Been feeling a bit lazy in the morning recently, or maybe you’ve been told you should lower your adenosine levels? Don’t worry; we’ve all been there. Occasional low-energy levels are usually nothing to be alarmed about.
By making some small lifestyle changes, you’ll sleep more effectively and wake up in a determined mood. If you’re having a hard time feeling energetic in the morning or getting work done, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about lowering your adenosine levels.
The Short Answer
In short, you can reduce your adenosine levels by significantly reducing caffeine intake and exposure in the long term – not just temporarily. Avoid drinking coffee late at night, and limit your caffeine dosage. Also, consider occasionally drinking decaf.
So What Is Adenosine, Anyway?
Think of it this way…
Have you ever thought about what happens in your body, when you lift a heavy dumbbell at the gym? Several things, including the release of adenosine, a chemical found inside our body’s cells. But why does our body need adenosine, and why might you want to lower your levels?
Continue reading to find out!
We’ve covered adenosine before, revealing what happens to adenosine levels when you sleep, but today’s short guide exists specifically to help you lower your levels!
How to Lower Your Adenosine Levels: A Quick Guide for Men
As we’ve mentioned, try cutting down on your caffeine intake in order to lower your adenosine levels quickly. The problem? Our society runs on caffeine!
So you can’t (read: shouldn’t) just try to stop drinking coffee all the sudden; you have to take it slow.
For example, if you drink two or three cups of coffee per day, consider reducing your intake to just one. Also, consider reducing your number of random espresso shots. Naturally, a double shot of espresso has double the caffeine content of a single shot.
A lot of guys get great results by drawing a hard time limit on daily caffeine; say, avoiding coffee after 2 p.m., to maintain a balanced sleep cycle.
If you want even faster results, you may want to quit caffeine consumption for a while. Yeah, yeah, we know that’s a bit harsh, and you’ll have to suffer a bit…
… but the results will definitely be worth it in the long run. Try to cycle off caffeine for a while, discipline yourself, and see how far you can go.
The Relationship Between Adenosine & Caffeine
Caffeine’s widely believed to be the number one factor attributed to high adenosine levels. Grabbing that daily cup of morning coffee is something we all do, to get through those long workdays.
But before we get into the reason why too much caffeine may not be good for you, let’s first explain what it does to your body, and how it interferes with your sleep.
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that improves your central nervous system’s functions, making you feel more awake and energetic.
It also slightly elevates your heart rate, which can help with weight loss. Not to mention, it triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine – the “feel-good” chemical.
Yeahhhh…. you know!
The effects of caffeine usually start to kick in within an hour, but your body takes 4-6 hours to get rid of only half the dose – what’s called a half life. This means if you drink 200 mg at 10 a.m., around 3 p.m. you’ll still have ~100 mg in your bloodstream!
But How Does Caffeine Affect Your Adenosine Levels?
Well, when caffeine enters your body, it blocks adenosine receptors by attaching itself to the same effectors adenosine molecules latch onto… which causes adenosine to build up.
Usually, these high adenosine levels aren’t entirely activated before going to bed. This causes you to sleep with too much “unused” adenosine in your body. In other words, you go to sleep just because you “should”… but you don’t actually feel like sleeping.
Once you wake up, you’ll feel groggy, so you grab another cup of coffee, and the vicious cycle repeats.
Don’t get us wrong; coffee isn’t necessarily bad for your health.
In fact, we love this little tool for increased productivity stints, when it applies to doing the work that matters. Examples are work that increases your freedom, options, mobility, health, or happiness as a man.
Besides, coffee is also associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and diabetes! It’s also an excellent natural pre-workout supplement. The whole problem lies in the caffeine dosage in your daily cups of coffee.
Why The Right Levels of Adenosine
Are Excellent for Your Health
Here are some of the primary benefits of adenosine:
- It gives you a great night’s rest,
- Adenosine ensures a balanced sleep cycle,
- It can reduce your blood pressure levels,
- Optimizes your immune system’s response mechanisms,
- Improves brain function (by regulating complex neurotransmitters),
- Prevents extra inflammation,
- Maintains glucose levels & helps prevent obesity, and
- May even protect you from diabetes!
Alright, now you’re likely asking yourself why you’d ever want to lower your adenosine levels… if they’re a natural and helpful?
The answer, is simply that too much adenosine makes you feel drained. You’re supposed to feel energetic and productive after 6-8 hours of sleep!
As you get older, your body’s mitochondria reserves start gradually decreasing, which explains why older men don’t have as much energy as younger guys. Age isn’t the only factor affecting your adenosine levels, though. Many factors come into play – like caffeine consumption, stress, and activity levels.
What Causes Adenosine to Build Up?
The cells in your body fuel you with the energy you need to get work done, maintain a productive lifestyle, exercise, and improve yourself. The primary fuel providers inside these cells are called Mitochondria.
Mitochondria naturally release Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) during physical and mental activities. This makes sleep much easier, after your energy’s swamped.
When ATP is consumed, it decomposes further into adenosine.
When you eat, the enzymes in your digestive system break down glucose via a process called glycolysis. This supplies your body with the fuel it needs. Once the sugar is all consumed, adenosine sends a signal to your brain by making you feel drowsy.
This kickstarts the initial non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep phases.
It’s a great health optimization to eat in moderation, or practice fasting, for a host of benefits. But beyond this, it helps you avoid producing excess adenosine, which could disrupt your sleep cycles. It’s best to avoid food overconsumption in general, to prevent weight gain (unless it’s bulking season, baby!).
Adenosine Levels & Physical Activity
Physical activity is a surefire way to give your adenosine levels a boost. It’s your body’s natural response to supply you with energy when you need it the most. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you can hit the gym before bed to increase your adenosine levels, which will make you feel sleepier.
However, extreme physical activity may cause your adenosine levels to spike dramatically, which can do more harm than good. As we’ve recommended in another adenosine levels article, it’s a good idea to practice mobility exercises, stretching, or other relaxing movements before bed.
Possible Complications & Side Effects of High Adenosine Levels
Other than the occasional morning grogginess you may feel, too much adenosine can lead to some mild to severe complications in the long term, which include:
Tissue Damage
High levels of adenosine may cause hypersensitivity, a sign of chronic tissue damage. A small wound may feel very painful to you, while it’d feel mild for someone whose adenosine levels are within the normal range.
Immune Suppression
Increased immunosuppression is linked to abnormally high adenosine levels. This puts you at greater risk of autoimmune disease. It’s in this condition, where your body attacks your healthy cells.
Brain Disorders
Abnormally high adenosine levels can be the trigger for several various brain disorders.
Tumor Growth
Research has shown that high levels of adenosine may cause adenosine to build up around tumors, making them unrecognizable to your immune system. This means that cancer will be undetectable in its initial stages.
Related Adenosine Questions:
What Blocks Adenosine Receptors?
The biological effects of methylxanthines like caffeine and theophylline are the leading causes of blocked adenosine receptors. Theophylline (found in chocolate) is another adenosine antagonist.
What Foods Increase Adenosine?
Some of the foods that boost your adenosine levels include chicken, turkey, tuna, nuts, and salmon. Generally speaking, all foods that contain fatty acids and proteins will increase adenosine.
How Long Does It Take for Adenosine Receptors to Return to Normal?
Typically, adenosine receptors should get back to normal within 7-12 days if you completely eliminate caffeine from your diet. This is a wise move if you want to ‘reset’ and come back to a normal baseline. This helps you begin healthier habits of sleep, caffeination, and exercise.
Our Final Thoughts On
Lowering Adenosine Levels
This post should’ve helped you develop a more conclusive idea around how to “optimize” your adenosine levels – and lower them if you decide you need to.
Remember to keep caffeine intake to a minimum, get proper rest and recovery, and optimize your sleep cycles around a bedtime routine for best results!
