Understanding the Why: Exploring the Science Behind Optimal Health
For years, I studied the keto literature without understanding why it was so effective. Without the ‘why’, I didn’t act. But life has taught me a valuable lesson - understand the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ takes care of itself.
I have been reading longevity research for many years and have heard that caloric restriction is beneficial. As a very active person, I was sceptical about its impact on my energy levels. Now, I understand the ‘why’, and the ‘how’ has taken care of itself.
I used to believe that we needed to consume 2-3L of water a day. However, I now know this has no scientific basis. Subsequently, I reduced my water consumption and my health improved.
I used to believe that we needed to consume copious amounts of fibre to be healthy. I have since realised this is not the full truth. I cut back on my fibre intake and my gut health improved.
I used to eat 3 meals a day until a dinner conversation made me question why we had to eat 3 meals a day. My research revealed this was a societal construct and not a scientific one.
Experimental Dietary and Lifestyle Changes: A Personal Journey
As a result of my research, I adapted a low deuterium, high fat, moderate protein, low carbohydrates, fibre and water diet. All my health indicators significantly improved within a 2-month period.
My diet and lifestyle changes included:
- Increasing sauna and deliberate cold exposure - one session each minimum per week up to 3 sessions of each per week.
- Increasing daily sun exposure particularly morning sun - up to 2 hours per day.
- Reducing dinner to a light and early meal.
- Reducing water from up to 2.5L per day to under 1L per day.
- Reducing fibre, starchy vegetable, and fruit intake.
- Significantly reducing carbohydrates (no grains) - to just nuts, seeds and yoghurt.
- Increasing fats consumption whilst protein remained constant.
Results: Transforming Health Indicators in Just two months
The results were astonishing:
- Weight dropped from 69.7kg to 66.6kg in just 1 week.
- Blood pressure dropped from 136:87 to 127:75 mmHg over a 2-month period.
- Resting heart rate dropped from 53 to 45 bpm in 1 week.
- Waist circumference decreased from 81 to 79 cm over a 2-month period.
- Total cholesterol dropped from 5.76 to 3.1 mmol/L over a 2-month period.
- Dietary changes resulted in no constipation even though fibre and water decreased significantly. Went from up to 4 bowel motions a day to 1 every second day.
- Experienced no signs of dehydration even though I was exercising up to 20,000 steps a day and using the sauna.
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Why It Works: The Facts Behind Mitochondria and Deuterium
Health implications of deuterium. Reducing deuterium rich foods such as fruits, grains, starchy vegetables, water. Deuterium is disruptive to mitochondria and hormonal function. Deliberate cold exposure helps deplete deuterium and improve mitochondria function. Sauna’s help eliminate deuterium through sweat. Increased fat consumption increases deuterium depleted metabolic water creation. Caloric restriction increases the body’s ability to use fat as energy, improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood glucose.
How to reduce deuterium intake
Reducing deuterium intake can be achieved through several dietary and lifestyle changes:
- Decrease the deuterium concentration of drinking water: The easiest way to influence the deuterium content of our body is to decrease the deuterium concentration of drinking water1.
- Consume deuterium-depleted foods: This can be complemented by consuming deuterium-depleted foods1. Animal fats are low in deuterium and burning fat helps your mitochondria make deuterium depleted water1.
- Increase intake of fresh green vegetables: They are low in deuterium2. Green plants deplete deuterium by shifting it to their sugar storage, therefore fruits, grains, as well as sweet and starchy root vegetables are high in deuterium32.
- Replace grain and sugar-based snacks with nuts and nut-derived products: Nuts and nut-derived products won’t raise your deuterium levels2.
- Consume meat from grass-fed animals, wild-caught fish, and free-range poultry: These animals are naturally deuterium depleted because their primary food sources contain lower amounts of deuterium2.
- Increase your fat intake: Fat from plants and grass-fed animals is the most important deuterium depleted food source you can find2. Adopting a diet high in fat like a natural paleo-ketogenic diet can help your body produce your own deuterium depleted water inside your cells2.
- Avoid high-deuterium foods: A diet high in sugar, starches, or processed foods can raise deuterium levels in your body3.
Deuterium depleted foods (low deuterium content)
Deuterium-depleted foods are typically those that are low in sugar and high in fat. Here are some examples:
- Fresh green vegetables: Green plants deplete deuterium by shifting it to their sugar storage, therefore fruits, grains, as well as sweet and starchy root vegetables are high in deuterium1.
- Nuts and seeds: They are deuterium depleted because of their low sugar and high-fat content1.
- Grass-fed animals: Beef, pork, and lamb from grass-fed animals are naturally deuterium depleted because their primary food sources contain lower amounts of deuterium1.
- Wild caught fish and free-range poultry: These animals are naturally deuterium depleted because their primary food sources contain lower amounts of deuterium2.
- Fats from plants and grass-fed animals: Fat is the most important deuterium depleted food source you can find. Adopting a diet high in fat like a natural paleo-ketogenic diet can help your body produce your own deuterium depleted water inside your cells2.
Remember, it’s always important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Unlocking the Secrets to Optimal Health: Conclusion
Recommended water requirements are arbitrary at best and do not assist our health. Recommended fibre intakes are not necessary if your diet is low in deuterium foods, free of processed foods and rich in grain fed fats. Eating 3 meals a day is a social construct and results in excessive calorie consumption. Eating a high fat diet does not elevate blood lipids provided you have a clean dietary intake free of processed foods and supportive lifestyle - regular activity, good sleep, low stress.
In conclusion, nurturing your mitochondria is the key to optimal health. It’s not just about what you eat, but also about when you eat, how much you eat, and your lifestyle habits. By understanding the ‘why’, we can take control of our health and live a healthier, happier life.
Embrace Your Wellness Journey with me&my wellness
Discovering how to nurture your mitochondria is just the beginning of your journey to holistic well-being. At me&my wellness, we offer personalized health coaching tailored to your unique health and wellness goals. Our approach integrates natural elements like sunlight, diet and lifestyle into a comprehensive wellness plan. Ready to transform your health? Book now for a 15-minute FREE consultation with us today and take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced you.
