COURTENAY SMITH
Let’s Explore Kuudose Media with Danielle Payton (Co-founder of Kuudose Media) – Morning Laziness
Danielle Payton’s metabolism was a mystery for most of her adult life. When she was
18, she weighed 75 kilos, which made little sense to the five-foot-four-inch-high school shot-put champ. “I was a very healthy eater—coming from a family of pescatarians and vegetarians—and an athlete, and I couldn’t lose a single kilo,” says Payton.
Just before college, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which causes imbalances in the hormones that regulate both the reproductive system and metabolism. That solved part of the mystery—women with PCOS are prone to weight gain. But Payton continued to struggle. By the time she turned 24, she weighed 95 kilos and had developed prediabetes. Her search for a solution became more focused and urgent.
“I had to find food and exercise that worked for my body,” says Payton, who lives in Miami and is co-founder of kuudose.co an online fitness and wellness programme. For her, that meant giving up processed and fried foods, eating more animal protein, doing short daily bouts of walking (30 minutes) and strength training (5 to 15 minutes), and taking a probiotic supplement. She also takes doctor-prescribed medication for PCOS (metformin/spironolactone), which seems to help keep her weight in check.
It took her four years, but Payton ultimately lost about 40 kilos and now is fairly
steady at 55. “Mentally, I am tougher because of this process of standing up for my body and figuring out what worked for me,” she says. “No one knows your body like you do, and listening to your body is crucial. ” Most of us have heard that a good metabolism is the golden ticket to weight loss, but that seriously underplays metabolism’s role in our bodies and in our health.
Simply put, metabolism is the energy used by the physical processes that keep us alive.
We burn up to 80 percent of daily calories while at rest (referred to as basal, or resting, metabolism) by breathing, digesting, maintaining circulation and more. But while that fact inspires comparisons of your metabolism to a fire-burning furnace, it’s really more like a busy city transit system, delivering the right mix of chemicals to the right cells at the right times to extract energy from food and keep the whole machine (i.e., your body) running seamlessly. That’s why the first sign of a troubled metabolism may be the faltering of one of these systems manifesting as rising insulin, cholesterol or triglyceride levels or fat deposits around your waist—all markers of metabolic disorder, which heralds a higher
risk of diabetes, heart disease, or stroke.
But your biggest risk—the ‘most universal contributor’ to metabolic decline according to an article co-written by Nir Barzilai, MD, director of the Institute for Aging at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine—is ageing. Ageing naturally causes metabolic decline and also makes us more likely to require medications to address issues such as high blood pressure or depression that could slow metabolism.
While there’s obviously no fix for ageing, you can learn to fine-tune your metabolism as your body changes over time, priming it to deliver the right mix of hormones, much as Payton did. “Find what works for you—then do it consistently,” she says. Here are some
of the best small changes that can help you make strides in boosting your metabolism.
Watch the Sunrise.
“Simply basking in early morning rays can increase your metabolism naturally,”
says Ken Ceder, executive director of the non-profit Science of Light. That’s because our circadian rhythms, or master body clocks, regulate the hormones crucial to metabolism and hunger control, including insulin, cortisol and leptin.
Our circadian rhythms work best when in sync with the sun, receiving bright light in the morning and diminishing rays toward sundown. To get your daily dose, spend at least 15 minutes every morning outdoors in sunlight, without sunglasses so the sun reaches your eyes’ photoreceptors. (Don’t stare at the sun; you will get the benefits passively.)
Safeguard Your Sleep.
Sleep is the reset button for your metabolism. Prepare your brain for bedtime by dimming the lights a few hours beforehand—turn off bright overheads and turn on bedside lamps equipped with warm or amber-toned bulbs.
Also, “if your slumber is constantly interrupted by light snoring, then you are missing
out on calorie-burning benefits,” says Dr, Bindiya Gandhi, a family medicine doctor in Decatur, Georgia. The fix may be as simple as using a breathing strip on your nose to help open constricted sinuses at night. (Just ask your doctor whether you should be tested for sleep apnoea, since snoring is a common sign of the serious disorder.)
Try Intermittent Fasting.
If changing your diet is too overwhelming, try a form of fasting. A 2020 review in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics concluded that intermittent fasting regimens can be a promising way to lose weight and improve metabolic health.
There are many approaches, such as overnight fasting (don’t eat between 7 p.m.
and 6 a.m.) or the 5:2 method (eat about 25 percent of usual calories two days a week).
Ask your doctor first. Trying it even once or twice may jump-start other healthy habits.
Track Your Water Intake with Rubber Bands.
Try this easy system: In the morning, put five rubber bands on your wrist.
Every time you drink 16 ounces (two cups) of water, take off a band and put it on the bottle. German researchers found that metabolic rate jumped by 30 per cent for up to
40 minutes in 14 volunteers after they drank 16 ounces of water.
The researchers estimated that over a year, increasing your water consumption by two cups a day could burn an extra two kgs or so. Since much of the increase in metabolic rate is due to the body’s efforts to heat the liquid, make sure the water you’re drinking is icy cold.
6 Health Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water
By Dr. Victor Marchione, M.D.
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed***
and may vary from person to person***.
Benefits of Drinking Alkaline Water
Water is incredibly essential for the human body. In fact, the average adult body is made up of 50% to 65% water. Water is used in the organs, tissues, and cells of the body to help regulate temperature and maintain necessary body functions, such as eliminating waste and transporting nutrients.
In other words, water is a carrier†”it distributes vitamins, minerals, and glucose to nourish your cells. It also helps remove toxins from the body through the urine and feces.
I make it a priority to drink a lot of water every day. The general recommended daily intake of water is eight to 10, eight-ounce glasses of water per day. That’s around
64 to 80 ounces a day. However, the Institute of Medicine recommends men consume an average of 125 ounces of water daily, and women drink approximately 91 ounces each day. Don’t forget that you can also consume water through food, such as vegetables and fruit.
There is often debate about what type of water is best for your health. Is filtered water the best for you? How about reverse osmosis filtered water? What about water straight from the spring? Can you simply drink tap water? Whatever water you drink, many believe your water should be alkaline filtered.
What Is Alkaline Water?
Alkalinity and acidity are both measurements on the pH scale of 1 to 14.
Neutral is considered 7.0, and anything below that point is considered acidic.
Alkaline water typically has a pH between 7.0 and 10.0 on the scale.
Another common name for alkaline water is ionized water. It is thought that natural spring water is the best source of alkaline water, with a pH around 8.0 to 9.0.
Alkaline water also has a higher pH level than tap water.
Regular tap water usually has a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0.
Natural alkaline water occurs when water travels over rocks. For instance, spring water will obtain minerals and increase in alkalinity during this process. Basically, spring water is naturally alkalinized.
However, there are products called alkaline ionizers that alkalinize the water during electrolysis. It is a chemical process that separates water into more acidic or alkaline molecules. Alkaline water and water ionizers are typically found in many health foods stores or grocery stores.
Health Benefits of Alkaline Water
Alkaline water helps alkalize an acidic body. This is especially important for people who consume diets that are rich in acidic foods, such as processed foods, dairy, sugar, and red meat. Some research suggests you can live longer drinking alkaline water. One study called the Okinawa Centenarian Project found that people from Okinawa, Japan, regularly live to 100 years old—they drink alkaline water with a pH of 10.0!
Evidence also suggests a handful of other alkaline water benefits:
1. Helpful for Detoxification
Detoxification is important for removing the accumulation of harmful toxins in
the body. Toxic overload can lead to chronic fatigue, low energy, bloating, mental confusion, inflammation, and food sensitivities.
Drinking alkaline water can help detox the body of heavy metals, such as mercury.
In a 2003 study published in the journal Ambio, researchers found that alkaline water had a protective effect against mercury in 43 women who lived in an alkaline-rich area in Sweden.
2. Alkaline Water Weight Loss Plan
It may be beneficial to try an alkaline water weight loss plan. In a 2011 preliminary study published in the journal Original Internist, researchers found that obese individuals who drank two liters of alkaline water daily lost an average of 12 pounds over two months. In a 52-week study published in the International Journal of Experimental Pathology in 2001, rats that drank water with the highest pH level lost the most weight.
3. Reduces Acid Reflux
Acid reflux will typically create a burning feeling in the lower chest, typically after
a person has eaten. It is a condition where stomach acid flows into the esophagus.
It is also commonly known as acid indigestion and heartburn.
People are often diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),
where acid reflux is experienced at least twice a week.
Research shows that alkaline water can be a beneficial therapeutic treatment for patients with acid reflux disease. In a 2012 laboratory study published in the journal The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, researchers discovered that drinking alkaline water with a pH of 8.8 results in beneficial acid-buffering activity. Alkaline water also inactivates pepsin, an enzyme that plays a role in acid reflux.
4. Helps Improve Bone Health
Alkaline water could also improve bone health. A 2014 observational study published
in the journal BMJ associated a high milk intake with a higher risk of fractures amongst women. It is thought that alkaline water is a safer dietary source of calcium than milk or dairy. In a 2009 study published in the journal Bone, researchers discovered that alkaline water significantly reduced two markers associated with bone loss—PTH and S-CTX—in 30 female dieticians.
5. Provides Antioxidant Benefits
Alkaline water is a natural antioxidant that can neutralize harmful radicals in the body. Laboratory studies have also tested the antioxidant potential of alkaline water. In a 2006 study published in the journal Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, alkaline water showed potent antioxidant activity when mixed with vitamin C.
6. Essential for Heart Health
Drinking alkaline water can reduce certain risk factors associated with heart disease.
In a study published in the Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that alkaline water consumption for three to six months could significantly reduce blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
It was concluded that alkaline ionized water could improve the symptoms associated
with diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Heart disease and hypertension are
risk factors for diabetes. In a 2004 study published in the journal BMC Public Health, researchers suggested that alkalized mineral water could lower blood pressure in people with low calcium and magnesium levels.
Drinking alkaline water may also help hydrate your body, improve mental clarity,
and boost your overall immune system.
How to Alkalize Your Water pH Testing Bottled Water – Bing video
You can also easily make alkaline water yourself. Simply follow these steps:
Check your current water pH: Check your water’s current pH level with a pH test paper kit before you alkalize the water. A pH kit can be found at most health food stores.
It will come with a pH color chart and pH strips. Dip the strip into your water and let it stand. Next, combine your strip with the pH color chart, and take note of your water’s pH level. Your water will likely be around 7.0 on the pH scale; if it is below 7.0, your water is currently acidic.
Alkalize your water: There are a few ways you can alkalize your water. One alkalizing method is to mix 1/8 of a tablespoon of baking soda with an eight-ounce glass of water —baking soda is highly alkaline. You can also add freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime juice to alkalize your water. Some people may also add pH drops or alkaline minerals to water.
Confirm your water is alkaline:
Test your water again with another pH strip. It should be around 8.0 to 9.0 after you alkalize your water. Drinking alkaline water is a good idea—but many people should be drinking more water in general.
Check your urine color to determine if your body is well-hydrated. A deep yellow color is a sign of dehydration; if your urine is clear or light yellow, then you are likely getting enough water.
Dehydration is often what increases hunger and cravings.
So, if you just ate and its midafternoon but you’re still feeling that itch to eat.
Try a big glass of water first!
We make it harder than it really is!
Joleen Zubek, IllustratIon by MarIa Amador
Feed Your Gut.
“Healthy gut bacteria optimize your metabolism by helping your body extract nutrients from your diet more effectively,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN. A daily serving of probiotic-rich foods such as yoghurt, kefir and unpasteurized sauerkraut might help, though so far studies have been inconclusive on the total benefits. Yoghurt has an added advantage—dairy foods may lower the risk of metabolic disorder, according to an analysis in the British Journal of Nutrition. Preliminary studies have found some probiotic strains help with weight loss (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) and body fat reduction (Lactobacillus amylovorus). “Ask your health-care provider about a probiotic supplement,”
recommends Gorin.
Enzymes are natural proteins. (Digestive Enzymes versus Systemic Enzymes,)
That stimulate and accelerate biological reactions in the body.
Enzymes, many of which are made in the pancreas, break down food and help with the absorption of nutrients into the blood.
Metabolic enzymes build new cells and repair damaged ones in the blood, tissues, and organs. Though the American Cancer Society says that there have been no well-designed studies showing that enzyme supplements are effective in treating cancer we need look no further than the benefit that comes from stimulating and accelerating so many biological reactions.
Most alternative health professionals understand the importance of taking digestive enzymes. This becomes critical for many people as they age. Most people think of enzymes (if they think of them at all) as necessary only for those who deal with digestive problems such as GERD, hiatal hernias, ulcers, etc. Enzymes though are extremely important for treating cancer and should not be overlooked. Enzymes allow one substance to be turned into a different substance and support the pancreas, liver, and immune system’s function. Read More: Enzyme Therapy for Cancer & Digestive Diseases (drsircus.com) | “Wobenzym” Systemic Enzymes – Swanson® (swansonvitamins.com)
Quash Cravings with Protein.
A number of well-documented studies show that high-protein diets may help adults lose weight while maintaining lean muscle mass (one of the main drivers of a naturally high calorie burn), according to a 2020 analysis in Nutrition. Protein also unleashes a cascade of metabolic signals from the gastrointestinal tract to tell the brain that it’s full. However, long-term high protein diets can be harmful to the kidneys, so consult your doctor.
Don’t Detox.
Severe, long-term calorie restriction doesn’t work, because your metabolism is mainly determined by your body composition—the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn throughout the day. “When you lose weight quickly, your body is breaking down its muscle mass,” says Susan Berkman, RD, of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.“When you resume eating normally, your metabolism is slower than when you started the plan because you have less muscle.” Result: You gain fat.
Chill Out—Literally.
Cold weather is one of nature’s most powerful metabolic boosters, helping increase your levels of brown fat—the type that burns more calories even when you’re at rest. “Going outdoors in cold weather can increase your non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) score, helping you torch calories,” says Kristin Koskinen a registered dietitian nutritionist in Richland, Washington.
“The metabolic act of staying warm is an easy way to boost your metabolism without breaking a sweat.” Taking a cold shower (or finishing a steamy one with a cool rinse-off) might also give your metabolism a quick boost by forcing your body to shiver—which requires energy (and calories)—to warm up. But since the long-term effects on weight loss are unclear, you’ll have to decide whether the torture is worth it.
Curl Up on the Couch with a Book.
Wait—being a couch potato can help your metabolism? If you’re totally relaxed, then yes. “Stress increases the level of the hormone cortisol, which can cause metabolic dysfunction if it’s constantly elevated,” says Gandhi.The cure is to do something daily that will help you completely de-stress,whether that’s watching a movie, taking a long bath or reading a book.
Sweeten the Deal with Cinnamon.
In test tubes, cinnamaldehyde—the compound that gives cinnamon its flavour and smell—spurred human fat cells to burn extra fat. In animals, a regular dose has been shown to help control blood glucose. Human studies are scant, but it can’t hurt to slay a sweet craving by stirring a dash into coffee, oatmeal, yoghurt or a smoothie. With additional reporting from thehealthy.com – Search (bing.com)
Frontiers | Sugar or Fat? —Metabolic Requirements for Immunity to Viral Infections (frontiersin.org)
Fine tune metabolism Courtenay Smith Reader’s Digest – Search (bing.com)
Fine Tune Metabolism Courtenay Smith – Search (bing.com)
Here’s 10 health & wellness reminders I believe that helps us thrive to be alive (non-exhaustive list!):
All health arises based on whether our cells are functional. Treat all your 37 trillion-ish cells like they are babies that need love and protection: good food, sleep, calm, etc. NO ONE is going to protect your cells for you.
Eat as much unprocessed or minimally processed food as you possibly can. The flip side of this means cut out as much refined flours/grains, refined/added sugars, & industrially processed seed oils as you can. The healthy swap options are endless, ie flax crackers, zucchini noodles, almond flour bread, butter lettuce taco shells.
Be ruthless about getting 7+ hours uninterrupted sleep.
Move as much as you can throughout the day. Take a lap around the house or air squats every 30 min. Sitting tells our body to NOT be metabolically functional.
Get out in the wilderness as much as humanly possible. Be with trees, which we are completely dependent on for oxygen (life). Get more sunlight, especially in the morning. The sun is what creates all life on Earth- honor it.
Go to therapy. If you have a financial planner, or a doctor, or a lawyer, why in the world would you not hire a mental health professional. Your bank account and body are not more important than your brain (which dictates your entire experience of reality!).
Consider consciousness expanding modalities and connect with joy and awe.
Get a K-safe to lock your phone for long stretches. It is impossible to open it until the timer goes off. It’s brilliant.
Minimize synthetic toxins – filter water, eat organic or regenerative food, get rid of scented products (detergent, soap, perfumes), use less plastic.
BELIEVE your body has the capacity to heal, to feel incredible & vibrant, and to be truly happy and fulfilled. If you don’t believe that it’s possible, how do you expect it to happen?~ drcaseyskitchen
100,000 followers!
What to Know About Covid and Blood Type – Why Type O May Protect You (menshealth.com)
Your Blood Type Could Affect Your Coronavirus Risk, New Research Says | TODAY – Bing video
COVID-19 and Blood Type | Harvard Medical School
Learning from our own existence.
Hoyle’s [1] successful prediction of the 7.6 MeV resonance of the carbon-12 nucleus, based on observation of his own carbon-based existence, established the scientific usefulness of anthropic principles. These principles have become common, if not yet standard, tools in cosmology, where theories of initial conditions may not yet exist – or, if they do exist, may admit a range of values [2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
At the same time, anthropic principles have retained a traditional role in religion and philosophy, where sensitive dependence of human existence on laws of nature that could imaginably have been otherwise is interpreted as evidence for human significance in the creation of the universe.
The tendency of life forms to make universal use of, and seemingly to depend on, specific details of natural law or historical circumstance does not end with nuclear abundances. Following decades of studying the ways in which mammalian blood achieves homeostasis by exploiting favorable regions in carbonic-acid chemistry and similar adaptations, Henderson compiled a list of such dependencies in physiology [7].
Inverting Darwin’s description of selective fine-tuning of organisms for “fit” to their environments, Henderson characterized his physiological sensitivities anthropically as evidence of “the fitness of the environment” for life. The rapid growth in understanding of biology, from structures to systems, seems likely to expose many more sensitivities of life to details of chemistry, physics, and history.
Cancer is when metabolism – Search (bing.com)
Cancer is a metabolic disease – Bing video.
When cancer metastasizes it – Bing video
What does it mean when cancer metastasizes?
What does it mean when cancer metastasized?
Metabolic changes in cancer – Bing video
What is the metabolic approach to cancer?
The metabolic theory of cancer – Bing video
How to treat cancer end stage Cachexia