You have a metabolic toggle switch!

 

A metabolic toggle switch is a regulatory mechanism in the body that controls metabolic processes. It acts like a switch that can turn on or off certain metabolic pathways, allowing the body to adapt to different conditions and energy demands. This toggle switch enables the body to utilize nutrients efficiently, regulate energy production, and maintain an overall metabolic balance.

Let's shift our focus from the challenges of type 2 diabetes to weight management, especially as we enter the much-awaited summer season in South Africa. It's a time to swap the warm jacket for a T-shirt and shorts. What will people notice? What will you notice?

The book "Life’s 2 Short" emphasizes the importance of taking control of your metabolic health instead of relying too much on medications for our well-being.

So, what is the switch referred to above?

It refers to the hormone insulin, produced in the pancreas when blood sugar rises. This hormone has one principal aim: to store energy. It facilitates the movement of glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells, where cells use it as energy or store it as fat. This process cannot occur without insulin.

Cells can use one of two major nutrients for energy: glucose or fat, but only one at a time. The process is exclusive, and insulin informs the cell about which of the two nutrients to use and when.

When insulin levels are high (following a high-carb meal or sugary snack), the cell can only burn glucose. When insulin is low (due to low or no carb intake or during a controlled fast), the cell will only be able to burn fat.

By limiting carb intake, insulin remains low, and the cells burn fat for energy. This results in fat loss, with continued fat utilization leading to visible changes, such as a reducing belly size.

Conversely, high carb intake results in high insulin levels, blocking the burning of fat. Therefore, the decision to limit or increase carb intake essentially flips the toggle switch of insulin, determining whether your cells use or store more fat.

Make the switch!

Drawing inspiration from our ancestral lifestyles.

 The book “Life’s 2 Short” mentions our fictional ancestral hero, Urka. Although physically developed as a strong man in his thirties, he couldn’t converse in any language except for some grunts, subtle hand movements and other gestures, which the members of his clan could follow and understand.

Today we made a transcript of a short discussion, many thousands of years ago, in front of their cave in the bitter-cold area of modern-day north-eastern Finland. It went something like this:

“Grunt, grunt, two hand gestures, grunt, three nasal sounds, hand movement, grunt.”

We translated as follows:

“This feast of mammoth meat filled everybody for many days.”

The rest of the story unfolded as Urka continued his ‘talk’.

“We haven’t had proper meat for ten rising suns. Everybody was starving and if it wasn’t for the roots of the ferns we found (Polypody), it would have been hard on you all. Then Rigbu found the trail of the mammoths and followed it to the plains of the horses, where we managed to kill three and only lost one man, Gailu. I am sorry for the members of his hearth.”

He adjusted the straps holding his chamois skin cover to create space for his full belly, and continued:

“All the spare meat must be salted and stored in our food cave under the ground, and covered with blocks of ice. [Digging into permafrost provided early people with conditions similar to our refrigerators.] If no Bison comes this way soon, we will need today’s leftover meat to feed ourselves. If the gods smile at us, Broud’s party might return in one moon with whale meat or Salmon from the north. That should keep us through the coming winter. If you do find some of those blueberries, pick enough for your hearth, but also for the rest of the clan. If you feel tired, ask our medicine woman for some of those dried purple flowers we were given at our last gathering of the western clans, it will make you fight the winter sickness. This winter will be long and hard. Thank you, my brave hunters!”

What did Urka tell us?

• They thrived on meat, fish, and fat.
• They ate little to no carbohydrates.
• They didn’t eat three or more meals a day, in fact, they ate very intermittently.
• During hard times they knew what to forage from their area:
• Blueberries are one of the best natural sources of vitamins and antioxidants.
• Echinacea (from Canada) boosted their immune system during the harsh winters.
• They had to walk or run vast distances to collect food.
• They had to carry heavy loads of meat when they had a good hunt.

What does this teach us?

• Your body can survive with very little if any, carbohydrates.
• Nutrient-dense foods from animal products are key to survival:
• Proteins and fat.
• Eat only when hungry and when food is available.
• Be prepared to go through periods of fasting, your body will provide its own energy from stored fat and via autophagy.
• Eat whole foods.
• Get exercise.
• Lift heavy things.

If we could follow Urka’s way of living, there would be no metabolic dysfunction. Obesity, diabetes and hypertension would be extremely rare.

BE LIKE URKA!

Very positive review of the book

 This review was received via email:

Morning Pieter,

I purchased your book “Life’s 2 Short to Face the Perils” in February this year and was interested in it due to having Diabetes Type 2 and “ high cholesterol” as diagnosed by my GP. As a production pharmacist, I found the contents to be well-researched, very informative and well-written in an easy-reading format. I enjoyed the case studies, personal experience and humour.

 After working through the contents twice, I decided to follow the principles of a ‘Low Carb, High Fat, Intermitted Fasting” lifestyle and started measuring Fasting Blood Glucose Levels (FBGL) daily with BMI and weight weekly. After just three days, my FBGL decreased from an average of 7.5 mMol/l to an average of 6 mMol/l and now many times around 5.5 mMol/l. This whilst still taking my medication as always. I trust that I will be in a position to soon start reducing the medication.

Over a period of eight weeks, my weight has reduced from 84kg to 79kg, my waist circumference with 4cm and my BMI from 24.3 to 22.9. I am feeling energetic and have adapted to the IF eating pattern easily. I am never hungry in between meals and do no snacking during the fasting period of 16 hours.

 I have introduced your book and the concept to two friends with similar circumstances and they experienced the same results. You have made a huge contribution to improving my general health, for which I thank you.

 Kind regards

 Charles W Moolman

Wilderness, 6560

Western Cape, South Africa

Commonly used drugs that may disrupt glycemic control (blood sugar).

 Many medications can have side effects beyond the disease state they are intended to address. The most common side effect is the disruptive effect on blood glucose control, HbA1c levels, and weight gain.

Here are just 5 commonly used drugs and their effect on insulin resistance and blood glucose levels:

1.      Glucocorticoids

Without a doubt, this group of drugs, commonly referred to as “steroids”, or “cortisone”, are at the top of the list. It is well-known that they can cause “steroid-induced diabetes” and if you are already diabetic, you may notice a significant worsening of glycemic control. The effect is dependent on the dose and duration of steroid treatment. Be aware!

Prednisone, Hydrocortisone, Medrol.

2.      Antipsychotic therapy

Between 15% and 70% of patients taking second-generation antipsychotics will experience a weight gain of at least 7% of body weight. The increased weight is not the only factor contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes. This group of drugs can cause downregulation of intracellular insulin signalling, leading to insulin resistance. In addition, some of these drugs can impair the pancreatic beta cells’ response to changes in blood glucose.

Clozapine: Cloment, Leponex.

Olanzapine: Zyprexa, Olexar.

Haloperidol.

 

3.      Thiazide diuretics

These diuretics are commonly used for the management of hypertension and are associated with metabolic complications including hypokalemia (low potassium), higher triglycerides, and elevated blood glucose.

Hydrochlorothiazde: Ridaq, Hexazide, Dapamax, Natrilix.

4.      Statin therapy

Statins, widely prescribed to lower cholesterol, may in some patients cause a decreased insulin sensitivity and impairment in insulin secretion. Between 9% and 12% of patients on statin therapy for four years or longer may develop new-onset diabetes.

Simvastatin, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Pravastatin.

5.      Beta-Blockers

Beta-blockers are another commonly used group of medications for managing hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia. Metoprolol and Atenolol are most likely to cause an increase in HbA1c, blood sugar, weight and triglycerides. For diabetic patients on insulin therapy or sulfonylurea drugs, some beta-blockers may mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia (tremors, irritability, or palpitations); resulting in possible episodes of dangerously low blood sugar.

Some of the newer blockers like carvedilol, nebivolol and labetalol may have a lower effect on glycemic control.

Take away:

Know the drugs you are prescribed, understand their possible interference with metabolic processes, and discuss them with your healthcare provider.

OR: Take control of your metabolic health by following a lifestyle that will ensure better glycemic control. YOU should be in control, not the drugs prescribed! They can only manage your conditions – never cure it. Following a lifestyle with no carbohydrates, sugars and seed oils, coupled with intermittent fasting can reverse certain metabolic imbalances.

The book that may save your life

How to take control of your own metabolic health.
Order the book at the biologico.co.za website on the sidebar.