The Health Lab

W hat is metabolism, the easiest way to explain it is the fire within. Metabolism is the sum of the chemical reactions that occur within each cell of a living organism and that provide energy for vital processes and for synthesizing new organic material. So what does all this science mumbo jumbo means? The best way to describe it is if food is fuel and your metabolism is the engine, how well does that engine utilize that fuel. Back in the day of hunter-gatherers, you wanted a very efficient engine operating under a deficient food intake. Resources were limited, and food was not guaranteed, much less having three meals a day with snacks. A tribe in Tanzania, the Hadza tribe, still hunt and gather food for their survival. They are active from sun up to sundown, hunting, and gathering. A recent study found that the average calorie burn of an adult male was about 2,600 Calories. Yes, that is pretty close to my maintenance calories, and I am sedentary for my job. High-Efficiency Engine Vs....

 L ights out, it is bedtime?  I use this one most nights with my youngest. Sleep is the inevitable function everyone has to go through or die. Sleep is complicated, as far as what is happening while we sleep, detoxifying the brain, moving short-term to long-term memories, body restoration, etc. We will focus on using it as our base to perform better at work, the gym, and in our household.  How many times did you have a poor night's sleep, and the next day you were short-tempered, hungry, higher stressed, and ended up getting over-caffeinated? Count me in!  It is unfortunate how a poor night's sleep will significantly affect the rest of the day. This is how vital sleep quantity and quality has in our day-to-day lives.  There are some of the biological effects of a reasonable quantity and quality sleep has: Prevents weight gain Improve your immune system Direct impact on your mood Improves exercise performance Better memory Sleep is something we expect t...

Date: 31Dec21  Time: 21:24 (3hr-Fast) I am writing this on New Years' eve 3hrs or so after my last meal of 2021, Greek Lamb Kabab with hummus and some fries. The advantage I have is that my taste buds are not 100% there. Two days ago, I tested positive for "illness," and all I can say is that is it probably like a typical cold! I am on day three, and I feel good, just a bit stuffy.  Regardless of that, I will continue with the goal of my 4th Annual Fast. Let's recap my 2021 fast. My goal was to achieve 100 hours with coffee and water. I managed to complete 100 hours. I added the cherry on top by deadlifting 405 pounds for a single before breaking my fast.  One, I have not fasted and deadlifted regularly approaching New Year's eve. This year I doubt that I will reach 100 hours, much less deadlift 405 pounds. I want to set up obtainable goals; hence this year, I will get 72 hours with water, coffee, and LMNT (salt). Date: 02Jan22 Time: 11:11 So yes, I am not the sma...