Muscle is a critical component of our body composition. Our body composition consists of fat, muscle, bone, organs and water. Muscle could be called the “strong and silent” component. I liken it to valuable real estate that we need to preserve and maintain over our lifetime. Unfortunately, aging and suboptimal lifestyle decisions can destroy this precious real estate. We must actively intervene to protect, build and sustain our muscle mass. Continue reading “MUSCLE MATTERS: STRONG AGING”
Tag: Diet
NEUROGENESIS: BRAIN IMPROVEMENTS
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 “NEUROGENESIS: BRAIN IMPROVEMENTS”
MITOCHONDRIAL MAKEOVER: HIIT High Intensity Interval Training
Now that we are adjusting our nutrition to reap the wellness benefits of a low-carb, high-fat diet with nutritional ketosis and intermittent fasting, lets move onto exercise!
The antiaging benefits of exercise are legend, so let’s focus on exercise in the context of our mitochondrial makeover discussions. A smart type of exercise to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis is called HIIT: High Intensity Interval Training. HIIT is an exercise strategy that involves alternating short bursts of intense exercise with brief rest or recovery periods. There are infinite HIIT program options available, and virtually any form of exercise or exercise machine can be utilized within a HIIT program. For example, HIIT can be done using body-weight exercises, treadmills, stationary bikes, jump-rope, swimming or sprinting. HIIT is, by definition, not time consuming and produces and maintains results with just a few short sessions per week. Popular forms of HIIT include: Continue reading “MITOCHONDRIAL MAKEOVER: HIIT High Intensity Interval Training”
MITOCHONDRIAL MAKEOVER:INTERMITTENT FASTING
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 “MITOCHONDRIAL MAKEOVER:INTERMITTENT FASTING”
MITOCHONDRIAL MAKEOVER: DIET ADJUSTMENTS
FAT BURNING FOR OPTIMAL ENERGY PRODUCTION
What diet adjustments should we make to ramp up our fat-burning metabolism?
STEP 1: DECREASE PROCESSED CARBOHYDRATE CONSUMPTION: Continue reading “MITOCHONDRIAL MAKEOVER: DIET ADJUSTMENTS”
6 REASONS THE PALEO DIET IS THE REAL FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
There are a multitude of erosive forces in our bodies that accelerate the pace of the aging process. Many facets of our lifestyle directly influence these erosive forces; such as our nutritional status, activity level, sleep quality, stress levels and hormone balance, to name a few. Of these, none is more influential than our dietary choices. This knowledge is empowering. What we eat on a daily basis and the nutrient quality of the foods we choose can undoubtedly influence how well we age! Continue reading “6 REASONS THE PALEO DIET IS THE REAL FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH”
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T COUNT CALORIES TO LOSE FAT
How many times in your life have you heard or read a version of the following?
To lose weight you need to “EAT LESS AND EXERCISE MORE”
To lose weight you need to “CREATE A CALORIE DEFICIT”
To lose weight ‘CALORIES OUT MUST EXCEED CALORIES IN”
To lose a pound of fat you need to “CREATE A 3500 CALORIE DEFICIT BY EATING LESS AND EXERCISING MORE”
To lose weight “YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS”
To lose weight “EAT WHAT YOU WANT, JUST BURN OFF THE CALORIES WITH MORE EXERCISE”
To lose weight “YOU NEED TO EAT LESS FAT BECAUSE IT’S HIGH IN CALORIES”
Following this advice usually leads to frustration, fatigue, failure and, hold your calorie-counter,….. WEIGHT-GAIN! Continue reading “WHY YOU SHOULDN’T COUNT CALORIES TO LOSE FAT”
NOT so HEALTHY HEALTH tips:
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.
Aging Forces: Inflammation
Inflammation is part of our immune system and is required for healing and tissue repair.
Acute inflammation is the immediate, short-term response to an injury or illness. Acute inflammation results in increased blood flow to the area, increased white blood cell production and increased production of inflammatory molecules called cytokines. This acute inflammation response leads to redness, swelling, pain and warmth to the injured area. For example, after you sprain your ankle you develop swelling, pain, warmth and redness to the injured ankle. This acute inflammatory response improves the healing process and usually resolves spontaneously.
When you have an acute infection, such as the flu virus, the fever and body aches you experience are another example of acute inflammation. These symptoms resolve as you recover from the illness. Continue reading “Aging Forces: Inflammation”