Dr. Hyman's fantastic energy article opened my eyes to what really makes us feel energized and look rested.
What causes fatigue?
RememBer talks on Mitochondria & ATP in high school biology? ... Yeah, me neither.
Well, Mitochondria is the powerhouse part of our cells that provide energy / ATP - super important.
So Mitochondria & our metabolism control our energy. When our mitochondria get overwhelmed by oxidative stress from toxins, we get tired.
OXIDATIVE STRESS: YOU'RE RUINING MY YOUTHFUL BEAUTY & STEALING MY ENERGY!
OXIDATIVE STRESS IS THE PROCESS THAT CAUSES THE WEAR AND TEAR ON OUR BODY AND BEAUTY.
WHAT STARTS THIS PROCESS IS SOME INJURY TO THE BODY—TOO MANY CALORIES, SMOKING, A SUNBURN, EXPOSURE TO TOXINS, ANTI-NUTRIENTS, SUGAR... THAT STARTS THE NEGATIVE CHAIN REACTION OF CELLULAR AND TISSUE DAMAGE.
THE MITOCHONDRIA GETS DAMAGED EASILY BY THESE TOXINS, INFECTIONS, ALLERGENS, AND STRESS. BUT THE BIGGEST INSULT OVER TIME IS EATING TOO MUCH FOOD, TOO MANY “EMPTY CALORIES”.
When food is burned / metabolized with oxygen in the mitochondria, waste is produced in the form of free radicals that create a chain reaction of rusting / oxidation.
UNLESS WE HAVE ENOUGH ANTIOXIDANTS IN OUR DIET OR WE MAKE ENOUGH IN OUR BODY, WE CAN’T PROTECT OURSELVES FROM THE DAMAGE TO OUR MITOCHONDRIA.
HOW IT HAPPENS:
FREE RADICALS ARE UNSTABLE MOLECULES MISSING AN ELECTRON LOOKING TO BUMP INTO NEIGHBORING MOLECULES AND STEAL ONE.
Antioxidants replace the stolen electron
THIS OXIDATIVE STRESS OR "STEALING OF ELECTRONS" LEAVES ALL THE CELLS IN CONTACT UNSTABLE & IMBALANCED which STRESSES THE SYSTEM.
MUCH OF THE DAMAGE WE EXPERIENCE AS DISEASE IS THE END RESULT OF OXIDATIVE STRESS THAT OCCURS IN THE MITOCHONDRIA, THE ENERGY POWERHOUSE OF THE CELL. THIS RUSTING PROCESS HAPPENS EVERY DAY AS WE HUSTLE ABOUT. THIS RUSTING PROCESS IS HAPPENING EVERY DAY AS WE HUSTLE ABOUT.
What's wrong with caffeine?
Moderate caffeine used appropriately is a performance enhancer. Relying on caffeine rather than using it strategically, is a problem.
Restful Adenosine getting rejected as Caffeine takes it's spot in the cell receptor. The brain gets a false signal that all is well and there's no need to rest - while the cell keeps filling with toxins.
Caffeine blocks the signal to the brain telling you you're tired & cellular waste needs to be removed.
This leaves you with false energy to complete your temporary tasks.
your adrenals are called in to pump more cortisol to fill the energy need for short term greatness and long term damage. More on how cortisol works in this video.
Energy is like money.
We can borrow on credit but there's interest to be paid. 20 minute power naps and 5 minute meditations are better than signal blocking lattes for putting energy back in the bank.
i can't tell you how much i hate this fact. the odds of me taking a 10 minutes eyes closed, deep breath rest break or power nap when i have a peet's coffee next door... are not good. Thank goodness coffee is available to be used strategically but it's no replacement for rest.
the studies on meditation's vast benefits are soooo long- but most people aren't grabbing a mental break on the regular.
our built in defense system
The good news is we have a built-in anti-rusting system and mitochondrial protection system, but it is overwhelmed by the work we ask of it. Like all the systems in the body, the problems arise when we are out of balance.
The system is called the REDOX system which neutralizes the damage from oxidation / rusting. Antioxidants baby!!
WHAT can we take?
*Antioxidants found in Leafy Greens, colorful fruits and veggies, and Blueberries reverse the oxidation effect stopping free radicals in their track. their generous electron donation fixes everything.
*Magnesium is also vital to ATP production, so low magnesium means low brain energy.
*Certain Amino Acids, specifically Alpha Lipoic Acid & Acetyl-L-Carnitine, make the mitochondria run better. (These are also what you should be taken alongside Vitamin C with every alcoholic beverage consumed)
As we age, our metabolism burns out from a lifetime of damage and insults. Toxins like alcohol speed this process up leaving us back to the lowering inflammation solutions to look and feel our best.
natural Energy boosters:
Load up on vitamin B, get good early to bed sleep, eat greens, graze all day with small meals,eat fresh food right after it's cut (reduced exposure to air / oxidation), stay away from starchy carbs during the day when productivity is desired, take deep mindful oxygenated breaths, use short bursts of exercise for blood flow and energy boosts, stay hydrated
The Harder Suggestions:
Stop the toxins, reduce the stress, take time to rest & heal, notice and be present with our manic urge to do more with our minutes, take out our mercury fillings, heal our imbalanced gut bacteria, get more regular good sleep, stop the sugar & alcohol temporarily and reduce it long term. Do less. Breathe more. Appreciate the small things and stop comparing. Rock the positive thoughts. Notice when we are putting lots of physical stress on our bodies + food stressors & not resting, supplementing, and eating properly.
(Obviously I suck at most of these or I wouldn't be incentivized to research cures for this blog)
baby steps..
Load up on Antioxidants Because you deserve to feel good. #GetHSH
Favorite Experts on this Topic: Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Sara Gottfried, and Dr. Stephanie Daniel are leaders in the Functional Medicine space covering energy.
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GETHSH is a wellness blog dedicated to researching the variables in the formula to feeling good. All suggestions should be reviewed with your licensed practitioner and taken on your own free will.