Couple the desire to “just get it over with” with the fact that it can be intimidating to ask doctors questions, and it’s easy to see how so many of us end up walking into our colonoscopy without the information we need to make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible. Today, then, we’re offering up the most important questions to ask before a colonoscopy. Because a spoonful of sugar may make the medicine go down—but we prefer a forkful of answers any day.


  1. How will I be sedated?

When it comes to questions to ask before a colonoscopy, understanding your anesthesiologist’s sedation method and the drugs she will use is super important. You’ll also want to communicate any allergies to medications and past experiences you’ve had with anesthesia (i.e. post-op nausea and vomiting). This will allow your doctor to help remedy the situation by administering anti-nausea meds or by allowing you to consume a presurgery drink to negate the effects of being administered heavy anesthesia drugs on an empty stomach


  1. When do I need to arrive, and how long will the procedure take? 

On average, a colonoscopy should take about 45 minutes—but you’ll likely be at the hospital or outpatient center for around four hours total to account for intake time and recovery upon waking. We recommend building out a clear timeline or schedule (this can be anything from a simple handwritten list to notes taken on your smartphone) beforehand. It’s always best to have things written down in single spot you can easily reference—because pre-procedure nerves can often frazzle even the most organized, on-top-of-it patient. Your timeline should clearly outline: 


  • When you need to start your prep liquid
  • When you should have your colonoscopy prep liquid (and other presurgery drinks) completed by
  • What time you need to arrive for your colonoscopy
  • What time nurses will take you back for your colonoscopy
  • What time the procedure is expected to be completed


(Psst…be sure to share this list with the person responsible for transporting you home. You shouldn’t drive for at least 10 hours after your colonoscopy.)


  1. How should I prepare for my colonoscopy? 

Colonoscopy preparation methods and the laxatives you’re prescribed will vary from doctor to doctor—so it’s important to get a clear idea of what exactly you’ll be doing (and drinking or taking) to prepare. The colonoscopy prep process is often a dreaded one—so knowing what you’re getting into ahead of time can make all of the difference when it comes to feeling empowered and prepared to take on your colonoscopy prep. In addition to talking to your doctor, we recommend taking a look at our pro tips for getting through colonoscopy prep here! One major pro tip? Avoid fibrous foods and large meals before your prep. 


  1. Can I drink clear fluids with my prep liquid? 

As part of your list of questions to ask before a colonoscopy, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about clear liquids, and, specifically, about the right presurgery drink. Chasing your colonoscopy prep with a clear liquid is a great way to help the foul-tasting prep liquid go down smoother—but so many patients don’t know to ask their doctor about clear presurgery liquids in place of flavored water or sugary juices. We recommend asking your doctor about the ClearFast presurgery drink, as it provides medical-grade hydration (so it will combat the extreme dehydration that occurs as a result of the prep liquid and emptying your bowels for the procedure). 


Plus, because it’s chock-full of nutrients and complex-carbs, ClearFast acts as a “liquid food” and nourishes you like food—but because it’s clear and colorless, it’s safe to drink up to two hours before surgery. The nourishment ClearFast provides in the form of complex carbs and nutrients greatly reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting (which occurs as a result of being administered anesthesia meds on an empty stomach) and aids in the recovery and healing process. (You can learn more about the benefits of ClearFast for colonoscopy prep here.)


  1. Can I eat immediately afterward?

Last on our roundup of the most important questions to ask before a colonoscopy is a thing we’ve all been waiting for: food! After all of that foul-tasting prep liquid and your clear-liquid diet, you’ll likely be dreaming of burgers and fries (or whatever your guilty pleasure is) after you wake up from your colonoscopy. Unfortunately, though, most doctors will recommend you stick to foods that are gentle on your stomach for at least 24 hours after your procedure. You’ll want to avoid foods that are difficult to digest or that irritate your bowels (sorry, spice-lovers). Talk to your doctor ahead of time to develop a solid diet plan for the few days following your procedure—and be sure to grocery shop and prepare your house before you head to the hospital or outpatient center. 


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Overall, when it comes to questions to ask before a colonoscopy your goal should always be to empower yourself with the information you need to make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible. If you’re ready for a more comfortable colonoscopy experience (and a faster recovery!), you can order your ClearFast PreOp Drink here—and don’t hesitate to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all!

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