Your Healthy and Active Brain

When we think of metabolism, we do not often think of the brain as being a metabolic organ, but that is exactly what it is. It consumes more energy than any other organ in your body. In fact, it consumes up to twenty percent more. This is why when you begin to have problems with your metabolism, you also sometimes begin to feel foggy or memory problems.

Your Brain Uses a Lot of Glucose

A Neuron in the Brain

If your metabolic system is not producing glucose properly then you are definitely going to find yourself feeling unwell physically. This is because even though the brain comprises only two percent of the entire human body, it needs to use fifteen percent of the energy that your heart produces as it pounds each beat, twenty percent of your total oxygen intake and twenty-five percent of all of the glucose that your body can produce.  That is a whopping one-quarter of all of your metabolized energy for use in just one part of the body.

Insomnia, clumsiness, loss of balance, nervousness and mood swings are symptoms to watch for if you expect disruptions in the way your body metabolizes glucose.

Understanding Organ Dominance and Weakness

Even though the brain is the dominant consumer of metabolic energy in your body there are other organs that come into play and may need more support in the form of fuel just simply because genetically or physiologically they are weaker.

For instance, you might have heard the phrases “that person was born with weak kidneys” or “born with a strong heart.” These are references to what is we know to be a genetic truth about every human being. For instance, if you were born with a genetic predisposition towards diabetes, it means that you might have a pancreas that is weaker than most. This in turn would necessitate the prescription of a diet that was friendlier towards supporting the long-term health of the pancreas over a long period of time. This means that it uses more energy than other organs and the more energy the weak organ uses, the more it is deprived from other areas in your body, especially the brain.

This is where the beauty of the HAP analysis of your metabolic type and blood work really come into play as diet and lifestyle changes that support the individual health of each of the dominant organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, pancreas and the brain. This integrated approach toward treating the patient works as a form of prevention for developing serious diseases as well as a way to optimize the entire health profile of the individual.

For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

Healthy & Active Program Help Balance Blood Sugar

One goal that you could accomplish by embarking on the the Healthy and Active Program is the balancing of your blood sugar.  Note that this has been accomplished by many with Type 2 diabetes as that is a condition that is reversible and the program can help prevent an eventual dependence on insulin. If you have Type 1 diabetes your constitution in general can be greatly improved.

Insulin is a hormone that plays a key role in the regulation of blood glucose levels, which is important because every cell in your body relies on insulin to transport glucose to them from the body.   If the body has sufficient energy, then insulin signals the liver to take up glucose and store it as glycogen. The liver can store up to about 5% of its mass as glycogen.

When there is a malfunction of insulin production, the person develops what is called a metabolic disorder.  Eventually this results in either Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.

How Insulin Resistance Works

Understanding Type 1 Diabetes

In Type 1 Diabetes the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood glucose and the body uses other sources of energy to keep running, including ketones that are produced by the liver to compensate for the absence of glucose.  Type 1 diabetics must inject insulin to keep skyrocketing glucose in the blood that cannot be utilized by the body, from damaging their body’s systems.

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes

In Type 2 diabetes the body is experiencing a condition called insulin resistance, meaning that it is less able to take up glucose from the blood.  In the earlier stage of this disease the body responds by producing more insulin than it would normally need to eventually putting such a strain on the pancreas that it is no longer able to reproduce any insulin at all.

How HAP Can Help These Conditions

These diabetic  conditions or a predisposition towards them also have a lot of impact on how your body will store and use fat.  When the liver has talent up its capacity of glycogen, insulin signals fat cells to store the sugars as fat (as triglycerides) instead.

This is also why it is very important for you to avoid eating foods that could wear out your pancreas by forcing it to react to high levels of sugar in the blood.  One of the miraculous things about the Healthy and Active Program is that it has been known to reverse high blood sugar in Type 2 diabetics.  You will be prescribed a diet and lifestyle plan that is devised specifically for your particular situation.

For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

7 Common Mistakes That Joggers and Runners Make

Once you have been on the Health and Active Lifestyle program a while you might find yourself taking up running or jogging as a way of keeping your body in fantastic working order.  However as good as you feel about your newfound energy it is easy to overdo it. 

Here is a look at the common mistakes that runners and joggers make before they go for a run.

1. Overhydrating the Body

Although it is important to stay hydrated when you are on the Healthy and Active Program and particularly if you are on a detox diet or weight loss diet, there is such a thing as overhydrating. If you drink too much water just before a jog or run you will feel physically uncomfortable and risk impaired performance. There is a condition called Hyponatremia that results from drinking too much water that can induce nausea, headache, cramps and vomiting.

2. Ignoring Heat and Humidity

The ideal temperature for jogging or running is about five degrees Celsius and dryer, cooler weather is preferred.  Higher temperatures and humidity only slow a jogger or runner down. If it is really hot be sure to hydrate yourself slowly throughout the hours in advance of the race.  Wear thinner, lighter colour clothing and avoid wearing navy blue or black.  If it is really hot, shed as much clothing as possible before you go for a run or jog.

3. Not Breaking In New Shoes

It is a mistake to go running in a brand new pair of shoes that have not been broken in. Although some shoes do not need much breaking in at all, it is better to be on the safe side and make sure the shoes are comfortable before you wear them out on a long jaunt.

4. Being Unrealistic About Your Goals

Many people believe they can run a lot further than they actually can. If you are planning a course for a jog or a run that is long distance, make sure that you have a transit plan for return if you are not 100% certain that you can make your goal.

5. Failing to Slow Down When Going Up Hills

If you approach a hill it is okay to slow down if you find yourself gasping for breath. If you push too hard going up the hill you could use up all of your available glycogen and hit the kind of physical wall that could have you too exhausted to run your full jogging or running course.

6. Running With An Injury or Inflammation

If you have inflammation or an injury it is not a good idea to embark on a long exhausting jog or run.  This is especially true if the injury is in the spine, neck, legs or limbs.  Running when you are not healthy can cause permanent damage to your body.

7. Not Being In The Mood to Run

If you are not in the mood to run, then don’t force yourself. You must feel enthusiastic about it or you will probably not perform at your best. Music and running with a buddy or dog can help provide you with the inspiration you need to get some exercise.

For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

Rev Up Your Metabolism With a Daily Morning Practice

Developing a morning practice is a way of regimenting your life so that you repeat a number of healthy habits each and every morning.  Here are some suggestions for developing a daily morning practice that can help kick-start your metabolism.

1. Wake up at dawn.

The human body thrives when it is in sync with the movements of nature. If you want to rev up your metabolism then make it a habit of getting up as close to dawn as you can every day.  This helps your body acknowledge its natural circadian rhythms, one of which is the urge to empty the bowels and bladder as early as possible in the morning. If we don’t do this then our body reabsorbs toxins.

If this means going to bed earlier so you can rise at dawn then try your best to do this.

2. Drink lukewarm water with lemon.

The first thing you should drink after you wake up is a glass of lukewarm water in which you have squeezed the juice of a fresh lemon.  If it is hard for you to swallow this than you can add a dab of honey or balsamic vinegar glaze.  After you drink the lemon water follow it up with a tall long cold glass of water.  For many, this helps stimulate a bladder and bowel movement.

3. Do some stretches to limber up your muscles.

To keep your body flexible and get the blood flowing do some basic stretches.  The Five Tibetan Energy Rejuvenation Poses written about earlier in this Healthy and Active Blog are ideal for this purpose.

4. Bounce up and down!

To get your lymph moving and your metabolism set to burn mode jump rope, jog or do some rebounding.  This helps wake you up and gets the oxygen speeding through your body.  Rebounders are mini-trampolines that cost between $28.00 and $60.00 to purchase and offer an affordable way to stay in shape.

5.Speed up your metabolism by lifting weights

Lifting weights for just twenty minutes every morning helps train your body to burn fat all day and also cuts your appetite.

6.  Enjoy a caffeinated beverage.

Whether you prefer to get your caffeine from coffee, green tea, black tea, hot cocoa or even caffeinated water, it is a helpful aid when it comes to speeding up your metabolism and helping your body get moving.

Finally, there is a seventh floating step that you should try and include in your routine called  “Meditate for Ten Minutes.”  Meditating for just that short time can help you feel relaxed, wake up your brain and feel ready to focus on the day ahead.  When you meditate is a matter of personal preference.  You can meditate just after you wake up, after you empty your bowels, after you are done bouncing and lifting weights or during your cup of morning caffeine.  How you want to fit this necessary step into your practical morning routine is completely up to you.      

For more information about The Pinewood Institute for the Advancement of Natural Medicine courses including course outlines, detailed descriptions of courses and information about upcoming training sessions, please go www.pinewoodinstitute.com.  You can also send us an email using our email form at http://pinewoodinstitute.com/contact.aspx or call us at 416-656-8100. If you prefer to fax the number is 416-656-8107.