Silent Killers of Your Metabolism

SILLENT KILLERS OF YOUR MET ABOLI SM The human metabolism is an important part of what makes us go, converting calories into energy to satisfy our activity level. However, many factors can cause this process to slow down below its intended level of function. THE METABOLIC SLOW DOWN A slow metabolism can lead to a build up of calories, stored as fat for future use. Your metabolism is responsible for turning calories into energy. This leads to weight gain and, if unchecked, obesity.' OBESITY TRENDS ACROSS AMERICA 2000 2012 MI IA OH VA OK IN KT AR TN sc MS LA AL below a 20% obesity rate 20% - 30% obesity rate higher than 30% obesity rate FACTORS AFFECTING METABOLISM Natural hormone levels in your body, ultimately determined by the foods you eat, grossly affect your metabolism. Mitochondria, the energy centers of your body, are stymied by an overabundance of sugar from pasta, bread, potatoes, and junk food." NUTRITION AN EXCESS OF SUGARS INCREASES INFLAMMATION, WHICH LOCKS YOUR METABOLISM IN A CYCLE THAT PROPAGATES FAT. LACK OF SLEEP Sleep enables the natural cycles of our body that reduce inflammation and burn fat. Sleep also helps moderate leptin, the chemical that both tells us we're full and controls our overall metabolic level." 3 LESS SLEEP LESS LEPTIN MORE HUNGER SLOWER METABOLISM In addition, sleep deprivation increases ghrelin levels, the hormone that stimulates appetite. SLEEP DEPRIVATION HAS BEEN FOUND TO Lower non-insulin Lower glucose metabolism by dependent glucose metabolism by 40% 30% Lower the acute insulin response to glucose by Lower indicators linked with Type 2 Diabetes prevention by 30% 40% Stress increases levels of hormones, particularly cortisol, designed to rev our motor to get away from danger.' STRESS High levels of cortisol over a prolonged period of time perpetuate the sugar burning cycle, leading to fat. Cortisol doesn't just take sugar from food, it takes it from glycogen; the storage medium used by our muscles.' With all that sugar in your bloodstream, insulin is released, and the cortisol/insulin combo increases cravings for quick-burning carbs like sugar found in junk food, perpetuating the cycle.' TOXINS Toxins, including those found in the environment and processed foods, are not handled well by the body. Toxins contribute to inflammation, which overwhelms your body's ability to remove unwanted chemicals and import desirable ones. Toxins, and the conditions they encourage (inflammation, oxidation, and the like), damage hormone receptors that help regulate your body's metabolism. In addition, toxins mimic hormones, disrupting the endocrine system with false messages that throw off our natural metabolic functioning.! HOW TO REV YOUR INTERNAL ENGINE EXERCISE Regularly exercising for 45 minutes over a period of three days increases GABA, which leads to lower anxiety and less stress. Exercise creates a demand for energy, which gives insulin a purpose (escorting sugar to the cells) and increasing insulin sensitivity. 24 weeks Even a program of walking over the course of 24 weeks leads to dramatically lowered inflammation. EAT THE RIGHT MAKE SLEEP A DE-STRESS FOODS PRIORITY Eat copious vegetables. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier Learn to breathe Focus on a balance of proteins and fat with a controlled helping of carbs. than the week before, each week until you've added an extra hour of sleep to your properly; slowly, in through the nose for a count of four, then out through the mouth for a count of eight. routine. No TV at least 30 minutes before bed. Enjoy a protein-and-fat-rich shake first thing in the morning to curb your appetite until lunch. Find your specific relaxing activity, and practice it religiously (yoga, a comedy, a massage, etc.) Build a routine around unplugging and unwinding prior to falling asleep each night. DETOXIFY Take a 15-minute bath in Epsom salts three times per week. "Drink clean" with raw or organic milk, organic coffee, and containers not labeled with a 3, 6, or 7 on the recycling logo. A note about organic produce: It is often thought to be completely pesticide-free but it can still contain natural pesticides which can also have carcinogens.“ "Eat clean" by choosing organic fruits and veggies when you can. Conventional produce can have high synthetic pesticide content. Buying organic can help reduce the amount of these pesticides Always scrub and rinse your produce before eating! you consume. WHILE MANY FACTORS CAN DAMAGE METABOLISM, EASY STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO REVERSE THE TREND, REVIVE METABOLISM, INCREASE FAT BURNING AND REVITALIZE HEALTH. SOURCES: 1. Bowden, J. Metabolic Transformation Guide. 2. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html 3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1991337 RockwellNutrition 4. http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/" Ihom/organictext.html Trusted Ingredients for a Healthier You II