Blog
The Ancestral Lifestyle: How to Embrace Your Inner Hunter-Gatherer"
"Why Embrace the Ancestral Lifestyle?"
Learn more
Ancestral Living: How to Achieve Optimal Health Naturally
"Unlocking Life Fulfilment and Optimal Health Through Ancestral Living." Why optimal health and wellbeing is a resource.
Learn more
Feed Your Brain For Optimal Health
“Far and away, the people with the post damaged and intractably dysregulated brains and nervous systems I have seen or dealt with in my practice have all been vegans, with strict vegetarians coming a close second” Nora Gedugaudas.
Learn more
Too Much Sugar? How Carbohydrates Affect Insulin and Long-Term Health
How Much Sugar Is the Average Person Really Consuming? The average person consumes about 12 teaspoons of sugar per day, which can have serious consequences for our health. Our bodies are not designed to process such large amounts of carbohydrates on a daily basis. How Carbohydrates Increase Insulin and Fat Storage The problem with carbohydrates is that they stimulate the production of insulin, which is the fat storage hormone. They also damage the body and brain through a process called glycation, where the sugars in the bloodstream react with proteins and fats and cause them to deteriorate. Glucose is inherently damaging to cells, organs, and tissues in the body, and the less glucose we have in our bloodstream, the better. Why Ketones Are a More Stable Fuel Source Than Carbohydrates A better source of fuel for our brains and organs is ketones. When fueling our bodies, carbohydrates are like kindling, they are used quickly and need to be replenished regularly. Fat, on the other hand, is like a log on the fire, it takes time to burn and releases energy slowly. Training our bodies to fuel with fats and protein takes time to adapt, but it is worth it for the sake of our health and longevity. The Evolutionary Role of Insulin in Nutrient Storage Insulin evolutionarily has not been there to lower blood glucose levels, we have a few different hormones like cortisol, glucagon, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and growth hormone all designed to regulate glucose in the body. Insulin's role is to store away excess nutrients in case of a famine. How Reducing Carbohydrates Supports Long-Term Health In conclusion, while carbohydrates are a necessary part of our diets, the modern diet often includes far too many of them. By reducing our carbohydrate intake, we can improve our health and longevity. It may take time to adjust to a low-carb diet, but it is worth the effort. If you want more information about diet and nutrition visit our FAQs page.
Learn more
Are Saturated Fats Healthy? Why Dietary Fats Support Longevity
Dietary Fats: Rethinking the Saturated Fat Debate Reference: Primal Body Primal Mind Nora Gedguadas The big fat surprise: Nina Teicholz Saturated Fat and Heart Disease: What the Research Says Even though the focus of dietary recommendations is usually a reduction of saturated fat intake, no relation between saturated fat intake and risk of coronary heart disease was observed in the most informative study to date. Walter Willet, Nutritional Epidemiology. So this is where we start. With the science that has debunked the saturated fat hysteria and shown that saturated fats are in fact essential for humans. But still, how many of us are cautious about the fat that we consume? Too much butter? Lean meats? These are still very much part of our conversations around food. Why the Body Needs Fat for Brain and Cellular Function We need fat as fuel for the brain and other cellular activity, and our bodies are so clever that when we don't eat enough fat we can convert carbohydrate (glycogen)into fat. The difference with the two types of energy sources in the body is that the body can store fat for energy but it does not store glycogen efficiently at all. With carbohydrate fueling we use it quickly and we are then looking for more food! Carbs don't fill us up for long periods of time, whereas with a high fat consumption we are sated much quickly and for longer. High Carb Diets, Metabolic Health and Obesity Today in the west we are so inundated with food we very rarely go hungry ( unless we have chosen to fast) so our bodies are always processing food. Mostly carbs. This is why many people are metabolically unwell, obesity is at record rates and we are the fattest and the sickest our species has ever been. Are Saturated Fats Healthy? Understanding Stable Fats Saturated fats have stable carbon bonds and are hard at room temperature, this means they stay ‘good’ for long periods of time and therefore good for us to consume. These fats are all fats that nature has produced for us, Butter, animal fats, avocado and cold pressed coconut oil. The body does need some polyunsaturated fats for the brain and the retina, but in very small amounts, the natural fats above all have polyunsaturated fats in the perfect ratio for us to use. Why Seed Oils and Processed Vegetable Oils May Be Harmful There is no need to add man made oils, like oils made from corn, seeds and other nuts and beans. These are processed and very unstable and are toxic to humans. Short, Medium and Long Chain Saturated Fats Explained All saturated fats are not the same. Short and medium chain saturated fats have potent antimicrobial properties. Their structure makes them unlikely to be stored as fat as all. ( butter, cream) Long chain dietary saturated fats: ( meat, fish, avocado, dairy) Fuel the muscles, including the heart. They give structural integrity to our cellular membranes, Assist in protein metabolism, Assist the brain structure and function become lung surfactant, protecting from air pollutants They also protect the polyunsaturated essential fats from damage, therefore improving their usage. Assist in proper immune function How the Body Converts Carbohydrates Into Fat When the body makes fat from carbohydrate it is generally converted to palmitate and is generally the one we want to get rid of most! Why We Need Natural Dietary Fats for Long-Term Health In conclusion, we need dietary fats, all of the good and none of the bad. Our bodies are finely tuned machines that use fuel adequately and store if there is too much. Humans historically have evolved to the ‘feast and famine’ experience, giving the body an opportunity to fuel and rest and convert. How amazing is this body of ours. Lets give us the best possible chance to live long, unencumbered with disease, and with freedom to move, grow and celebrate health, way into our old age by eating what nature intended us to eat. Healthy good naturally occurring fats, protein and a very very small amount of carbohydrate occasionally. For more on this subject check out this video from Dr. Sten Ekberg on the truth about fats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-_H7zwF2VQ If you have any questions about diet and nutrition do take a look at our FAQs page for lots more information.
Learn more
Low Stomach Acid and Digestion: How to Optimise Nutrient Absorption Naturally
Digestion and Nutrient Assimilation: Why Stomach Acid Matters Every system within the body relies on quality digestion. Human stomach pH should be 1.4 This is highly acidic to break down meat and bone. Today a lot of people do not produce enough hydrochloric acid for digestion. This can result in a number of things. Signs of Low Hydrochloric Acid and Poor Protein Digestion Poor digestion of the proteins and amino acids that run the fifty thousand functions in the body. Regulation of mood, maintenance and repair of cells organs, bones and tissues. Poor absorption of key minerals. Calcium magnesium phosphorus boron iron and zinc. Poor digestion stops Vit B12 assimilation which is essential for neurological health. Poorly digested food in the stomach can wreak havoc in the digestional tract. Bloating, reflux, irritation and inflammation eventually lead to leaky gut syndrome. More vulnerable to parasites and food borne illnesses. How Modern Diets Reduce Hydrochloric Acid Production The way we process and cook our food ( denature our food) the less Hydrochloric acid our stomachs make. Gluten from grains, heavily processed soy protein, and pasteurized milk products all contribute to problematic digestion due to a lack of hydrochloric acid. It is produced in the presence of proteins and is inhibited by the presence of starch and sugars. High carbohydrate diets that are combined with low protein intakes are a common cause of low hydrochloric acid. Vitamin B1, zinc, and vitamin C are all needed for Hydrochloric acid production. Overeating at mealtimes, inappropriate food combinations, excess alcohol consumption, and chronic stress, anxiety and over arousal at mealtimes can contribute to ineffective digestion. How Stress and Lifestyle Impact Stomach Acid and Gut Health Our bodies are the most amazing machines when given the correct diet. If we can learn to lower our stress levels with meditation, rest, and relaxation, our digestion can support a healthy body and mind. Giving us the ability to live long and pain free. With this awareness we can make the appropriate steps to correct the imbalances we may have in our gut, simply. How to Naturally Support Hydrochloric Acid for Better Digestion Below are the steps you need to take to keep your body producing hydrochloric acid for good functional digestion: Take time out and rest, relax and be calm at mealtimes. Chew, chew, chew. Consume high quality protein and bovine organs, not soy, cooked as minimally as possible and consume small to moderate amounts at mealtimes. Avoid mixing proteins and carbohydrates at the same time. Consider using fermented dairy and veg at mealtimes: sauerkraut, kimchi Do not fear saturated fats. Avoid Soy! (Soy contains enzyme inhibitors that will eventually ruin your ability to digest and absorb protein). Use a well sourced unrefined salt. Improving Gut Health Through Better Food Choices If we could all be aware of what foods we are eating, and choose ones that give us great digestion, ones that contribute to the amount of good stomach acid in our guts, we will be healthier and happier. Isn't that what we are here for? An amazing life experience with great health. if you'd like to find out more about diet and nutrition visit our FAQs page where we have answers to your questions.
Learn more
Why is Soy so bad for me?
Is Soy Really a Health Food? Consuming soy products is a modern phenomena. Traditionally soy has not been seen as a food, but due to chemical processing humans have created ‘food’ products from soy. Like TVP textured vegetable protein, tofu, soy milk, and soy protein powders. These have been touted as health foods but they are far from the truth. The benefits of soy have been pushed into the population by corporations and the health food industry. Phytic Acid in Soy: How It Blocks Essential Minerals Soy is a bean, high in phytic acid which stops the body assimilating essential minerals. Calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by soaking, sprouting or slow cooking. Phytoestrogens in Soy: Hormone Disruption and Thyroid Concerns High in phytoestrogens, soy is an endocrine disruptor. Causing the natural hormone release in our bodies to become dysfunctional. Cancer and infertility are two of the major problems with soy ingestion. They can also disrupt the activity of the thyroid. Phytoestrogens are goitrogens. Soy foods increase the body's requirement for Vit D and Vit B12. Aluminum in Soy and Nervous System Toxicity Soy foods are high in aluminum, which is toxic to the nervous system and the kidneys. Soy Consumption and Estrogen-Related Health Risks Scientists Daniel Sheehan and Daniel Doerge studied the results of the consumption of soy and have reported that the extra estrogen consumed has created an increased incidence of epithelial hyperplasia, a precursor to malignancies in women. Soy is also known to alter the menstrual cycle of some women, and reduce the testosterone in men. How Soy Is Processed: From Raw Bean to Protein Powder The whole process of getting soy into an ‘edible’ form from the soaking of the raw beans, to the curd being spray dried at high temperatures to create the incomplete protein powder is unnatural. It is also the most genetically modified crop we have on this planet. Common Soy Products Still Marketed as Healthy It still amazes me that this poison is still being sold in many forms: - Soy protein powder - Soy Milk - Tofu It feels like we have been coerced into believing that this is a food let alone a healthy food. The Big Food industry is not concerned with our health and wellbeing, only by convincing the population a toxic product that is perfectly ok for us to consume and ‘better’ for us than perhaps real dairy products, it can line its pockets with the evil spoil that is the money that is being made with this product. Are Fermented Soy Products Safer? Miso and Tempeh Explained The only ‘safe’ soy products are the fermented ones, made with non GMO soy, miso and tempeh. The fermentation largely neutralizes the phytic acid but the goitrogens or thyroid inhibitors remain intact. So care should be taken with these products not to consume regularly. Why Do People Choose Soy Over Real Milk and Meat? I encourage you to ask the reasons why your friends prefer soy lattes, and tofu to real milk and meat. Further Reading on Soy and Health For more information: https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2000/aug/27/life1.lifemagazine6 You can read more about health and nutrition on our FAQs page and do continue to explore our blogs. We post every week.
Learn more
Are Grains Bad For Me?
Why are grains not that good to eat?? All plants contain defence chemicals, because plants want to reproduce, they cant fight or run so have developed defences to maintain their species. To deter animals, insects and humans from eating them.
Learn more
Carnivore vs Paleo vs Vegan: How to Choose the Best Diet for Your Body
Humans Are Genetically Designed for a Hunter-Gatherer Diet 99.99% of our genes were formed before the development of agriculture. S. BOYD EATON MD. Medical anthropologist. As a species we are essentially genetically identical with respect to genetic expression, regardless of blood type to those humans living for than 40 thousand years ago’ NORA GEDGAUDAS author. Now think about how this knowledge can determine your food choices?? And your questions regarding your own nutrition and your families. We are essentially modern men in cave man bodies!! And with this in mind think about our species and how current ill health and everything falls into place. We are not feeding ourselves evolutionarily correctly. Eating Seasonally: What Food Looked Like for Early Humans So, popping your head out of the cave, mid summer, your food is lush. Fruit, wild berries, honey and meat. Animals are all well fed and fat, and there for the taking!! We are physiologically, biologically and genetically hunter gathers. This is how homo sapiens began their journey to modernity. By feeding themselves with meat and fat and grazing on sweet fruit that was in season. This food is what our bodies are designed to operate on, optimally. By choosing to eat evolutionarily there is so much variety. One of the advantages of being in the 21st century is that we do not have to hunt our food. We can!! If we want to. However, choosing to support farmers who produce amazing food is really where our food dollars should be going. Climate, Evolution and the Role of Environmental Stress The climate fluctuations had a massive influence on these early homo sapiens, who evolved through many ice ages. What food was around then? Certainly not plants! But we evolved and developed big brains and the smarts to survive under difficult conditions. I guess that's why now, the cold is essential for our bodies as an environmental stressor. Humans have evolved to benefit physically from tough conditions. During the ice ages, there was never any fruits or vegetables to provide the hormetic challenges we needed. What Did the Caveman Eat? Evidence from Early Humans An interesting study by Bryant and Williams-Dean 1975, looked at fossilized human feces which revealed a complete lack of plant material. (Interesting!!) So diets consisting of high amounts of carbohydrates is a modern phenomenon, one that we have not had time to adapt to or create defense against. Therefore we are a species with many diseases that we have created with this radical change of food. The fact that our bodies manufacture their own glucose for energy and brain function when needed from the other two macros, protein and fat. However most organs and tissues in the body prefer to use ketones. Are Carbohydrates the Cause of Modern Disease? All the modern diseases including cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, all are a result of too many carbohydrates not excess fats in the diet. Other contributing factors are man made fats, trans fats, rancid oils (oils oxidise from the moment they are produced) and other pollutants like glyphosate in our food chain. If you want to learn more I recommend this book. https://thebigfatsurprise.com The Diet-Heart Hypothesis and the Saturated Fat Debate My concern is that dietary fats have been vilified during my lifetime, and that doctors are still prescribing useless and quite dangerous drugs to lower cholesterol even though we now know that saturated fats are life-giving!!! With the chronic consumption of carbohydrate and man made fats we have created metabolic syndrome. Together with other factors, stress, dieting, lack of exercise and a diet deficient in protein and good fats, (Weve come out of a low fat high carb paradigm). Metabolic syndrome is contributing to all our modern dis- eases. 90% of Americans have metabolic syndrome!!! New Zealand Dietary Guidelines and the Carbohydrate Paradigm Our current health guidelines in NZ recommends 6 servings a day of carbohydrate in the form of grains. Also lean meat and low fat dairy. Therefore maintaining ill health. It seems that the health department and big pharma need each other. Again, its about following the money. https://www.nzihf.co.nz/media-resources-1/articles/personal%20training-nutrition-guidelines-adults One major health concern for adults in western countries is excessive dietary fat intake. This concern applies particularly to saturated fat, which increases the risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and hypertension (NHF 1999). A high-fat intake has also been associated with colorectal cancer (Baghurst et al 1997). NZ food guidelines (current document) The diet-heart hypothesis (that suggests that high intake of fat and cholesterol cause heart disease) has been repeatedly shown to be wrong and yet, for complicated reasons of pride, profit and prejudice , the hypothesis continues to be exploited by scientists, fundraising enterprises, food companies and every governmental agency. The public is being deceived by the greatest health scam of the century. GEORGE V MANN MD. Researcher. Returning to a Prehistoric Food Pyramid If we can stick to the prehistoric food Pyramid I believe we will live long and healthy lives. That is the majority of our food as grass fed meat, wild game, fat and some seafood. Some seasonal fruit and raw dairy. There is so much amazing food available to us now. Remember to support your local farmers, and farmers markets. Don't buy food that has been processed or imported. Got more questions about diet and nutrition, Take a look at our FAQs page for more information.
Learn more