Yes, many things make a difference in life. This blog only refers to the two I believe can make a BIG difference 🙂.
The power of words is at the core of what I believe and do. I am seldom surprised at how they almost invisibly shape and craft our life experience, how they describe the stories that make up every aspect of our lives, and how they impact and mold our future.
In fact, I am such a believer in words and their inherent power that I have written a book on the topic. I am very excited 😀 about it but more about that in a future blog.
For now, suffice to say that optimal human health and performance also play an essential role in my life. I am specifically interested in how our eating habits and physical activity impact our ability to live optimally.
Why does this matter so much to me?
Because as I am constantly taking action and participating in the co-creation of my best life, living that imagined future each and every day I want to be in optimal physical condition to enjoy it for as long as humanly possible, right?
Why work on living out that inspirational future while inadvertently limiting my ability to participate in it fully?
Food and exercise is not my field of expertise however I refuse to pass up the opportunity to share just a little of what I am learning because all humans deserve to live optimally healthy lives and if this can open some eyes just a little I will be super happy.
Let’s quickly get to those 2 things
1. Glutathione
Let me start by noting that the majority of the pointers I share below come from Dr Mark Hyman’s book The Ultra Mind Solution. I strongly suggest every human that wants to live an optimally healthy life read it 🙂.
So why is glutathione so important?
Well, it recycles antioxidants. It is critical in helping your immune system do its job and managing inflammation. Glutathione is central to good health because it is the master detoxifier protecting our cells and making our energy metabolism run well.
Glutathione is essential in achieving peak mental and physical health. Research has shown that high levels of glutathione decrease muscle damage, reduces recovery time, increase strength and endurance.
Broccoli sprouts are the biggest inducers of glutathione production; however, you can also load up on other members of the broccoli family, such as kale, turnips, bok choy, watercress, horseradish, radish, and mustard greens.
What’s the secret?
The secret of it’s power is the sulphur chemical groups it contains. This sulphur acts like “flypaper” and all bad things in the body stick to it – from free radicals to toxins such as mercury and other heavy metals.
Dr. Mark Hyman states that over the 10 years, he has treated chronically ill patients, he has found glutathione deficiency in nearly all very sick patients.
The good news – your body produces glutathione. It is made from foods that contain sulfur, such as garlic, onions, eggs, cruciferous vegetables, and most forms of protein. These include an amino acid called cysteine, the basic building block of glutathione. The bad news is that poor diets, pollution, toxins, stress, medications, infections, and radiation deplete glutathione. So yes, you need to take supplements; however, you would need professional guidance on this matter (I am no doctor 🙂).
Enough for now before this blog becomes a mini-thesis 🙂. There is SO much more to learn about glutathione; however, hopefully, I have sparked your interest and pointed you in the right direction, Dr. Mark Hyman for further reading (one of many authors on this fascinating topic).
If I could give you one piece of advice other than the importance of sunscreen 😂, it would be to research the impact and benefits of glutathione.
2. Movement
Why is movement important?
To be clear, I am referring to more than merely moving from the couch to the fridge and then to bed 😂. Yes, I am referring to “that word” exercise.
Ok, ok, don’t stop reading and roll your eyes to the heavens. What I am referring to does not require hours of sweating, grunting, and an expensive gym membership.
Quickly, back to the why.
This blog is specifically about why movement is essential for the brain. Yes, it is fantastic to look good; who doesn’t want that summer body come December and the beach starts calling? However, this blog is specifically about why movement is essential for your brain because we all need it regardless of the summer body, right?
Exercise strengthens your cardiovascular system. Specifically, it is the blood vessels that supply your brain. In fact, according to Dr. Mark Hyman, the most common form of cognitive decline as we age is not Alzheimer’s but the hardening of the brain arteries, called vascular dementia.
Exercise prevents and corrects insulin resistance which plays a huge role in brain ageing as a result of blood sugar and insulin imbalances. It erases the effects of stress and improves your resistance to stress. It improves mood and balances neurotransmitter function. It increases GABA (anti anxiety neurotransmitter), serotonin (happy neurotransmitter) and dopamine (energising neurotransmitter).
It reduces inflammation and improves immune function. It improves overall motivation, neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. It stimulates the production of BDNF (brain derived neurotropic function) which is effectively fertiliser for the brain improving neuron function and protects them against cell death. It is a key link between thoughts, emotions and movement.
Lastly
Oh, before we close, exercise balances hormones, boosting testosterone and growth hormone and balancing those swings between oestrogen and progesterone.
So absolutely YES, it is well worth considering a 20- to 30-minute walk a day. In fact, even 4,000 steps a day have a positive impact on your brain. Take up a racket sport, maybe Padel, because people of all ages can hit a ball or two or three. Do some resistance training at home (bands are inexpensive, and you don’t need a host of props).
You were born to move humans and it is super important if you wish to live optimally.
“Exercise is medicine. Literally. Just like a pill, it reliably changes brain function by altering the brain chemicals and hormones” – Stephen S Hardy.
Off course if optimal living is not for you, # delete all of the above 🙂.