Fasting, Weight Loss, and Autophagy

I am doing further research on the subject of repairing the body on a cellular level and the how fasting can play a huge role in it. Today I will see my doctor again as a follow up to a prior visit and most likely any help that can, or will be extended, will be in the form of harsh pharmaceuticals only. Not my gig, but I with little choices and running out of time, I will have to do what needs to be done. The last straw for me now is the subject of fasting and what happens to the body. I will quote an article by Christian Coulson from 2020.

Fasting is not only for weight loss but also autophagy, something I never even heard of before and here is a closer look to what happens to us during the fast.

The Fed State (0-6 hours) After having your last meal, blood glucose levels rise. The increase will promote insulin secretion and stimulate protein synthesis as a signal to move glucose into the cell to be used as energy. The excess glucose will then be stored in the liver in the form of glycogen. The liver will store glycogen to reduce blood glucose and have energy during times of low food availability. The liver, however, can only store around 100g of glycogen and the excess is stored as fat.

The postabsorptive stage (6-24 hours) after 6 hours, blood glucose levels start to decrease, this leads to a decrease in insulin and an increase in glucagon, furthermore, the liver breaks down glycogen into glucose to be used as energy. When there is no intake of glucose, glucagon will serve to move glycogen stores as well as to prevent fatty acid synthesis.

Gluconeogenic stage (1-2 days) After 24 hours, you’ve used most of your glycogen stores. Consequently, your body starts transitioning from using glucose to using fat for energy. However, due to fats being difficult to access and be delivered where needed, this transition can take some time. Meanwhile, your body breaks down amino acids into glucose for energy in a process called gluconeogenesis.

Ketonic stage (2-3 days) One of the stages of fasting is the ketonic stage. At this point, your body starts entering ketosis. The decrease in insulin serves as a signal of low energy availability and promotes the break down of fats for energy. Fats are broken down into three fatty acids and glycerol. Fatty acids will be used as energy by most tissues. Glycerol, on the other hand, will be used to produce glucose, since some other tissues, such as the brain and red blood cells still need it.

Protein conservation (4+ days) After day four, your body relies mostly on fatty acids and ketones for energy. It also releases Hugh amounts of human growth hormone to maintain tissues and muscle mass.

Depending on how big your last meal was, you can expect to start burning fat after fasting for 6-24 hours. For most people, it ends up being around 12 hours. When you enter a fasted state, your body can burn the stored fat that it couldn’t access during the fed state. Here is a more in depth look

4-8 hours. Blood sugar and insulin levels drop.

12 hours. Food eaten has most likely been burned, digestive system starts resting, body begins the healing process, human growth hormone (HGH) increases, and glucagon is released to balance blood sugar.

14 hours. HGH keeps increasing and body begins to burn fat as energy.

16 hours. Fat burning increases.

18 hours. HGH increases even more.

18-20 hours. Autophagy starts to kick in and ketones are released.

36 hours. Autophagy increases by 300%.

48 hours. Cellular regeneration starts, and inflammation starts going down. Autophagy increases 30% more.

72 hours. Autophagy peaks.

Autophagy stands for cellular regeneration. During fasting, since you are not eating, your body is not getting enough nutrients. The lack of nutrients will force your body to break down old proteins and cells to get energy. Basically, autophagy forces your body to clean out the old, unwanted, and unneeded cells, as well as recycling and fixing damaged parts. During the period of refeeding, your body then starts creating new cells. Many people use fasting and autophagy to prevent cancer by destroying old cells.

All in all it sounds like a great opportunity to explore for me. Not only for getting a few extra pounds off and weight loss, but mainly to follow my theory on the subject to “Fix the cell to be well.” I think it is worth a try and I will definitely give it the green light.

An unusual visitor and a Wolves spirit message

Two wolves passed through my backyard the other day. Cinnamon was barking up a storm outside, spotting them way before I did. Once inside, she kept hanging close by the window, growling and intensely alert. So I watched with her and at first there was nothing, but soon something moved higher up on the ridge. For a moment I couldn’t comprehend what I was seeing. It wasn’t a dog, it looked bigger than a coyote, and all of a sudden I just knew it wasn’t one. And then another, a lighter animal with a giant plume as a tail emerged lower on the mountain and I knew for sure that we weren’t dealing with a coyote sighting. But wolves? I never knew we had wolves in the area and after a little research I found that indeed it was confirmed in 2021 that a third pack of wolves were established in nearly 100 years. This pack is said to consist of three wolves and despite I only saw two, there might have been a third. To say the least, it is pretty cool and somewhat frightening at the same time. Since the sighting, Cinnamon is on constant alert and I am grateful that she senses things like these. She doesn’t go outside alone at night and our eyes are always peeled for any further signs. What an unusual animal to see though and Wolf comes with a message for me that I think I needed to hear.

“Characteristics and behaviors that no longer serve your spirit purpose are being culled from your consciousness. Make cooperation a priority over competition. Valuable insights, ideas, and new teachings are coming your way, so pay close attention. It’s important to maintain your self-esteem and integrity and deeply trust in your inner knowing, even when you feel misunderstood or misaligned. You’re being spiritually and physically protected at all times, so there’s really no need to fear.”

The facts of life

I’ve read something the other day and it made me smile. I perceived no threat from the article, but “ain’t that the truth” I thought to myself as I read along. It goes back to the Crone, the woman who has been around for awhile and this is what it said.

A woman reaches a certain age where she doesn’t want anyone’s drama. She doesn’t want to fight with anyone, but if she’s forced to, you should know she won’t fight fair, she will not quit, and there are no weapons she won’t use. Best leave her alone with her coffee, liquor, and chocolate. Don’t poke the old woman. They will hurt you, BAD!

I am not here to hurt anyone. I am a lover not a fighter, yet I can be both, and sometimes we have to be. But we definitely tolerate less BS as we get older. I also let a lot more slide, the small stuff, that’s not worthy, and it’s quite incredible how much stuff has become the small stuff. But I will stand up for the big stuff, the stuff that’s important to me. The games are getting old and we simply don’t have the time for such nuisance anymore. We’ve been around the block a time or two. Ain’t that right ladies? Who relates? Especially if you mess with my chocolate 😜

The High Priestess

From time to time I like to consult the cards to see what they have to say about a current situation, my progress or to simply get clarification and a glimpse of what lies ahead. Monthly, I consult my Spirit Animal deck to see what energy supports us for the upcoming month and personally I have found much value in doing this. These oracle cards have always made sense to me and have been a guiding companion. Over the years I have grown very close to them. Today was the day to seek advice and this time I used my Deviant Moon Tarot Deck. I only used it twice so far, but already the connection is deep and true. In my opinion Tarot is more complex than simple Oracle Cards and there is much more to learn about Tarot. I only have two decks of Tarot and soon I will be reunited with my Steampunk deck that I left behind in Germany.

Today the High Priestess showed up in my reading and it’s not the first time she made an appearance. It seems she shows her magnificence every time I am in Germany or about to go. Either way the subject seems to revolve around Germany when she crosses my path. And Germany has always held some challenging times for me, so I am not surprised.

The High Priestess is a Major Arcana card and there about 22 of them in a deck. Major Arcana cards indicate that the seeker is in the flow when it comes to where their lives are heading. This flow can be so strong that the seeker feels as if they have little control. This couldn’t be anymore true and reflects exactly how I feel during these crazy times. Yet it is very comforting to read that despite of it, I am in the flow of things in regards to where life is heading.

Further meanings of the High Priestess are that it is the most intuitive, connected card in the whole tarot deck. The High Priestess is a card of awareness and subconscious ness. This card urges you to listen to your inner voice and to follow your instincts. Your mind knows far, far more than you think it does, and the High Priestess embodies this concept. When she arises in your Tarot reading, stop looking for answers in the outside world and instead, turn within for the guidance you seek.

The Hight Priestess represents secrets, mystery, intuition, wisdom, magic, and making the impossible become possible. I think I am about to do that, ain’t I!!!!

Fasting for better overall health

Fasting is something I’ve never dabbled in when it comes to my health. I once incorporated a day of nothing but fruit and another days of nothing but vegetables, and besides my Green Juice that I made faithfully for the longest time, new evidence is stepping forward to revisit some of this content with new knowledge.

Just yesterday I posted about fixing the body on a cellular level and I can still here the slogan that goes “Fix the cell to be well.” In my list of what we can do to improve our cellular health it was fasting that stood out to me and begged to be explored further. I did some research and I believe I am on to something. It’s a feeling, a hunch, I have experienced every time I had a major breakthrough. It feels a little like being lost and finding the trail again as it fills me with new energy to pursue this theory and learn more. Like I have finally arrived and found that next step.

According to the Cellular health institute and a recent study it is suggested that fasting for three consecutive days can completely reboot the immune system. This is possible because when your system is starved, your body begins producing new white blood cells via stem cells, and white blood cells help our bodies to fight infection. In essence the study showed that three days of fasting “flips a switch” to ignite regeneration of the immune system, and is especially helpful for those with already damaged immune systems. Dr. Valter Longo observed dramatic healing in patients of whom had gut issues that were impeding the healing of other coexisting conditions. One gut issue frequently noted is leaky gut, and a diet of GMO’s, grains, sugars and other toxins which are the root of the condition.

Fasting is an ancient healing tool and it works. When you ingest only liquid, ideally in the form of water, functional medicine foods or bone broth, the gut is given time to “heal and seal.” Fasting starves down all bacteria, good and bad, and post-fat the gut is re-inoculated with good bacteria to reset. Fasting also helps to bring nutrition to a depleted body and remains the fastest way to stimulate the healing of a variety of health conditions.

It is suggested here to do this reboot for three consecutive days and I will explore alternative ways of fasting such as intermittent fasting and what happens to our body during particular timeframes in a future post. It’s very interesting and once again it speaks to me and makes sense. Stay tuned to find out just how long it will take for your body to switch over, burning fat for energy (weight loss) and kick out the old damaged cells to build new healthy ones. It sounds like fasting plays an essential role in this reset of repairing and building better cellular health.

Repair on a cellular level

I have chased many theories over the years when it comes to combating my chronic disease. I have searched for answers high and low and found that it’s never just one thing, nor does a one and the same approach is not the answer for everyone.

Often we are told that our diet is key and we are what we eat. Doctors are quick to jump onto the bandwagon to blame a poor diet for any shortcomings and while a healthy balance is essential, it’s not all. Counting calories, maintaining a healthy weight and JoJo diets don’t seem to do trick all by itself.

I have explored stress management and have found that stress is not our friend. Stress and anxiety can send us into a tailspin, throwing off the balance of our ever so delicate system. Yet stress management is not always easy and when you are stuck making ends meet, you almost find yourself in a no win situation. While diet, portion control and stress management are key contributors, we still fall short in eradicating our ailments and our disease.

Oh and who could forget exercise and movement. And boy have I tried this one, never quite knowing of what is too much and what is not enough. A move, move, move philosophy falls short when you are crippled by pain which makes it hard to just complete your basic daily tasks. Stuck in a vicious cycle it’s another strike against you, and it surely is adding up. The other day I heard a phrase that stuck with me and without knowing much about it yet, I feel that somehow it makes sense and is the answer.

“REPAIR THE CELL TO BE WELL.”

Without paying attention to our cells and our internal world, we only keep spinning our wheels. Exercise alone can’t help if we consume junk food. Stress levels will continue to soar if we don’t meditate or find some sort of balance. Even portion control won’t matter if what we consume only fuels the toxins and heavy metals we carry within. It requires more, a healthy balance to a multitude of things, also called functional medicine. Functional medicine focuses on the big picture and not just diet or slapping a bandaid onto the symptoms. I took a closer look to what we can do ourselves to heal our cells and I believe it is here at the foundation where everything starts that we can make a difference. It is said that all disease results from failed mechanisms within cells. So cell repair should be at the top of our list and here are a few things of what we can do.

1. Drop grains from your diet. Yes that means whole grains as well.

2. Switch to grass fe animal products.

3. Detox heavy metals from your system.

4. Cut out toxic vegetable oils.

5. Try cellular burst training (HIIT)

6. Eat more unpasteurized fermented foods.

7. Upgrade your morning coffee to organic beans that are free of mold and pesticides.

8. Incorporate high quality supplements.

9. Pay attention to your water.

10. Avoid GMO’s as much as possible.

11. Experiment with fasting to heal your immune system and gut.

12. Change your mindset.

I will definitely look closer into a few of these points and see what I can incorporate and layer on. I feel that I have always been my own healer and Shaman. I have the information and most of the tools. And while some things will always be out of our control, we always have a way and the opportunity to influence our outcome. I truly believe that and if we are serious enough, we push aside the difficulties and excuses and just make it happen. What do we have to lose? Only up and better from here.

A rare and special day in numerology, with a message from our angels

Picture: Facebook Alex

Do you believe in numerology and angel numbers? It is said that seeing like numbers such 1111, 555, 444 and others alike have meaning and are messages from your guardian angels to communicate and perhaps nudge you into the right direction. I have seen these numbers a lot lately, almost daily. I have in the past, but never as much as now. It is easily said that during this time of most personal transition, I have needed more guidance or nudges for sure. Perhaps it is now and with ever growing consciousness that I am noticing these nudges. Maybe they have been here before, but I wasn’t ready to see. I am seeing now and who knows, I am sure there is yet more to see that I am currently missing. I know the information will come when I am ready, when my vibrations increase and when I am ready for the next step.

This has been a whirlwind of a month and we have been evolving at a rapid rate. I am feeling it and I am sure you have been too. It has been an emotional rollercoaster, euphoria and sometimes a sense of drowning, being overwhelmed and pushed right to the edge. And supposedly this energy shift started on 2.2.22, the beginning of February when everything we’ve worked on intensified and took us to another level. Today on this day also known as “Twosday” we are adding another 2 into the mix to make it 2.22.22. It is however the last day and this supercharged portal is closing, signifying the ending of an old chapter and marking the beginning of a magnificent new beginning. What makes today rare is that we will not experience another date with only 2’s in it for another 178 years, making today a once in a lifetime date. That is pretty cool in itself, but for me it has been all about the progress, the journey, the arriving here, where I am today. And what a journey it has been. It is still changing, still evolving as one piece after another slowly falls into place. The weight is getting lighter, I can feel it and a burden is lifting, although there is work to be done yet, but on this day of positivity and powerful energy, I don’t feel overwhelmed but a sense of serenity washing over me.

The number 2 relates to balance, harmony, friendship and relationships. It brings positivity, so we can expect genuine connections to be renewed or strengthened. 2 is a karmic number, and it is possible to experience many energy shifts throughout today, feeling old stagnant energy clearing as our vibrations elevate.

Number 22222 is an important message from your angels to pay attention, to be mindful and follow your intuition. It is also a sign that your prayers are about to be answered by divine guidance, support and help. 22222 is the universal code for receiving very clear messages from your guardian angels. It is a sign that all of our hard work and care will be rewarded. It also lets us know that we have one last effort before we notice this change in our life for good.

In numerology, angel number 22222 is here to guide us, to show us love and support to find our direction in life. We can expect confirmation that we are on the right path to attaining spiritual enlightenment. That we should continue walking the spiritual path we choose without felling guilty about it. And again we are reminded that we are at a point in our lives where we need and seek balance. Balance seems to be coming up so much lately and for me it has been a key word. One that is rooted deeply and just like love is the answer to all.

Happy Twosday….

Re-center in love

Art by Salem Waters

Love is the answer to everything and yet sometimes we forget. The most profound memory I have to love being the answer is when I was in Germany during my ten month stay with Mom. She was very ill and it was the year before her passing. Many hard feelings from her side came to the surface and she was lashing out at me with words that cut like a knife. It was years of suppressed anger concerning a decisions I made that left her feeling as if I didn’t choose her, but rather left her behind. There came a day when I realized that that anger had to be released, it had to be spoken and voiced before peace and forgiveness could take place. But realization was more im hindsight and at the time it was hard to see it for what it was. Some of the things I experienced at that time were beyond hard and hurtful to hear. I even had to walk away from her a few times. Perhaps because I was going through my own motions, and I wasn’t going to let her see how badly she was wounding me. Now I look at it and I wouldn’t hide behind pride or fear or whatever emotion that prevented me to show my feelings ever again. They would be on a platter, open, honestly, raw, in all its vulnerability.

And then something changed. I let her rant and rave. I allowed all the rage to come out and in silence I let her say everything she needed to say without defending myself. Without arguing back at her, telling her about her own faults, I just let it be and rested my case. I was at a point I knew I had said everything I needed to say, nothing would make a difference anymore but only drive the knife deeper. It was time for her to realize this but in her rage she couldn’t and eventually I walked away. Wounded and badly hurt, my heart breaking, in tears. You could have thought that this was the end and we’d never ever speak again. Surely, enough had happened to warrant for it, but that very night I came back and brought her soup. It was my version of love is the answer and everything changed from that moment and her guards dropped.

Love is the answer and yet sometimes we forget in the heat of the moment. Sometimes we are in a battle with ourselves and nobody else is involved. Our reaction could be triggered by an old wound or a situation we still struggle with. We end up lowering our vibrations as we let pain, fear, anger, disappointments, revenge, gossip and greed sneak in. All of these traits we might identify our shadow self with which is often believed to be the dark side of us, the one that reacts so out of character, so out of the way we usually handle ourselves. We have talked many times about the shadow self and I hope we remember that even our shadow self needs love. That love is the answer and that these unfavorable traits were created due to wounds based on the experiences of our life. And it all experiences were within our control, so don’t be so hard on yourself.

Love is the answer and yet sometimes we forget. Practice makes perfect they say and awareness is everything. Imagine what could be if we noticed our slip into lower vibrations. That moment of noticing gives us the opportunity to correct our course and change our habit. Our old ways, our outdated systems. They also say that it takes 30 days to change a habit, to create the new and make it stick. So that very moment of noticing allows us to transform back to compassion, forgiveness, understanding and love which will translate ultimately into peace. Peace of mind, peace and calm within. It might be the most crucial part of our existence, one that could prevent hardships and even chronic illnesses. Could this moment bring the balance we need while we re-center ourselves in love? It doesn’t matter how long it takes or even how often it happens. The only thing that matters is that we notice when it happens, to take the opportunity, to re-center in love, and trust that eventually these moments will become less and less. More and more of our actions will be centered in love, turning into habits, while being less reactive, but nonetheless become more accepting. Being more of a healthy balance and a wonderful gift, one only we can give to ourselves.

Hush Puppies

February is black history month, a time to look back but also forward, a time to remember and a time to never forget. Everybody knows Hush Puppies and it might even be a favorite good of yours. But have you ever wondered about where the name came from? I have to admit that I haven’t and it’s just another one of those things I don’t question, a thing that just is. But then I saw this explanation from a friends post on Facebook and I had to share.

Escaping slaves used to throw balls of fried corn meal out to distract the hounds from tracking them. The hounds stopped barking and tracking thanks to the corn meal which later adapted the name “hush puppies.”

I might even cry today

Some days I feel like life is overwhelming and yet I know everything is moving along as smoothly as possible. There is just so much that is happening all at once, and because of it life feels heavy at times. Much needs attention as the time is ticking down and in less than 3 weeks I will be gone to Germany. Sometimes I don’t feel ready and on a day like today where I barely slept during the night because of physical pain, I can feel the fear and doubt creeping in. How will I manage the flight? How…how…how…is the theme song playing out in my head, and my faithful motto to trust, surrender and let it all unfold has vanished once more.

I feel more vulnerable and the pain reminds me of how quickly and swiftly it can influence my overall outlook. Today I feel vulnerable enough that I might even cry.

Another doctors appointment is around the corner in regards to my follow up and the x-rays. A referral to a specialist has been requested or submitted to treat my ongoing issues and perhaps halt further bone erosion in addition to the one in hands I already have. The pain meds prescribed, a fancy name for Aleve aren’t doing the trick and I still struggle way too much to go about my days.

Today I feel vulnerable enough that I might even cry.

In other news the countdown is on. Taxes are waiting to be addressed, Prescriptions need to be reordered and picked up despite not really making a big difference. The pain and sadness over the death of a loved one is still very fresh and demands attention and action. There is already a heartfelt separation anxiety that I feel when it comes to my loved ones and my beloved Cinnamon. Even to that small but very familiar space of the tiny abode in which I dwell in and have the comforts that I need. There is travel anxiety with a virus at large that most likely will never go away. Still being subjected to millions of people in airports and planes makes it almost unavoidable and impossible to not get sick. There is pressure about a rental car, about scheduling and getting a negative covid test prior to departure. There are things that are still not quite resolved as far as getting the things I want to keep back to the States, and where to, a way to figure out wifi coverage in Germany so I don’t feel soooo disconnected, and numerous other things.

As it is evident, I am overwhelming myself today. All because a continued lack of sleep and my constant pain levels. As the time is ticking away, I feel the pressure, and while there is so much to look forward to, it also remains simply overwhelming. And that while I have it easy, ha. It could be a lot different. But….

Today I feel vulnerable enough and I might even cry.