To Breakfast Or Not?

Just over eleven years ago I received an email from somebody whom I am helping. They told me for breakfast they had a rice puff.

At the time I replied:

Almost no nutrition in a rice puff and it is the most important meal of the day.

There is an old saying in my culture:
Eat like a king for breakfast,
a prince for lunch and
a pauper for dinner.

Most people these days do the opposite.

The reason it is good advice is that the body runs on the blood sugar or glucose it gets from converting the energy in carbohydrates. If it does not burn that energy it converts it into fat to store it.

A large breakfast gives you a store of energy to burn through the day. Eating a large meal at night does not allow the body a lot of time to convert the fuel to energy so it converts it to fat. Not that you are overweight, but a bigger and better quality breakfast would give you more energy through the day.

One client replied:

I love most of the stuff you put through Tom. I have to disagree with the big breakfast theory though.

The body is going through a natural detox from 4am – 12 noon so you shouldn’t be loading it full of complex carbs at that time…..or any clogging type of food.

The type of food most people choose to eat for breakfast would cause the body to use more energy in digesting it than it would give it in return.

Some very lightly steamed broccoli with butter and almonds is a perfect way to start the day. And/or a good healthy vegie juice as that’s the best way to get the nutrition we need from the vegies most won’t take the time to eat or will cook up and destroy the live enzymes and the limit the nutritional value they get from them.

My two cents worth…….

Have a great evening and thanks so much for the always informative newsletter

Cheers

Narelle

As I reread this I recalled talking to a teacher who told me later in the school day she could tell you who ate breakfast and who didn’t based on their ability to pay attention. (The breakfast skippers were unable to stay focused.)

Just recently I forwarded a post from the Glucose Goddess on blood glucose wherein she recommending a low carb start to the day as it set the body up for lower blood sugar spikes.

All in all I think the above breakfast alternatives reinforce my long standing view that diet is not a “one size fits all” scenario, you need to become your own health researcher to work out what best suits your spirit/mind/body combination.

‘I will go to my grave angry at that man’: Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks opens up about the psychiatrist she blames for ruining her chances of having a family

Mick Stevie Dave

She was as famous for her drugs battle and rock and roll lifestyle as for her distinctive voice during the height of her fame with Fleetwood Mac.

And as Stevie Nicks returns on tour with the band, she reveals that she holds a 20-year grudge against the psychiatrist she claims prevented her from marrying and having children when he treated her for over eight years in her thirties.

The 65-year-old star accused her psychiatrist of being a gossip-hungry groupie who fed her high doses of valium to keep her coming back into his surgery.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2423353/Stevie-Nicks-Fleetwood-Mac-star-opens-psychiatrist-ruined-chances-having-family.html

Unlocking the Secrets of Centenarian Longevity

  • The research highlights several biomarkers to predict exceptional longevity, emphasizing the importance of monitoring these indicators for health benefits
  • Centenarians consistently maintain lower levels of glucose, creatinine and uric acid from their 60s, with very few having glucose levels above 6.5 mmol/L or creatinine levels above 125 µmol/L earlier in life
  • The study highlights that biomarker differences appear long before death, indicating that genetics and lifestyle choices significantly influence longevity
  • A large dataset of 44,636 Swedes was used in the study, providing robust insights into the factors contributing to living beyond a century
  • The study reveals a gender disparity in exceptional longevity, with women comprising 84.6% of the centenarians studied, highlighting biological advantages in female aging

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/12/20/secrets-of-centenarian-longevity.aspx

Melatonin — A ‘Nighttime Guardian’ Against Alzheimer’s

  • Alzheimer’s disease affects over 50 million people worldwide, with poor sleep being a significant risk factor
  • Disrupted circadian rhythms are common in Alzheimer’s patients and exacerbate cognitive decline; when your melatonin levels are balanced, you support the synchronization of your brain’s internal clocks, which enhances overall brain function and resilience
  • Clinical studies show melatonin supplementation improves cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients, with decreased melatonin levels serving as an early indicator of the disease
  • Melatonin functions as a powerful antioxidant, supports immune system health, aids reproductive success, reduces post-operative pain and has anticancer properties; it also helps maintain the integrity of your blood-brain barrier, an important defense that keeps harmful substances out of your brain
  • Natural melatonin production can be optimized through morning sunlight exposure, minimizing evening blue light, maintaining a dark bedroom and reducing stress before bedtime

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/12/18/melatonin-alzheimers.aspx

When Is the Best Time to Take Your Supplements?

  • When using supplements, choosing the right ones for your need is only a part of the equation — taking them at the right time, with or without food, is also essential to maximize their effectiveness
  • Water-soluble vitamins are best taken with food during daytime, while fat-soluble vitamins need to be taken with meals containing healthy fats, either in the day or evening
  • Minerals like calcium, magnesium and zinc also have specific timing requirements — calcium works best in divided doses, magnesium before bed and zinc during daytime with food
  • Fitness supplements, like beta-alanine, beetroot juice and creatine, require specific timing around workouts and meals to maximize their effectiveness for athletic performance and recovery
  • While supplement timing enhances benefits, a nutritionally balanced diet remains the foundation of your health; whole foods provide the most bioavailable nutrients and reduce the need for supplements

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/12/21/best-time-to-take-your-supplements.aspx

Benzodiazepines — A Prescription for Dependency and the Fight for Change

As Prescribed

In conventional mental health treatment, benzodiazepines have long been a staple for managing anxiety, insomnia and various other conditions. Medications such as Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin are prescribed to millions, offering temporary relief to those grappling with overwhelming stress and panic.

However, as illuminated in film “As Prescribed,” the widespread use of benzodiazepines carries significant risks of dependency, severe withdrawal symptoms and profound impacts on individuals and their families.1 The documentary explores the human cost of benzodiazepine dependence, the legislative battles to regulate their prescription, the divided stance within the medical community and the support systems emerging to help those affected.

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/12/21/benzodiazepines-as-prescribed-documentary.aspx

Why Autoimmune Conditions Are On The Rise

Digestive System

Laura Frontiero writes:

Did you know that autoimmune conditions have tripled in the last 30 years?

Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Hashimoto’s, lupus are your body’s way of waving a red flag – and mounting evidence suggests that flag is often planted in your gut.

The Gut-Immune Connection

Groundbreaking research has revealed that the root cause of many autoimmune disorders may lie in the gut microbiome.

Your gut lining serves as a critical barrier, carefully controlling what enters your bloodstream. When this delicate barrier becomes compromised (a condition known as “leaky gut”), it can trigger a cascade of immune dysfunction.

Toxins, undigested food particles, and harmful bacteria that leak through the damaged gut lining can provoke your immune system into a state of high alert, leading to chronic inflammation and misguided attacks on healthy tissues.

The Surprising Symptoms

This gut-driven immune confusion can manifest in seemingly unrelated ways:

Inexplicable joint pain and stiffness

Chronic skin conditions that won’t resolve

Persistent tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest

Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

While these symptoms may seem disconnected, they often share a common denominator: a leaky gut that needs repair.

How to Resolve Autoimmunity

Healing your gut lining is a critical step in restoring immune regulation and calming the systemic inflammation that fuels autoimmunity.

However, many leaky gut symptoms actually have no digestive component, which is why it often goes unnoticed and untreated.

There are 10 surprising symptoms you should know about – and I’ve created a resource that walks you through each one…

Plus, the science-backed strategies to help repair your gut and rebalance your immune function.
Decode Your Symptoms

If you’ve been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition – or you are experiencing the symptoms in my guide – taking the actions I’ve outlined can help kickstart your healing.

Of course, that’s just the first step.

The next one should involve speaking with a healthcare provider and also getting a gut test.

This test reveals exactly what’s going on in your microbiome – including unseen infections, too many “bad” gut bugs, and the presence of sneaky pathogens wreaking havoc and fanning the flames of inflammation – so we can take targeted actions to resolve those issues.

Chances are good that once you resolve the root causes causing your immune system to be on overdrive, you can alleviate (or even reverse!) your autoimmunity.

Pop into my article “Leaky Gut Signs: 10 Common Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore” for all the details: https://laurafrontiero.com/10-common-symptoms-you-shouldnt-ignore/

Take Good Care,

Laura

Take Care of Yourself – Doc Morris Christmas Advert 2020

Take Care Of Yourself

This Christmas ad is all about keeping fit and healthy – encouraging people to take care of themselves so they can take care of others and those that truly matter in life. Produced by DocMorris of Germany, the short video follows a man who is deciding to do just that … take care of himself. It inspires all of us … young or not-so-young … to get up and work hard to take the necessary steps to improve our overall health.

https://www.flixxy.com/take-care-of-yourself-doc-morris-christmas-advert-2020.htm

Star Wars Holiday Special (1978) – The Infamous Classic in Stunning 60fps

Star Wars Holiday Special

Step back to 1978 for the ultimate Star Wars curiosity—The Holiday Special! Now in smooth 60fps, this rarity delivers an intergalactic mix of cringe and nostalgia. Witness the Wookiee Life Day celebration, bizarre musical numbers, and the animated debut of Boba Fett! May the Force be with you!     The Star Wars Holiday Special is an American television special originally broadcast by CBS on November 17, 1978. It is set in the universe of the sci-fi-based Star Wars media franchise. Directed by Steve Binder, it was the first Star Wars spin-off film, set between the events of the original film and the yet-to-be-released sequel The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It stars the main cast of the original Star Wars and introduces the character of Boba Fett, who appeared in later films. It has become something of a cultural legend due to the underground quality of its existence.

https://www.flixxy.com/star-wars-holiday-special-1978-the-infamous-classic-in-stunning-60fps.htm