Author: Gillian Griffith

Here on the CF Nutrition blog, you can find everything from resources to recommendations from our team of dietitians, nutritionists & beverage scientists.

Colonoscopies

Pro Tips for Getting Through Colonoscopy Prep: Minimizing Discomfort in the Dreaded Prep Process

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date October 4, 2018
No Comments on Pro Tips for Getting Through Colonoscopy Prep: Minimizing Discomfort in the Dreaded Prep Process

getting through colonoscopy prep with clearfast

Though there are approximately 15 million colonoscopies performed in the U.S. each year (whoa!), getting through colonoscopy prep isn’t exactly a breeze. With a large volume of a foul-tasting prep liquid to consume, a clear-liquid diet you have to stick to, and—yes—the uncomfortable reality of clearing your bowels for your procedure, it’s safe to say there are far more enjoyable experiences in the world than the dreaded prep process. But, with a little proactivity, the prep process can be made a bit more enjoyable and comfortable than it is when going in blind. Today, then, we’re offering up some pro tips for getting through colonoscopy prep—and getting that all-important procedure performed!

Why is getting through colonoscopy prep important?

Allowing your fear of getting through colonoscopy prep to be a barrier to actually getting the procedure done can mean sacrificing your health and well being—especially when you consider the fact that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death amongst women and men combined. If you fail to complete the dreaded prep process successfully (the end-goal of which is completely emptying your bowels so you doctor can clearly see inside the colon), your doctor won’t be able to perform your colonoscopy—which means missing out on vital information about your health that (information that could potentially save your life). In fact, 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths could have been prevented with screening. But, not to fear, we break down some pro tips for making the prep process as comfortable as it can be below!

What are some tips for getting through colonoscopy prep successfully?

We’ll be honest: the bottom line is colonoscopy prep isn’t going to be an enjoyable experience—but there are plenty of things you can do to make it far more comfortable and less stressful than it has to be, including:

Cut back on fiber and large meals. While it may be tempting to consume heavy, fibrous meals before you have to start on your prep and liquid fast, this will ultimately make getting through colonoscopy prep all the more difficult and uncomfortable. We recommend cutting back on fiber and eating smaller, more easily digestible meals in the 2-3 days leading up to your colonoscopy prep (trust us—you’ll thank us when it comes time to clear your bowels). Plus, high-fiber foods leave behind residue in your colon that can make it difficult for your doctor to see polyps, the entire point of a colonoscopy.

Chill your prep liquid. Drinking your prep liquid chilled will help it go down much easier and smoother. Be sure to chill it in the fridge overnight 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)—just be sure to steer clear of colored dyes, like red and purple, to avoid the appearance of internal bleeding.

Hydrate and nourish with the right clear liquid. As part of your colonoscopy prep procedure, you have to stick to a clear-liquid diet and that dreaded prep drink. Unfortunately, though, the prep liquid your doctor prescribes can lead to major dehydration and electrolyte imbalances (not to mention hunger!). Dehydration and hunger are both things you want to avoid in general, but especially before undergoing anesthesia. Consuming a liquid that’s full of nourishment, but still clear and safe to drink as part of your prep, helps to greatly reduce dehydration and hunger before your procedure. Fortunately, ClearFast is clear and colorless, but also contains the electrolytes you need for hydration and the complex carbs you need for nourishment. (By acting as “liquid food”, ClearFast also works to reduce post-op nausea and vomiting. Preop fasting is largely responsible for the nausea and vomiting 1 in 3 patients experience after waking up from anesthesia. ClearFast works to eliminate this problem by ensuring you’re not given anesthesia meds on an empty stomach.) Psst…check out our post on how to use ClearFast as part of your colonoscopy prep procedure here!

Use ClearFast to “chase” your prep liquid. Drinking ClearFast as part of your colonoscopy prep is a great way to have something tasty to “chase” that foul-tasting prep liquid with. Sip your prep liquid simultaneously with a bottle of chilled ClearFast to help it go down much smoother.

What difference does ClearFast make in getting through colonoscopy prep?

We could go on forever about how much easier ClearFast makes your colonoscopy prep procedure (we hear it from happy ClearFast patients all of the time)—but, instead, we’ve rounded up some real-life reviews below:

“At 70+ years old with significant diverticulitis, I have had many dreaded colonoscopy preps. My last experience was totally different thanks to just 3 bottles of ClearFast PreOp” – B. T.

“I despise the oral bowel prep. Last time, I drank ClearFast PreOp along with my prep…I ‘chased’ each 8 oz. dose of the prep solution with a few sips of ClearFast PreOp to get rid of the awful aftertaste. I had a full bottle of ClearFast PreOp following the full prep and a third dose at two hours before the colonoscopy. I felt great and will always repeat this routine in the future! For my last colonoscopy, I was stuck 7 times for my IV as I was so dehydrated. This last experience was a ‘1 stick miracle’! I have highly recommended ClearFast PreOp to any eligible patient.” – A. S.

“Thank you so much for introducing me to ClearFast PreOp. Having to go through my first colonoscopy, my worst fear was not only having to drink the solution, but doing so on an empty stomach with the possibility of being nauseous! Sipping on ClearFast PreOp after each glass made it bearable, as it tastes good! And, it was comforting to know that it was full of nutrients.” – P. C.

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Overall, getting through colonoscopy prep isn’t exactly the most enjoyable experience in the world, but adding some liquid nutrition and hydration into your prep process can make all of the difference. If you’re ready for a stress-free, more comfortable colonoscopy prep (and a fast 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.

Preparing for Surgery

Dehydration Before Surgery: How it Affects You and How to Avoid It

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date September 20, 2018
No Comments on Dehydration Before Surgery: How it Affects You and How to Avoid It

When it comes to staying hydrated, the general population isn’t exactly knocking it out of the park. In fact, according to MedicalDaily.com, 75% of Americans may be chronically dehydrated (someone pass the water!). Though it’s a state three-quarters of us are in at any given time, being dehydrated has far more of an impact on your health than you may realize—and this is especially true when it comes to dehydration before surgery. Today, then, we’re talking all you need to know about how dehydration before surgery affects you and, more importantly, how to avoid it. Read on….and drink up!

What exactly is dehydration?

This may seem like a no brainer, but dehydration is more than just being parched (and feeling like you’d kill for a tall glass of ice water!). It occurs when more water and fluid leaves the body than enters it. Ready for some surprising stats and facts about water consumption and dehydration? We’ve rounded up our favorites below:

According to The New York Times, “Water is the single most important substance we consume. You can survive for about two months without food, but you would die in about seven days without water.”
Even mild dehydration can affect your ability to think clearly.
Dizziness, rapid heart rate, sleepiness, lack of energy, and irritability can all be signs of dehydration.
Our thirst mechanism is specifically designed to tell us when our body needs to increase our fluid intake. If you’re thirsty, you’re likely already dehydrated.
According to Medical Daily.com “60 percent of our bodies is composed of water, 75 percent in our muscles, 85 percent in our brains…”

How does dehydration before surgery affect me?

Even the smallest amount of dehydration before surgery can have an impact on your body’s ability to go under (and wake up from) anesthesia in the strongest state possible. When you’re getting ready to go under the knife, you’re already anxious (and probably overwhelmed)—add dehydrated cells into the mix, and your body isn’t exactly in an ideal state to take on the stress of surgery. The effects of dehydration before surgery include:

Painful IV “Sticks”: Dehydration leads to reduced blood flow. This can often mean it takes multiple, painful IV sticks for a nurse to find a “good” vein (the last thing you want to experience when you’re already stressed and worried before surgery).

Post-Op Nausea & Vomiting: Ever woken up from surgery and felt immediately sick to your stomach? You’re not alone: in fact, one in three patients suffers from post-op nausea and vomiting. Dehydration before surgery—combined with the strong anesthesia meds you’re administered on an empty stomach—plays a major part in this. (Psst…learn more about reducing your risk of getting sick after anesthesia here.)

An Increased Risk of Surgical Complications: It’s no surprise that entering into surgery in a weakened state can set the stage for surgical complications and a tough recovery. In fact, according to a PubMed.gov medical study, “Preoperative dehydration is associated with increased rates of postoperative ARF, MI, and cardiac arrest.”

Is it OK to hydrate before surgery?

While you should always follow your doctor’s instructions, more and more modern medical research is pointing to the fact that medical professionals should do away with the “no food or drink after midnight” rule and, instead, allow patients to safely hydrate and nourish up to two hours before surgery. (There are a number of reasons this is the case, and we break them all down here.) The important thing to note is that the “no food or drink after midnight” rule was never evidence-based, while modern instructions to hydrate and nourish before surgery are based on Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (or ERAS®) programs, which consist of evidence-based protocols that are proven to enhance a patient’s recovery and make for an easier, safer surgery all together.

If my doctor says it’s OK, how do I safely hydrate before surgery?

If you’re ready to kick dehydration before surgery to the curb, start by talking to your doctor about consuming a safe, trusted presurgery drink. Enhanced recovery protocols call for a clear liquid that contains at least 45 grams of complex carbs and no simple sugars like you’d find in sports drinks (more on why sports drinks don’t cut it for curbing dehydration before surgery here). The drink should also have an osmolarity level that allows for timely gastric emptying (in other words, the beverage needs to be formulated to clear from your stomach fast).

ClearFast is the only domestically produced presurgery drink of this kind: it’s rich in maltodextrins and healing properties (zinc & L-citrulline), is clear and colorless, is free of simple sugars and colored dyes (like those found in sports drinks), is designed to clear from your stomach fast (hence the name), and is trusted by luminary hospitals across the US, who regularly use ClearFast as a key part of hydrating patients before surgery.

PRO TIP: If you’re ready to hydrate before surgery with ClearFast, the key is to ensure you follow your doctor’s orders and the ClearFast drinking instructions. You always want to make sure you’ve consumed your last bottle of ClearFast at least two hours before surgery. We recommend chilling ClearFast overnight before drinking for an even tastier treat!

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Overall, though the effects of dehydration before surgery are serious, it’s also relatively easy to avoid with the right, doctor-approved presugery drink. If you’re ready for a stress-free, complication-free surgery (and a fast recovery!), you can order your ClearFast Recovery Drink 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.

Presurgery Nutrition

The Answer is Clear: Addressing Misconceptions Around Presurgery Drinks

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date September 6, 2018
No Comments on The Answer is Clear: Addressing Misconceptions Around Presurgery Drinks

For decades, patients have been told to fast before surgery. So, when people first hear about presurgery drinks, it’s natural for them to say “Hey, wait—you’re just trying to sell us something we don’t need! And besides, that’s going against doctor’s orders.” But the truth is, despite some misconceptions swirling around presurgery drinks, they are right in line with modern medical research and updated patient protocols. Today, we’re covering:
- The misconception that presurgery drinks are only about keeping you from “starving”
- The misconception that it’s unsafe to drink before surgery
- The misconception that you can just drink water instead of presurgery drinks
Now, let’s dig in…

Misconception: “People won’t ‘starve’ if they don’t eat for a few hours before surgery.”
People hear presurgery drinks marketed as a way to ensure patients “don’t starve before surgery,” and they immediately think: “Wait—you don’t starve after a few hours of not eating!” We totally understand this point of view, but there are two realities here that make it a major misconception:

Reality: Presurgery drinks aren’t just about keeping you from starving.
ClearFast nourishes you before surgery so you feel satisfied and full, sure—but it’s also formulated to do so many other beneficial things for your body before and after surgery. It helps make the experience less stressful, greatly reduces your chances of post-op nausea and vomiting, and provides vital nutrients and minerals that aid in speeding your recovery process.

Reality: “Starving” doesn’t mean “starving to death.”
Your body enters a starved state after hours with no nourishment. When you fast before surgery, your body is entering into a starved state, which can make your surgery experience stressful and your recovery harder than it needs to be. When we talk about “not starving before surgery,” we’re referring to the latter—the “starved state” your body enters into as a result of fasting before surgery.

Misconception: “It’s unsafe to eat or drink before surgery.”
Fasting before surgery is a decades-old practice, so it makes sense that patients are wary when they first hear about presurgery drinks. After all, doctors say it’s unsafe to eat or drink before surgery, right? Well, not so much:

Reality: Fasting before surgery is an outdated practice and is being replaced with instructions to nourish and hydrate, instead.
We break down everything you need to know about why fasting before surgery is outdated here (so take a look!), but here’s a quick summary: Having food in your stomach before surgery can cause you to aspirate (aspiration is essentially the entry of your stomach contents/food into the lower respiratory tract and lungs, which can be very dangerous during surgery). Because of this, medical professionals implemented a sweeping rule over 150 years ago: no food or drink after midnight before surgery.

By the year 2000, however, a collection of 30+ independent studies proved that patients who drank clear fluid before surgery actually had emptier stomachs than those who didn’t eat or drink anything—which ultimately reduced their risk of aspiration, making their surgery experience safer than those who fasted.

When you fast, your stomach creates gastric acids—so it’s not, in fact, empty (even though you haven’t eaten or drank anything). When you drink the right clear liquids up to two hours before surgery, your stomach doesn’t create these acids and is, in fact, empty. ClearFast is designed to clear from your stomach fast (hence the name!), so—as long as you finish your last bottle at least two hours before surgery—ClearFast is not in your stomach during the time of surgery…and neither are those dangerous stomach acids your body creates as a result of outdated fasting.

In fact, an article published by the University of Minnesota Health Center in 2015 states, “A number of studies show that patients do much better if they’re allowed to drink up to two hours before surgery. They use less IV fluid, and depending on what they drink, they have better metabolism. It’s also less difficult to control a patient’s sugar levels following surgery.”

Reality: We ALWAYS recommend you follow your doctor’s instructions.
We aren’t just a company working to sell patients presurgery drinks—we’re a community of medical pros, and we work closely with physicians all of the time. Their recommendations and the research they share with us drives what we do as a team. We greatly respect physicians and always recommend patients ask their doctor about ClearFast before using it before surgery.

Misconception: “People can just drink water instead. They don’t need to spend money on presurgery drinks.”
You now understand that it’s safe to drink before surgery (safer than if you had nothing at all, in fact)—so you immediately think: “Ok, so people can just have water! Why waste money on some product they don’t actually need?” We love water as much as the next parched patient…but the truth is there are a number of benefits you get from a presurgery drink that water just doesn’t provide:

Reality: Water is great—but, while it hydrates, it doesn’t nourish.
We’re not waging a war on water—it’s obviously vital for hydration. But, the main difference between water and presurgery drinks is that presurgery drinks actually nourish you before surgery. ClearFast was specially formulated to, not just hydrate like water can do, but to make for an enhanced recovery after surgery, which water can’t. It includes complex carbs, nutrients and minerals that are vital to tissue function and healing, and electrolytes. You can read all about the ingredients in ClearFast—and how they contribute to a better surgery experience—here.

Psst…one of the biggest benefits of drinking a presurgery drink instead of just water before surgery? It greatly reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting. When you’re given anesthesia meds on an empty stomach, you tend to get sick upon waking from surgery. When you’ve nourished your body with the complex carbs, nutrients, and minerals found in presurgery drinks, however, you’re much less likely to get sick upon waking. Don’t believe us? Check out our ClearFast Amazon reviews and read all about the difference ClearFast has made in patients’ surgery experiences.

Reality: Enhanced recovery protocols call for a drink that’s rich in complex carbs, which water isn’t.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programs (or ERAS®) are programs borrowed from the UK that luminary hospitals across the U.S. are now implementing. ERAS are all about following different practices (or “pathways”) to ensure your surgery recovery is the best it can be. These programs are comprised of 17 key elements for your doctors to follow—like pre-admission counseling for patients and the use of short-acting anaesthetic agents—which, when combined, work to enhance your recovery after surgery. One of the main elements of these programs is nourishing patients with a clear, complex-carb-rich beverage before surgery for a better recovery experience. Water, then, simply doesn’t cut it when it comes to following ERAS protocols.

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Overall, more and more modern medical research points to the fact that presurgery drinks make for safer, less stressful procedures and enhanced recovery after surgery. Have a misconception you want an answer to, or simply ready to have ClearFast on-hand for your next procedure? You can order ClearFast here or 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!

Presurgery Nutrition

ClearFast Ingredients 101: The Nutrients & Minerals in our Presurgery Drink that Make for Faster Healing

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date August 23, 2018
No Comments on ClearFast Ingredients 101: The Nutrients & Minerals in our Presurgery Drink that Make for Faster Healing

We often get asked what makes our presurgery drink different from (and more effective than) sports drinks or water when it comes to safer surgeries and enhanced recovery after surgery—and the answer lies in ClearFast ingredients. Rich in a number of powerful minerals and nutrients, ClearFast was specifically formulated to meet strict Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (or ERAS®) protocols. Today, we’re offering up ClearFast Ingredients 101—a complete breakdown of everything that’s in our presurgery drink and an analysis of how these ingredients work for a less stressful surgery experience and faster recovery upon waking from anesthesia. Read on….and get ready to go under (and wake up) feeling strong as ever!

ClearFast Ingredients Breakdown:

Electrolytes: We talk all about the importance of electrolytes for hydration and healing here, but the most important thing to note is that electrolytes help our cells, tissues, and fluids effectively communicate with one another—sparking nerve impulses, balancing the amount of water in our bodies, and aiding in rebuilding damaged tissues. We like to think of surgery as an athletic event—like a marathon. You’d never enter a marathon dehydrated—and modern medical research points to the fact that you shouldn’t go under the knife dehydrated, either—which is why so many medical professionals are doing away with the old-school “nothing to eat or drink after midnight” rule and, instead, recommending patients nourish and hydrate with a presurgery electrolyte beverage. Electrolytes play a key role in helping us stay hydrated before surgery—and the ClearFast presurgery drink is chock-full of them. Plus, they also speed the absorption of ClearFast into the stomach, ensuring your stomach is
“Clear” (or empty) for safer surgery.

PRO TIP: We know what you’re thinking: don’t sports drinks have tons of electrolytes, too? They do…but they’re also full of simple sugars and harmful colored dyes, and weren’t formulated for presurgery use. We talk all about why ClearFast is a healthier, safer, more effective option for presurgery hydration and nourishment here.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is one of the most important ClearFast ingredients, as it helps support health and tissue function. According to Medicine Plus, “Vitamin A helps form and maintain healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin.”

Zinc and L-Citrulline: Next up on our list of ClearFast ingredients are Zinc and L-Citrulline, properties that help you heal faster. Zinc is a powerful and necessary mineral for wound healing. In fact, according to LiveStrong, “Poor nutrition makes wounds take longer to heal…the most important nutrients for wound healing are protein, zinc and vitamin C.” Every bottle of the ClearFast presurgery drink contains 35% of your daily value of zinc—ensuring you’re properly nourished with the minerals you need to heal faster upon waking from anesthesia. L-citrulline is an amino acid, which your body naturally converts to L-arginine, another type of amino acid that works to improve blood flow. Findings from a ResearchGate study on the healing effects of L-Citrulline concluded that L-Citrulline accelerated healing in all four experimental groups as compared to controls.

Selenium: Selenium is a trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant and contributes to healthy immune function. This is key for helping ensure your immune system is strong for surgery and protecting you against certain pathogens.

Complex carbs: We saved the best for last in our ClearFast ingredients breakdown! Complex carbs are one of the most beneficial—and important—ingredients in our presurgery drink, as they’re a key part of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (or ERAS®) protocols. ERAS® programs are programs that were first developed in the UK and have since been implemented in hospitals across the U.S. They’re all about ensuring your surgery recovery is the best it can be (faster, easier, and healthier). These programs are comprised of 17 key elements for your doctors to follow—and one of the key elements is preparing patients for surgery with a clear, complex-carb-rich presurgery drink (in place of the dated “fasting from midnight” method) to ensure better surgical outcomes and enhance your recovery after surgery. All in all, medical research shows that drinking complex carbs nourishes patients before surgery and enhances their recovery upon waking from anesthesia. (Psst…nourishing before surgery with complex carbs is also super helpful for those who suffer from post-op nausea and vomiting, an ailment that occurs as a result of being administered heavy anesthesia drugs on an empty stomach.)

What doesn’t ClearFast contain?

Just as important as what’s in ClearFast is what’s not in ClearFast. ClearFast is:

Gluten-free
Free of colored dyes
Free of unnatural ingredients
Free of simple sugars
Free of protein and fat

OK, so what do the ClearFast ingredients have to do with my overall surgery experience?

Great question! Together, the ClearFast ingredients work to improve your surgery experience in a number of proven ways, including:

Reducing pre-op anxiety: Nerves before surgery are only exacerbated by the fact you have absolutely nothing in your stomach. The ClearFast presurgery drink works to reduce the stress and anxiety that come along with being starved and dehydrated before surgery. In fact, 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 the old-school fasting-from-midnight option.

Reducing hunger and thirst: Like we said before, heading into surgery is like heading into a marathon—it makes no sense to deprive yourself of hydration and complex carbs before you’re getting ready to undertake major physical stress. ClearFast provides medical-grade hydration and acts as a liquid food, so your body has all of the nutrition it needs to go under the knife in its strongest state.

Making IV “sticks” easier: Being poked and prodded with IVs is never any fun. And have you noticed how it’s worse right before you go into surgery? That’s because dehydration from the old-school fasting-from-midnight instruction leads to reduced blood flow, which means it often takes your nurse multiple, painful IV sticks to find a good vein. ClearFast works to drastically reduce this problem by ensuring you’re properly hydrated before surgery and have healthy, easy-to-find veins!

Reducing post-op nausea & vomiting: Patients who typically experience nausea and vomiting upon waking from anesthesia say the same thing time and time again: drinking ClearFast before their surgery completely eliminated this problem for them. By nourishing and hydrating, ClearFast ensures you aren’t given those heavy anesthesia meds on an empty stomach—drastically reducing your chances of getting sick after surgery. (Psst…you can read more about how ClearFast reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting here.)

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Overall, the ClearFast ingredients are a powerful, effective mix of all-natural nourishment and minerals formulated based on medical research—all to ensure your surgery experience is less stressful and your recovery is faster and easier! If you’re ready for a stress-free surgery and fast recovery, you can order your ClearFast Recovery Drink 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.

Wellness + Medical Tips

Electrolytes for Hydration and Healing: What They Are & Why You Need Them

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date August 2, 2018
No Comments on Electrolytes for Hydration and Healing: What They Are & Why You Need Them

Ah, electrolytes—we know they’re good, and we know we need them…but what exactly are they? And, more importantly, what’s the deal with the importance of electrolytes for hydration and healing? If you find yourself wondering why in the world you hear so much talk about the power of electrolytes for hydration and unsure of what, exactly, that means (or what electrolytes even are in the first place)—not to fear: you’re not alone. Today on the blog we’re answering all of your electrolyte-related questions, starting with the most pressing: What are they, anyway?

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Ok, so what are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are simply minerals that are electric. This includes minerals like calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. (Are we taking you back to your high-school chemistry class yet?) When in a fluid environment (i.e. water), these minerals carry an electric charge. Looking for another explanation? Scientific American puts it this way: “In the world of nutrition, we use the word ‘electrolyte’ more specifically to refer to minerals dissolved in the body’s fluids, creating electrically charged ions. The electrolytes that are the most important in nutrition are sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate.”

What role do electrolytes play in our bodies?

Electrolytes are like the little engines that can in our bodies. They serve a number of roles, which, together, help to ensure our cells, tissues, and fluids can “communicate,” allowing our bodies to function properly. These roles include:

Sparking nerve impulses (nerve impulses allow muscles to contract, which, for example keeps your heart beating)
Balancing the amount of water in our bodies
Balancing blood acidity and blood pressure
Aiding in rebuilding damaged tissues

How do you lose electrolytes, and who is susceptible to electrolyte depletion?

You don’t just lose water when you sweat—you also lose electrolytes. So, athletes who train regularly, those who workout in heated fitness classes (like hot yoga, hot barre, hot bootcamp, etc.) regularly, and even those who live in humid clients are all susceptible to electrolyte depletion. The elderly can also be susceptible—along with those with heart failure, kidney disease, or women who are breastfeeding. People who take laxatives or diuretics are also susceptible to major electrolyte loss. Another group susceptible to dehydration and electrolyte depletion is people undergoing surgery. When patients are directed to fast from midnight (an old-school instruction that’s not science-based), they often end up vastly dehydrated and malnourished prior to undergoing anesthesia. A great way to stay safe for surgery by ensuring your stomach is empty while still maintaining a proper electrolyte balance (which is so important for a healthy and fast recovery) is to ask your doctor about consuming a presurgery drink like ClearFast prior to your procedure in place of traditional fasting from midnight. (Read more about talking to your doctor about using a presurgery drink here!)

Why do you need electrolytes for hydration and healing?

So what, exactly, makes electrolytes for hydration so important? Electrolytes are essential to a properly functioning body—and they’re even more so essential to a properly hydrated body. They are the minerals responsible for directing water to those areas in your body that need it most. They also help maintain optimal fluid balance within cells themselves. When we sweat, it is electrolytes that do the important job of keeping proper water balances both inside and outside of our cells. This helps us stay properly hydrated and ensures our body can function well overall, which is essential for healing after something like surgery or a medical procedure. Put simply: without electrolytes, your heart wouldn’t beat and you wouldn’t be able to function. (Say what?)

Do sports drinks provide proper electrolytes for hydration?

In a word—no! According to Elete Co., “Despite their popularity amongst certain groups, sports drinks are a poor choice to stay hydrated.” Sports drinks are essentially simple-sugar-laden water with a little sodium thrown in, touted as “electrolyte replenishment.” Also according to Elete Co., the simple sugar in Gatorade® is equivalent to 13 Tootsie Rolls. And the simple sugar in Powerade®? Well, that’s equivalent to 16 Tootsie rolls. (16 Tootsie Rolls—think about that!)

When you’re using electrolytes for hydration and healing, it’s important to look for balance. You want to choose a drink that offers a proper balance of electrolytes and healthy carbohydrates—and one that isn’t chock-full of simple sugars (which can further dehydrate you by reducing the amount of fluid your body is able to retain). Specially formulated for use in luminary hospitals across the U.S., the ClearFast preop drink contains electrolytes for hydration (as properly balanced sodium and potassium), 50 grams of complex carbohydrates (rather than simple sugars), is clear and colorless (kiss harmful colored dyes goodbye), is free of preservatives, and is gluten-free and full of all-natural ingredients—so it’s a perfect choice for those looking for electrolytes for hydration and healing.

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Overall, when it comes to electrolytes for hydration, it all comes down to choosing a drink that’s well balanced…rather than one that’s chock-full of as much sugar as you’d find in Halloween candy. Ready to have ClearFast on-hand for the next time you need medical-grade hydration at your fingertips after an electrolyte-depleting workout or procedure? You can order ClearFast here or 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!

Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery Wellness + Medical Tips

When Water Won’t Cut It: 5 Times Your Body Needs a Recovery Drink

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date July 20, 2018
No Comments on When Water Won’t Cut It: 5 Times Your Body Needs a Recovery Drink

What exactly is dehydration?

According to The New York Times, “Water is the single most important substance we consume. You can survive for about two months without food, but you would die in about seven days without water.”
Even mild dehydration can affect your ability to think clearly.
Dizziness, rapid heart rate, sleepiness, lack of energy, and irritability can all be signs of dehydration.
Our thirst mechanism is specifically designed to tell us when our body needs to increase our fluid intake. If you’re thirsty, you’re likely already dehydrated.
According to Medical Daily.com “60 percent of our bodies is composed of water, 75 percent in our muscles, 85 percent in our brains…”

How does dehydration before surgery affect me?

Painful IV “Sticks”: Dehydration leads to reduced blood flow. This can often mean it takes multiple, painful IV sticks for a nurse to find a “good” vein (the last thing you want to experience when you’re already stressed and worried before surgery).

Post-Op Nausea & Vomiting: Ever woken up from surgery and felt immediately sick to your stomach? You’re not alone: in fact, one in three patients suffers from post-op nausea and vomiting. Dehydration before surgery—combined with the strong anesthesia meds you’re administered on an empty stomach—plays a major part in this. (Psst…learn more about reducing your risk of getting sick after anesthesia here.)

An Increased Risk of Surgical Complications: It’s no surprise that entering into surgery in a weakened state can set the stage for surgical complications and a tough recovery. In fact, according to a PubMed.gov medical study, “Preoperative dehydration is associated with increased rates of postoperative ARF, MI, and cardiac arrest.”

Is it OK to hydrate before surgery?

If my doctor says it’s OK, how do I safely hydrate before surgery?

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Healing Tips Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

The Ultimate Life Hack for Quick Healing: Using ClearFast For a Fast Surgery Recovery

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date July 12, 2018
No Comments on The Ultimate Life Hack for Quick Healing: Using ClearFast For a Fast Surgery Recovery

When it comes to going under anesthesia, we all want the same thing: a successful procedure and a fast surgery recovery. As much as we love a great hospital bed (hint: not at all), we have to admit there’s nothing better than getting home and starting on the recovery process! Today, then, we’re breaking down all you need to know about using ClearFast for a fast surgery recovery and speedy healing process. We’ll cover:

Using ClearFast after your surgery

Combining ClearFast with healthy meals

The ingredients in ClearFast that make for a fast surgery recovery

Other life hacks ClearFast can be used for

Now, let’s dig in…

Can I have ClearFast after surgery?

You may know by now that ClearFast is used as a presurgery drink for a less stressful and overall safer surgery experience. But, don’t throw out those leftover ClearFast bottles just because your procedure is over! ClearFast can also be used after your procedure for an enhanced healing process and fast surgery recovery. We recommend having a chilled bottle of ClearFast right when you get home from the hospital. Your stomach may still be a bit rocky from the anesthesia meds, which means you likely won’t be ready for solid foods right away. Drinking ClearFast after your surgery, then, is a great way to ensure your body is getting medical-grade hydration and nutrition without upsetting your stomach.

Can I replace meals with ClearFast while I heal?

Your doctor will make specific recommendations regarding when it’s safe to go back on solid food. Be sure you follow those instructions and, remember, ClearFast doesn’t have protein and fat—so it’s not a long-term meal replacement. Instead, we recommend mixing ClearFast with safe, doctor-recommended solid foods to ensure you’re getting proper nutrition. When combined with healthy meals, ClearFast is a super powerful tool for fast surgery recovery.

What’s in ClearFast, and how does it make for fast surgery recovery?

In addition to being clear and colorless (so it contains are ZERO harmful dyes) and gluten-free (bonus!), ClearFast is chock-full of all-natural ingredients that make for a potent, effective and safe recovery drink. These include:

Electrolytes: For optimal hydration
Zinc and L-Citrulline: Properties that help heal
Vitamin A: To support health and tissue function
Selenium: A trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant and contributes to healthy immune function.
Complex carbs: For extended energy and nutrition

Are there other uses for ClearFast that might be helpful to know about?

Of course there are! The great thing about the ClearFast presurgery drink is that it’s not just for procedures and fast surgery recovery. It can also help when you’re on the mend from a number of things, like: colds, flu, hot yoga sessions, marathons…or even hangovers! (Psst…you can learn more about using ClearFast for hydrating fast for a number of life events here.)

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Overall, fast surgery recovery is all about feeding your body the minerals and electrolytes it needs to heal itself in a healthy and fast manner. Because it’s so easy to drink on a finicky stomach (and is free of harmful dyes and unnatural ingredients), ClearFast is the perfect post-surgery drink for those who want to speed up their recovery process and get back to their everyday life with a bang!

If you’re ready for fast surgery recovery, you can order your ClearFast Presurgery Drink 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.

Presurgery Nutrition

Surgery With ClearFast and Without: The Difference is Clear

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date July 5, 2018
No Comments on Surgery With ClearFast and Without: The Difference is Clear

When it comes to undergoing surgery with ClearFast, there are endless benefits we could tell you about for both your presurgery experience and your recovery…but perhaps the best way to gain a comprehensive understanding of ClearFast’s benefits is to compare what surgery is like with ClearFast versus what it’s like without the help of ClearFast. Today, then, that’s exactly what we’re doing! Read on to learn more about the major (as in, super major) difference the ClearFast preop drink will make in your surgery experience and recovery process.

Surgery Without ClearFast

Without ClearFast, there are a number of negative side effects of preparing to undergo (and ultimately undergoing) anesthesia, including:

Anxiety Before Surgery

Surgery can be an extremely stressful experience. When you starve and dehydrate your body before surgery, you only exacerbate that stress and anxiety. There’s a reason hangry is on Merriam Webster’s list of words to watch—it’s a real thing…and the last thing you want to be headed into a stressful surgery experience is, well, hangry.

Intense Hunger

Most patients experience intense hunger when undergoing the old-school way of “fasting from midnight.” Going into surgery is just as stressful on your body as, for example, heading into a marathon. You wouldn’t starve yourself the night before a major marathon—so it makes no sense to starve yourself the night before a procedure, colonoscopy or surgery.

Increased Infection Rates

Starving before surgery leads to high blood sugars. Add an open surgical wound to that, and you’ve got a recipe for an increased risk of infection (which can mean prolonged recovery and being readmitted to the hospital—no thank you!).

Nausea & Vomiting

Are you one of those patients who wakes up from anesthesia sick to your stomach? There’s no worse feeling than waking up from surgery—groggy and out of it—only to start vomiting and ultimately learn you can’t be released from that uncomfortable hospital setting until your nauseous spell is over. The nausea and vomiting an estimated one in three patients experience upon waking from surgery is largely due to the fact they had nothing in their stomach when they were administered heavy anesthesia drugs. Think about it: Most of us can’t even take an ibuprofen on an empty stomach without getting nauseous, so imagine what taking powerful anesthesia drugs can do to your stomach after you haven’t had anything to eat or drink for hours on end!

Acids in Stomach

Turns out that starving yourself before surgery actually doesn’t empty your stomach as it was originally intended to do (which is yet another reason hospitals and physicians across the U.S. are doing away with the old-school recommendation to fast from midnight). Dangerous acids build up in your stomach as a result of hunger and dehydration—this ultimately increases your risk for anesthesia-related aspiration. (Aspiration is essentially the entry of your stomach contents into the lower respiratory tract and lungs, which can be very dangerous when you’re under anesthesia.)

Surgery With ClearFast

Now that we know all of the negative side effects of undergoing surgery without ClearFast, it’s time to get to the good stuff—breaking down the benefits of surgery with ClearFast! Read on for the endless benefits you can reap from simply consuming our tasty preop drink hours before your surgery.

Calm Before Surgery

Tired of feeling anxious and stressed before surgery? Patients who drink ClearFast before surgery are often less anxious and describe themselves as up to 5 times more comfortable than their cohorts who underwent the old-school fasting-from-midnight method.

Nourished & Hydrated

Surgery with ClearFast means you no longer have to head to the surgery center starved and dehydrated. ClearFast is the only presurgery drink of its kind that is rich in complex carbs and provides medical-grade hydration. Ultimately, ClearFast nourishes with just the right amount of calories and hydrates with a plethora of all-important electrolytes. Plus, it’s clear and colorless (goodbye, harmful dyes!), contains all-natural ingredients and is gluten-free.

Reduced Infection Risk

Remember how we talked above about prolonged fasts leading to increased blood sugars and, ultimately, a body that’s ripe for an increased risk of infection? Surgery with ClearFast works to drastically reduce your risk of infection by stabilizing blood sugars. Psst…you know what a reduced risk of post-surgery infection means? A reduced risk of having to return to the hospital (whew!).

Comfortable Recovery

Time and time again, patients who typically experience nausea and vomiting upon waking from anesthesia say the same thing: drinking ClearFast before their surgery completely eliminated this problem for them. By nourishing and hydrating (and reducing those dangerous stomach acids as a result), ClearFast drastically reduces your chances of getting sick after surgery. (Psst…you can read more about how ClearFast reduces your risk of post-op nausea and vomiting here.)

Clear Stomach

A rose by any other name? We gave ClearFast its name because it does just that—clears from your stomach fast. (This doesn’t mean it’s a laxative or “clears you out.” More on that here. ) One of the major reasons patients are instructed to “fast from midnight” before their surgery is because matter left behind in the stomach can put a patient at risk of aspiration during surgery. Modern medical research has found, though, that patients who drink clear liquid before surgery have even emptier stomachs than patients who didn’t eat or drink anything before their surgery—ultimately reducing their risk of aspiration. This is because, when you follow the recommended protocol and drink ClearFast two hours before surgery, your stomach safely absorbs it and any dangerous stomach acids along with it—leaving your stomach clear, and greatly reducing your risk of aspiration.

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Overall, more and more modern medical research points to the fact that surgery with ClearFast makes for safer, less stressful procedures and enhanced recovery after surgery. Ready to have ClearFast on-hand for your next procedure? You can order ClearFast here or 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!

Preparing for Surgery Presurgery Nutrition

10 Mistakes You’re Making When Preparing for Surgery

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date June 28, 2018
No Comments on 10 Mistakes You’re Making When Preparing for Surgery

When it comes to preparing for surgery, there’s so much to consider. From transportation plans to remembering to pick-up those all-important prescriptions, there are countless different tasks you can easily forget to take care of ahead of time—especially when you’re anxious and overwhelmed about going under anesthesia. To help you on your quest to ensure a smooth procedure and seamless recovery (sans unwelcome surprises!), we’ve rounded up the top 10 mistakes patients make when preparing for surgery. Read on to learn how you can plan for and avoid each.

Putting off buying crucial supplies

Whether it’s a heating pad, ice packs, ace bandages, or medications, properly preparing for surgery means stocking up on everything you’ll need to recover in comfort ahead of time. And, by “ahead of time”, we mean at least 2-3 days before your surgery. Patients often procrastinate when it comes to buying the supplies they need for recovery, only to find the drug store is sold out of them the night prior. You don’t want to be stuck without crucial supplies and meds, so be sure to purchase everything you need a minimum of 48 hours in advance. (This includes filling any post-op prescriptions ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry about waiting for your pain meds to be filled when you need them most upon waking from surgery.)

Being too shy to ask your doctor questions

We get it: doctors are intimidating. They tend to use confusing jargon or medical terms we don’t fully understand—and they’re often extremely busy, which can often make us feel like we’re a burden if we ask questions. But a good physician will understand that answering your pre-surgery questions is a crucial part of her or his job. We recommend having a list of questions to ask prepared ahead of your pre-op appointment. Bring them with you in digital or print form, and ask away at your appointment (and be sure to record the answers clearly!). Asking questions may be intimidating, but it’s absolutely essential—especially when it comes to keeping up your end of the bargain as far as recovery goes: be sure you understand when and how you’re supposed to change your dressings, what meds you should take and when, etc.

Not securing a back-up ride

We’ve seen this one happen more often than you may think: you have a ride to-and-from the surgical center secured…only to find out your driver had a last-minute emergency and can no longer take the wheel, so to speak. Be sure you have a Plan B in place to avoid this. Communicate with a back-up driver ahead of time and let her or him know when they can expect to hear from you with the final word on whether or not they’ll be needed.

Not prepping your house for your homecoming

When it comes to preparing for surgery, so many of us forget this crucial step—only to come home exhausted (and out of it from anesthesia!) and have to move pillows and blankets around, set up our spot near the TV, etc. Save your post-surgery self the trouble by preparing an area for your recovery ahead of time. Make sure everything you need is easily accessible in one area (your laptop, charging cords, television remotes, books, pillows, blankets…even a cooler with water and other items is a great idea to have nearby).

Not asking your doctor about a fluid fast in place of “nothing after midnight”

So many patients think they still have to fast before surgery, but more and more medical research is pointing to the fact that hydrating and nourishing with a clear, complex-carb-rich preop drink is a much safer and healthier choice. If your doctor recommends the old-school method of fasting from midnight, be sure you ask her or him about the option to consume a preop drink like ClearFast instead. Nourishing with a presugery drink (and we’re talking an actual presurgery drink—not the flavored sugar water that is sports drinks) has a whole host of proven benefits, including: making you feel less stressed and more comfortable prior to surgery (because you’re not starved and dehydrated), making IV “sticks” easier and less painful (veins are easier to find when we’re properly hydrated), reducing your chances of post-op nausea and vomiting, reducing your risk of surgical infection, and enhancing your recovery time. (Psst..you can read more about why you shouldn’t fast before surgery here.)

Not requesting enough time off

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to be the hero. You think, I’m tough—I’ll recover faster than the doctors say! I don’t need to take that much time off work! But recovering from surgery has nothing to do with your physical “toughness”—no matter how strong or healthy you are, going under anesthesia is a major physical and mental stressor…and you need to allow yourself an ample amount of time to recover from that before you dive right back into your daily routine. Always play it safe when requesting time off work by asking for more—not less—time than you think you may need. If you’re able to go back sooner, great—but it’s far better than not requesting enough time off and having to make a last-minute call to your boss to request more time off.

Keeping it a secret from important people in your life

When it comes to preparing for surgery, this may be the most common mistake of them all. So many of us don’t want to worry our loved ones when we’re going under the knife—so we opt to not mention our upcoming procedure at all. Although rare, surgery can have its complications—and, should something unexpected happen, the last thing you want is for the people you love the most to be completely unaware of your situation, what hospital you’re in, how to find you, which doctor’s care you’re under, etc.

Neglecting to ask for much-needed help

For complicated procedures or those that have a longer recovery time, you may need someone to come by your house to help out with daily tasks as you recover (or even just to feed your dogs or water your plants while you’re still in the hospital). Don’t feel like you’re a burden on someone by asking—close friends and family are our close friends and family for a reason: they want to help us when we’re in need. If you feel like you won’t be able to move around very well after your surgery, consider asking for a home helper ahead of time—whether that means having them grocery shop for you, walk your dogs, or even just bring you the occasional meal (or chocolate milkshake, of course!).

Stocking up on sports drinks for recovery

Somewhere along the line, we all got the idea that dyed sugar water was the ultimate in recovery nutrition. But, it turns out, your body needs something a little different than simple sugar and harmful colored dyes to recover after surgery. ClearFast is chock-full of ingredients that make for enhanced recovery after surgery, like electrolytes (for optimal hydration), Zinc and L-Citrulline (properties that help heal), Vitamin A (to support health and tissue function), and selenium (a trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant and contributes to healthy immune function). Replace your sugary sports drinks with a beverage that’s rich in complex carbs and offers medical-grade hydration for optimal nutrition and a faster, easier recovery.

Not paying attention to the importance of scheduling

Did you know that early morning surgeries tend to go smoother than late-in-the-day ones? And have you ever heard that a good rule of thumb is to avoid July surgeries like the plague? Something so many people don’t realize when preparing for surgery is the importance of smart surgery scheduling. On top of knowing when to schedule your surgery from a statistics and success-rate perspective, you also want to consider your own lifestyle. Don’t go under for a procedure right before a big work deadline or planned travel unless it’s absolutely imperative, and if you’re having something done that requires you stay out of the sun for a while, you obviously don’t want to go in for surgery during hot summer months.

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Overall, preparing for surgery takes a whole lot of smart planning and prepping, but it’s totally worth it when your recovery is made that much easier! If you’re ready to head into surgery like a champ, you can order your ClearFast Presurgery Drink 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!

For Med Pros

Patient Satisfaction is Tied to Increased Doctor Pay, New Study Shows

Post author By Gillian Griffith
Post date June 21, 2018
No Comments on Patient Satisfaction is Tied to Increased Doctor Pay, New Study Shows

As medical professionals, higher patient satisfaction and better surgical outcomes are always something you’re aiming for…for obvious reasons. But a recent study finds that there’s one new major reason to place even more emphasis on happier, healthier patients and better outcomes: your paycheck may depend on it. Today, we’ll cover:

The link between patient satisfaction scores and doctor pay

How to increase patient comfort to yield better patient satisfaction scores

How doing away with NPO leads to:

Increased patient comfort

Reduced PONV & shorter hospital stays

Better surgical outcomes

Reduced instances of readmission

Now, let’s dig in…

The link between patient satisfaction scores and doctor pay:

According to a recent Forbes article, More Doctor Pay Tied to Patient Satisfaction and Outcomes, organizations that analyze doctor compensation are noticing a clear trend: as insurance companies move away from fee-for-service reimbursement, they’re turning more toward value-based metrics—such as patient satisfaction scores and outcome measures. In fact, Merritt Hawkins, a physician staffing firm, found in its 2018 review that 43% of its clients who offered doctors a production bonus in 2017 based that additional compensation on value-based metrics. That number is up from 39% the year prior and 32% in 2015.

We also know that there’s a clear trend of health insurance companies—named in the Forbes article are: Anthem, UnitedHealth Group, Aetna, Cigna—that are now shifting more than half of their reimbursement to value-based models, compensating physicians based on things like the health outcomes of their patients and the overall quality of care they deliver. So, what does this mean for practicing physicians? In short, it means that patient satisfaction and health outcomes are more important now than ever—as your paycheck, quite literally, depends on it.

How to increase patient comfort and improve outcomes to yield better patient satisfaction scores:

It’s no surprise that one key factor in patient satisfaction is patient comfort—the two are inherently linked. One simple solution for increasing patient comfort—and, therefore, patient satisfaction—is to replace the old-school fasting-from-midnight (NPO) instructions with an option that allows patients to safely hydrate and nourish with an effective preop drink instead. By allowing patients to consume a clear, complex carbohydrate-rich beverage in place of NPO, you’re able to increase patient satisfaction, reduce PONV (thereby decreasing the length of hospital stay), produce better surgical outcomes, and reduce the chance of readmission—all of which, we now know, are tied to increased physician compensation:

Increased Patient Comfort: In a large controlled study, patients in the pre-op area who consumed the ClearFast preop drink were 5.5-6.5 times more likely to describe themselves as “comfortable” than their cohorts who underwent traditional fasting from midnight/NPO. Increased patient comfort, we know, leads to higher patient satisfaction scores (HCAHPS)…and, ultimately, increased paychecks.

Reduced PONV & Shorter Hospital Stays: In addition to creating a more comfortable pre-surgery experience for patients, fluid fasting with the ClearFast presurgery drink reduces a patient’s risk of PONV, ultimately decreasing the length of his or her hospital stay. Again, this ties directly into patient satisfaction scores.

Better Surgical Outcomes: There are a number of ways in which the ClearFast preop drink (in place of NPO) makes for safer surgeries and better overall patient outcomes. Not only does consuming ClearFast work to reduce the risk of surgical site infection—but it also leads to lower stomach acidity and, therefore, a reduced risk of aspiration under anesthesia.

Reduced Instances of Readmission: Getting your patients out of the door in a timely manner after surgery is a great start—but that doesn’t mean much if they soon come back due to a terrible infection. Readmission due to infection drastically affects patient satisfaction scores (HCAHPS), as well as how much your hospital gets paid. Because ClearFast is proven to reduce a patient’s risk of surgical site infection (you can read more about the role ClearFast plays in reducing a patient’s risk of infection here), it, in turn, reduces the chances for costly patient readmission—ultimately keeping patients healthy and happy and positively impacting your hospital’s bottom line (and your paycheck).

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Overall, ClearFast is such an easy, simple, safe and effective solution for drastically increasing your patient satisfaction scores and, therefore, increasing compensation. If you’re ready to have ClearFast on-hand at your medical practice or hospital, you can order ClearFast here. Or, feel free to reach out to the ClearFast team at support@drinkcf.com if you have any questions at all. We’re always happy to help!

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