The Emerging Science of Eating

In the 1970’s a catchy slogan appeared on the talk show circuit in the USA and quickly spread around the world. It declared: ‘You are what you eat. ‘

Today the slogan is still very relevant but science has revealed the smaller nuts and crackers about optimizing food consumption for the prevention of disease and life span extension.

It is still important to recognize today, the avoidance of foods which are highly processed and refined in their manufacture, along with those that are high in sugar, lead to chronic inflammatory states. White bread, potato chips and sodas are examples. But did you also know that the timing of when one eats can also play a significant role in your overall health?

Multiple studies show, the act of deliberate fasting, or going without food for an extended period, is a stupendously healthy practice. Not only is the caloric restriction beneficial, but after 16 hours of fasting(water/tea only), growth hormone and stem cells are activated and mobilized. There is also a recently discovered cellular process called autophagy,

 where the body senses a stress(the fast) and dismantles weak or poorly functioning cells for the ultimate benefit of the stronger cells.

The timing strategy of restricting your eating window to a condensed 5-6 hour span, is enormously beneficial for ones metabolism, as opposed to eating/snacking throughout the day. Studies show this practice limits your insulin release from the pancreas.  A very good thing indeed.

In addition, the bad habit of eating late into the night should be avoided, researches say. One should not consume large meals within 3 hours of bedtime as it has been shown that digestion of food limits or ‘steals’ the blood flow the brain needs to adequately flush away the accumulated toxins of brain metabolism. This all important cleanup period along with less insulin in the blood stream can help avoid neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

So it is clear now that not only are we WHAT we eat… we are WHEN we eat also.

Written by Dr. Derek B. Thorpe
Dr. Thorpe is a nuclear medicine and functional medicine physician with post graduate degrees from Cornell School of Medicine and the University of Florida. He mentors clients through the ketogenic diet and treats pain and injury through optimisation of blood flow. mongo505@hotmail.com | (246) 244-9555