DAY 8: MICROBIOME HEALTH

March 17, 2022 ~ Thursday

Fasting Update: Day 3 of the water fast. I feel more tired and I go from hot to cold. Mostly cold. My weight is down 1.7 pounds. My BP is better than yesterday at 129/82. The glucose is 60. I took a warm, not hot, shower today and washed my hair. I was tired after that and had to lay down. They do not like you taking showers because it is a fall risk. I think I will sit down to wash my hair going forward. There is a shower want that will make that easy. Also, today, I went to the chef and ask for a mug so I could have hot water in the mornings. There is an electric tea kettle in the empty kitchen. No stove needed. I can have the water cold, room temp, or hot. I have only tried the room temp water in a 12 ounce glass. I think tomorrow I will branch out with hot water in a mug.

Lecture: The lecture on the microbiome health was fascinating by Dr Csilla Veress. She treats people by looking at their gut biome. Sometimes, she has completely turn around people’s health by doing so.

For anyone who does not know what that is – it is the health of your gut or intestines. The health of all the little tiny bacteria that live there. The kinds of bacteria depend on the type of diet you have. The more fruits and vegetables you eat you will have more good than bad.

We academically know our bodies are a complex design. But do we really comprehend the extent to just how complex? I think not. Apparently, the gut biome sends out signals to the entire body and your entire body knows what you are eating by the signals sent out of the gut and reacts accordingly. If you are eating pro-inflammatory foods then the body will send out more anti-inflammatory agents. Not good.

So what are the factors that can give you a healthier gut?

First, eat more fruits and vegetables. The fiber in them feed the biome. They ferment that fiber and eat it. Good health DEPENDS on the microbiome living within us.

Second, a person can’t change the genes they were given at conception, but they can turn them on and off by the diet that they eat. This is called epigenetics and some really cool science. It makes body hacking possible. We have the power to affect how our body works by what we put in our mouths. The possibilities are endless.

Here is Dr. Veress’ list of thing that help to create a healthy gut.

1. Eat a whole food plant based, salt, oil, sugar free diet (of course).
2. Get good sleep.
3. Manage stress. Get stressful things out of your life, learn to meditate.
4. Move. Exercise. Lift weights (more about that later).
5. Practice purpose driven happiness – spirt.
6. Have a good community around you.

I am at True North where they ascribe to this type of “whole food plant based, salt, oil, sugar free” diet. I had to pick a plan and this is the one I chose. This is not the only way to health. Their are other diets similar to this that are not as restrictive. But I am committed and compliant to this one. I will succeed.

EAT MORE VF’S! (vegetables and fruits)