by Michael Mamas | Friday, December 13, 2013 | Health |
The cycling of hormones in the body is an incredibly complex and intriguing science. I have read a fair amount from many difference sources on the subject. I recently found a book that offers an interesting perspective on the hormone cycles involved in nutrient metabolism very concisely and very well. It is called The Renegade Diet. If you are interested, a brief summary follows:
The nervous system has two aspects: the sympathetic (which involves outward action sometimes referred to as fight or flight) and the parasympathetic (which involves internal homeostasis or internal maintenance of the body). The sympathetic ‘takes over’ during the day while we are active. The parasympathetic takes over a night when we sleep and the body rebuilds.
Cortisol is a hormone that stimulates action, the sympathetic. It is naturally high in the morning. Insulin is a hormone that drives nutrients from carbohydrates into the cells of the body.
If you eat a lot of carbohydrates, you first get an insulin surge and a lot of energy, but that is followed by a hypoglycemic crash when you become sleepy (think post Thanksgiving dinner).
According to the book, there are three phases in healthy eating which conform to the eating habits that humans evolved through millions of years:
1) The evening feast of protein and healthy starchy carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, white potatoes, etc.
This provides the nutrients for the body to rebuild over night. The carbohydrates spike insulin, which drives nutrients into the cells. Then the hypoglycemic crash occurs enabling one to get to sleep easily so the body can continue to regenerate all night. It is a natural time for Growth Hormone to be high, facilitating growth. This then is also the natural time for the nervous system’s parasympathetic phase. Minimal fats should be eaten at this time since fats and carbohydrates eaten together overwhelm the system and cause nutrients to be stored as fat instead of feeding the muscles and other cells of the body.
2) The 16-hour, overnight fast
This allows the food of the evening meal to be efficiently utilized. Growth hormone remains high throughout the fast, building the body. The fast also gives the digestive system time to rest and restore, rebuilding the enzyme stores, cells, etc.
3) The 8 hour daytime window to eat protein, veggies (for nutrients and fiber), and healthy fats like omega 3s, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.
This keeps the sympathetic nervous system ‘in charge,’ which prevents daytime hypoglycemic crash, thereby providing a full day of energy for an active, bright, clear, and dynamic life. Minimal glucose from carbohydrates in the system during this time has many health benefits:
• If carbohydrates are eaten often, then the cells become resistant to the spike of insulin post carbohydrate ingestion. This in time can lead to obesity and diabetes.
• The fatty acids in the blood are utilized as energy for the day. This ‘teaches’ to body to burn fat instead of storing it.
Too much stress causes too much cortisol to be released which creates abdominal fat and other health disadvantages. Coffee stimulates cortisol so a little in the morning, when cortisol is naturally high, is ok. However, coffee all day long and too much stress over stimulates cortisol, which is a problem.
Then comes the evening meal when the cycle starts again. There are many fine points involved but these are the basics. If you are interested there is plenty to read on the Internet. Many who follow this diet consider themselves to be on the 90% paleo diet.
One last hormone I would like to mention is Leptin. If you diet without a break, leptin forces the body to resist the process and you hit plateaus in your weight loss. Therefore, a couple of times a week, they recommend a fun meal of whatever you want… just not excessive. This actually speeds up weight loss and health.
So, there you have the basics. If you are interested you should certainly learn more about it before trying it out. Needless to say, consulting a doctor for any health issues before trying it out is wise.
Prior to eating along the lines of The Renegade Diet, I followed a more traditional six small meals a day. A takeoff on The Renegade Diet works better for me. The main way I deviate from The Renegade Diet is that I only eat one large carbohydrate meal in the evening, whereas some may eat carbs in the evening over a longer period of time. Also, for vegetarians, getting enough protein can be a challenge, but is certainly doable.
Personally, I find the whole arena of nutrition and physiology fascinating.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Saturday, November 23, 2013 | Health |
If you are interested in losing weight or just having a healthy diet, you may want to click the link below. Though the author is not vegetarian, the diet can be followed using only vegetarian foods. The book offers multiple options. Intermittent fasting overnight along with a large evening meal is his most powerful approach. He offers plans for maintenance, weight gain, weight loss, sedentary, and active lifestyles.
CLICK HERE
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Saturday, September 22, 2012 | Health, World View |
I recently received the following email:
I sincerely appreciate your website. The topics and insights are helping me, my family, and patients so much every day as we try to have a healthier lifestyle in this modern, altercated environment.
Below is the link to a powerful documentary film – “Genetic Roulette” – about the toxicity, widespread contamination, health risks, and politics of GMO’s. As I understood it, this link will only be available for a short time until the film is released for sale, but the encouragement was to get this message out for a wide audience to see. Please view it ASAP.
Since your newsletter reaches so many conscientious people, please consider including a note with this link in your next newsletter.
http://geneticroulettemovie.com/
To which I respond:
Yes, GMOs are a huge problem. You see, the DNA maps on to the Veda in a very direct way. The Veda is the structure that underlies nature. To live in harmony with nature (true health) means that the physiology is in harmony with the Veda. The DNA code underlying your physiology is the gateway to the code underlying all of nature, namely, the Veda. DNA is the genetic code, which parallels and evolved out of, the Veda.
The DNA of each species resonates more fully with one or another aspect of the Veda. That is why herbal medicine works. By ingesting a plant that carries a strong influence of an aspect of the Veda that your physiology may be weak in, that aspect of your physiology is strengthened. Food supports your physiology in the same way.
However, when the DNA code of your food is altered, the influence is the opposite. The physiology is, over time, broken down. As per the video, many diseases result. The infusion of GMOs into our food supply is a big mistake.
Recently, I blogged about the troubled world economy. Now the troubled food supply. I do understand that many people become upset by such blogs. Please look beyond just getting upset. Look to being inspired – inspired to act.
We have the knowledge to understand the big picture as it applies to everything from food to the economy to every single field of life. We have the technology to cure any and all ills. To do so is a life well lived. Some will choose to direct that knowledge in a specific area, like GMOs. Personally, I direct my efforts to the very essence of the solution. By enlivening that, solutions to all problems will find a pathway to success. How a person chooses to direct themselves after gaining this knowledge is a personal matter.
Incidentally, it is indeed a small world. The video was directed by Jeff Smith. Coincidentally, I know him. He is a wonderful man that was in the ashram with me. We were inspired to serve humanity. He has chosen to do so by raising awareness of GMOs. I commend him for his efforts.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Wednesday, May 30, 2012 | Health |
I was asked a question in comments to my autoimmune blog to which I responded:
Once a mode of function is established in the physiology, it can be difficult to remove it. After the physiology is ‘healed’ the memory remains. Even when the initial cause is gone, some degree of predisposition to the old habit is still there. Then again, is the initial cause in this sense ever really ‘gone’? The psyche too has its residuals. In this regard it is best not to think in terms of complete and total healing. There is always some level of tendency to return to that which is familiar.
Everything is everywhere. You are one with everything. Everything is there within you. Unity does not mean unity with the things you think are good and elimination of the things you do not. It means unity with everything. So healing is not about the removal of this and that. It is about the physiology having a ‘healthy relationship with…’ this and that. Of course, a healthy relationship with many things is to keep them at a distance, but not to deny the nature of their presence in your world. Life is indeed subtle.
There is a notion that energetic cords get created between people in relationship. If the relationship goes wrong, energy ‘healers’ sometimes think of removing or cutting those cords. That is actually not possible. In this sense, cords eternally exist between all things in existence. We are all one. Better to think in terms of cleaning the cords rather than attempting to eliminate that which is, in reality, eternal. A healthy relationship with people is to keep them each at the appropriate distance (i.e. have healthy boundaries) while at the same time being awake to the level where we are all one. Humanity has a great deal to learn about healthy boundaries, both culturally and socially. The word that comes to mind is “integrity”. This becomes spontaneous as the level of ones evolution rises.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Monday, May 28, 2012 | Health |
I was asked to comment on the psychodynamics of autoimmune disorders.
People sometimes associate physical disorders with psychodynamic patterns. It is sometimes accurate.
Regarding autoimmune disorders, the body is attacking itself. The idea then would be that one is attacking ones self psychodynamically, perhaps some sort of self-loathing or self-judgment on some level. It is generally cloaked with denial. You need to decide for yourself if this applies to you and if so how.
Similarly, allergies to the environment can imply aversion to what is around you. Again, one must decide for ones self if this applies to them or not.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Tuesday, April 19, 2011 | Health, Personal Growth |
Have you heard the latest ‘theory’ for the cause of autism?
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Namely: Hypersensitivity to pollutants.
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Really? So, it is not the pollutants that are the problem? The problem is just that people are hypersensitive?
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If it were one person in millions, well then, maybe it would make some sense. However, autism is becoming epidemic.
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The mind is a fascinating thing, isn’t it? Talk about being able to justify anything with the intellect.
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You can rational-ize anything.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Wednesday, February 9, 2011 | Health, Spirituality |
Periods of depression are common. I have been asked to discuss it. Let me begin by saying that I have observed over and over again that proper meditation is the greatest cure. Depression is primarily physiological. Proper diet and exercise also help greatly.
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But what about behavioral causes of depression? Depression is the result of suppressed flow of life force. There are multiple motivations to stifle your life flow.
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You may have imposed upon yourself a strict value system that is in actuality not in harmony with truth – not in harmony with your true nature and the true nature of life.
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Always trying to do the right thing can be most depressing if in actuality it is not really the right thing for you. Take care to not devote your life to invalid notions. You may tell yourself it is valid, but deep inside, where it really counts, you know better.
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You may be more image-conscious than you realize… acting and behaving in a manor that is not your true nature in the name of how you may appear to others. Proper manners is one thing, but to depress your true nature in the name of a facade you feel will win people over, is quite another.
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Second guessing yourself is another common cause. You may be unable to make a decision fearing it will be wrong. Whatever you do, you wonder if you should have made another choice. You tie yourself up in knots and end up depressed.
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Judging yourself based upon an internalized standard is always depressing. Standards are external. Internalizing anything external causes depression. Use the external as an aid to explore your inner being, but not as an imposition upon it. Freedom, joy, and fulfillment come from within.
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The list goes on and on. However, there is one cause underlying them all – fear. To discover what depresses you, ask your self what you are afraid of.
Then ask yourself how you impose restriction upon your life as a result of that fear.
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This exploration is not to be taken lightly or acted upon too impulsively. It is a process. But rest assured that freeing your self, i.e. living your true nature, is the only path there is to fulfillment.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Saturday, January 8, 2011 | Health |
Ever wish that yogurt did not curdle when you cook with it? There is a simple solution.
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Whisk about one tablespoon of flour into about a cup of yogurt. That is it. Now you can go creative.
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For example, sauté some spices in a bit of oil. Add the yogurt/flour mix and cook.
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How do you know when the flour is cooked? Taste it. If it tastes good, it’s good.
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Then add some spinach and/or other veggies. Simple, healthy, and delicious.
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Regarding yogurts, I always buy real yogurt without the gums, etc. In the grocery store, the real thing is usually labeled as ‘Greek yogurt.’ Even the fat free kind makes a great sauce.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Wednesday, January 5, 2011 | Health
The internet is a great thing. Not so long ago, a great deal of knowledge was stored away in ivory towers… like the stacks in a university library or the shelves of an obsessive researcher’s office. Today, with the internet, much of that cutting edge knowledge is right there at our fingertips. We live in a great time, soon in my opinion to become much greater (albeit perhaps through some growing pains–but that is another subject).
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One year ago, at the San Francisco class, I announced it was time to focus on the physical body. Since then, many of us have enjoyed fabulous results from the Bliss Ayurveda herbs. A number have also worked with weight loss and physical conditioning. I have done a great deal of research regarding ‘fitness gurus’ and would like to share those results with you.
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Firstly, and probably needless to say, most of what is seen on television is simply not the best that is available. Aggressive marketing as opposed to real skill and knowledge seems to determine who gets on TV.
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Of the scores of fitness gurus I have learned about (and put their programs to the test), a small group stands out as truly skilled and knowledgeable.
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If you are interested in an aggressive approach to weight lifting and fat loss, hands down Nick Nilsson is the best of the best. His programs are unbelievably effective. “Metabolic Surge” is outstanding for fat loss and conditioning. “Mad Scientist” is awesome for muscle gain and long-term conditioning. “Muscle Explosion” is fantastic for short-term (28 day) muscle gain… full body with a targeted muscle group included. Nick’s programs are not for the faint of heart, but are fantastic if you really want results quickly. He gets my highest rating for sure. He has a new book on Amazon, Muscle Explosion.
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For aerobic exercise and fat burning, I must tell you that jogging is out. Intervals are in. The research supporting this is extensive. Go to www.intervaltraining.net to learn more. It is a great site. Doing intervals with weights is even better. The Spartacus Workout is a really intense approach. I did it for a short while and liked it, until I discovered Nick Nillson.
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Clubbells are another great thing to know about. I use them every day for my warmups. One five-pound club is all you need for that. Many people use clubbells for their entire workout which if fine. Many exercises compact the joints. Clubbells open them. If you have any sore muscles or joints, clubbells could be the solution. You can watch the video blog I recently posted.
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Alwyn Cosgrove is a highly knowledgeable expert in the field. His books are great. I did his Warp Speed Fat Loss program with good results.
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I now prefer Nick Nilsson’s work (see above). Alwyn is a bit more into interval type work. Nick is more into weight training. I did Alywn’s undulating periodization workout from his book “The New Rules of Lifting” with good results.
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Jeff Cavalier (AthleanX)is also very good. He is really into functional fitness for athletes and general conditioning. His program is very good, though I prefer Nick’s. Jeff and Nick are both on youtube. Though the real genius of Nick is in how he puts it all together more so than his specific exercises.
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Craig Ballantyne deserves mention. Good basic information and he writes a lot of free articles. In a nutshell I guess you would say he is into full body compound exercise interval type of routines.
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Mike Geary is also very good. I did his routines for a while… similar to Craig’s routines. Personally I prefer Mike.
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Of course, hatha yoga is good but most everyone knows about it. Personally, five or ten minutes of yoga a day feels like enough for me, just to keep the muscles stretched.
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So there you have it. Check all this out and, in my opinion, you are well on you way to the best the fitness gurus have to offer.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
by Michael Mamas | Wednesday, December 29, 2010 | Health, World View
There has been debate in the news lately regarding the end of life or so called ‘death’ panels.
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Advocates feel that support and education is a bonus. Opposition claims it is an imposition of government, herding and pushing people in a direction. The truth is that it could be either of those things. It depends mostly upon the bias of the current administrators and implementers of the program.
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Even if a panel of doctors is in charge, some doctors favor a liberal and others favor a conservative perspective. The matter is really more of a philosophical, personal, and/or religious matter than a purely medical one.
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This addresses an important general issue. When the government creates policies to channel or guide the public, it opens the door to the bias of whatever the philosophy of the current administration may be. Even if the current administration is fully well intended, a system would be put in place that would allow for future, perhaps tyrannical, administrations to impose their will upon the people. It essentially opens the door for a controlling 1984 big brother type of system from either side of the philosophical/political spectrum, if not in the present time, then perhaps in future administrations.
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This is also seen in the arena of food. People in power have their convictions. Some say, for example, milk is good for you. Others say it should not even be allowed in school lunches. Some say only skim milk, others say only whole milk is okay. Yet the problem is most complex. For example, transfats I believe are very unhealthy. There is much research to support that. Many feel they are worse for you than cigarettes. Let us assume that is true. What to do? Should restaurants be allowed to use them, without their customer’s knowledge? Where should the line between just government control and over-the-top imposition of will be drawn? The balance is most delicate.
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As with all things, evolution of consciousness must come first. Then and only then, will wise government reign. As is said, we get the government that the level of group consciousness merits.
© Michael Mamas. All rights reserved.
