Add & Subtract - Metabolic Balance

This week we explore Metabolic Balance

 
ADD FASTING

Tia has been exploring ways to improve her metabolism, and I am onboard even though I don’t know what she’ll be making for dinner, or even if there will be any…

Metabolism refers to the chemical processes in the body that convert food into energy, eliminate waste and build new cells. Fasting is one of the key ways to improve these processes. The benefits begin to cut in after only 8 hours without food, so short, intermittent fasts (eg eat 8 hours, fast 16) can have significant impact.

Research supports ancient knowledge that fasting is good for us. It increases:

Ketones (sign body burning fat instead of glucose)
Mitochondrial stress resistance
Antioxidant defenses
Autophagy (detox, repair and removal of diseased cells)
DNA repair
While fasting decreases:

Glycogen
Insulin
Body fat
Blood pressure
Cholesterol, and more…
Looks like food is off the menu!

Functional health expert Dr Mindy Pelz:

“In the absence of food our cells get stronger, not weaker…

Over time our cells accumulate a variety of damaged organelles, proteins, oxidised particles, and harmful pathogens. When in a state of autophagy [“self-eating”],our brilliant cells will detox these malfunctioning parts out of the cell, thus revitalising them.

This cellular reboot is a large reason why so many fasters feel younger and more vibrant the more times they dip into an autophagy state”

Source: Fast Like a Girl

SUBTRACT BLOOD SUGAR SPIKES

Apparently not just diabetics, but 80% of the population experience glucose spikes. Too high blood sugar: overwhelms our cellular mitochondria, causing inflammation and shutdown (problems with energy production); accelerates the aging process called glycation (see quote below); increases insulin levels, deactivating fat burning.

Some of the symptoms linked to glucose spikes are:

Cravings
Chronic fatigue
Weight gain
Poor sleep
Brain fog
Depression, anxiety
Skin conditions
Hormonal problems
Diabetes
Cancer
Alzheimer’s, dementia
Hacks to mitigate these spikes, according to the Goddess below, include having a savoury breakfast (rather than sweet cereals, juice), a daily tablespoon of vinegar (reduces the spike) and doing exercise within 90 minutes of a meal (burns off some glucose).

Looks like dessert is definitely off the menu!!

Biochemist and author Jessie Inchauspe:

“You may think that if we need glucose for energy, more glucose will give us more energy…that’s not the case: a plant needs some water to live, but if you give it too much it dies.

The more glucose spikes we experience, the faster we age. Each glucose spike (especially those that come from sweet foods) accelerates glycation. This shows on our skin with wrinkles, as well as internally as our organs slowly deteriorate”

Source: The Glucose Goddess Method