We are designed to have 24-hour rhythms to our physiology and metabolism. Our bodies have an internal clock that we refer to as our circadian rhythm. This internal clock is influenced primarily by light exposure during the day and darkness during the night. Ideally, sunlight at sunrise “sets the clock” while darkness after sunset “winds the clock down.” We have a wake cycle, activated by light exposure, during the day and a sleep cycle, activated by darkness, at night. Many organs show daily changes in their function based on circadian influences. Genetic expression, which genes are turned on and which genes are turned off, is also directly influenced by circadian rhythms. In fact, thousands of genes change their expression according to circadian rhythms throughout the day and night. Continue reading
In previous posts we reviewed how intermittent fasting, or time-restricted eating, heightens the process of autophagy. Autophagy is derived from the Greek prefix “auto” meaning self, and the Greek word “phagy” meaning eating. Don’t be grossed out but autophagy literally means self-eating!
Autophagy is a fascinating physiologic process in our bodies that is essentially a cellular-cleaning and recycling system. When activated, autophagy cleans up cellular debris, damaged cells and damaged cell components, and also removes cellular waste. It is an intrinsic mechanism for damage repair. I like to think of it as a way to clean the junk from our trunk! Autophagy is an essential process to maintain cellular homeostasis, ensuring a stable, relatively constant internal environment. Continue reading
Remarkably, science has shown that, contrary to previous, long-held dogma, we have the ability to create new brain cells throughout our lives via a process called neurogenesis. Yes, we can grow new brain cells even as adults! (Go ahead, text your kids, you are getting older AND getting smarter!)
Neurogenesis occurs utilizing a naturally occurring protein in the brain called BDNF, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Continue reading
With the addition of healthy fats into our diets, we notice significantly diminished appetite, elimination of cravings and progressively longer intervals between meals. This occurs, not because of a sudden infusion of willpower and resolve, but rather, this occurs because we have successfully shifted our metabolism and have become proficient fat-burners. Continue reading
1) EAT LESS, EXERCISE MORE, TO LOSE WEIGHT
WHY NOT: This advice implies that if you are overweight it’s simply because you eat too much and don’t exercise enough. Most people will not effectively burn fat following this advice. We need to eat LESS processed-food and eat MORE healthy-food. We need to exercise MORE efficiently but NOT excessively.
INSTEAD: Eat more nutrient-dense food and avoid processed foods. Focus on high-quality proteins, fats and low-glycemic carbohydrates to balance blood sugar and promote fat burning. Eat Paleo. In addition, promote fat-burning metabolism with short-duration, high-intensity exercise.
Our lifestyle choices can greatly impact our hormone production.
I frequently see male patients in my office with hormone imbalances that are the result of poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, high-stress levels and poor sleep patterns. Continue reading