Biochemical Individuality
In 1956, Roger Williams, a famous biochemist, published a book entitled Biochemical Individuality. This unique and highly respected book outlined many of the anatomical variations that exist within each of us. For example, Williams revealed that there are variances in size, shape, location, and capacity of virtually all of our internal organs. He showed that these is a tremendous difference in metabolic rate from one person to the next, even from as early as two years of age. He found wide variations in water content and in oxygen carrying capacity of the blood from one person to the next. In sum, just as we all look different on the outside, we also function differently on the inside and have different nutritional needs (Williams, 1956).
Characteristics of An Optimal diet
In the early 1930's, Weston Price traveled the globe searching for the relationship between health and diet among indigenous peoples, untouched by modern civilization. As documented in his book, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Price extensively compared the health of natives who deviated from their natural diets to those who continued with their dietary traditions. Price evaluated 16 diverse cultures, all of which varied greatly depending on their geographical location and availability of resources. Some groups, such as the Inuit, consumed larger proportions of fats and protein, while other groups, such as the Quetchus Indians of South America, consumed primarily pant-based foods. In colder regions, diets were largely void of plant foods, while other regions contained large amounts of seasonal fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes.
All of the diets shared several underlying characteristics - all contained organic foods, whole foods (minimally processed, if at all), and animal products.
All of the diets shared several underlying characteristics - all contained organic foods, whole foods (minimally processed, if at all), and animal products.
8, 12 & 6: Eat Three Meals a Day
Depending on the health-related goal, some people may not agree with this concept. Some may say that three meals is not enough and snacks are a must-need, others may say the day should entail more fasting. When it comes to achieving the best level of wellness and longevity, not athletic performance, it is advised to eat, and never skip, three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Some of the benefits of eating three meals a day include:
Some of the benefits of eating three meals a day include:
- Burns More Body Fat
By eating, let's say breakfast, at 8 o'clock in the morning, your blood sugar will rise in response to your meal, as expected. By waiting to eat until, let's say noon or so, for lunch to come around, your blood sugar will drop between the two meals. This drop in blood sugar signals the body to tap into adipose tissue and burn fat rather than the glucose in your blood. - Increase Energy
The gastrointestinal system and accessory organs have three important functions: digestion, absorption, and egestion - all of which require energy. About a third, 30 percent, of all the energy in your body is diverted to digestion. The less feedings that occur, which equates to less energy required by the GI tract, results in more energy that can be used by the rest of the body. Food sensitivities represent a caveat to this benefit - assure the foods consumed do not invoke an auto-immune response. - Convenience
By eating three, rather than five or six, meals a day, less planning, cooking, time, and money are required for your daily eating habits. Food doesn't have to become your whole life, as seen in many athletic individuals who eat constantly throughout the day. - Free Radical Reduction
As alluded to earlier, consuming, digesting, absorbing, and eliminating food, like all processes of homeostasis requires energy, which consequently also produces free radicals, leading to free radical damage. Free radical production is a by-product of being alive. By inserting hours of time between meals, blood sugar is allowed to drop and the body is provided an opportunity to clean up the free radicals, with the help of antioxidants, from the previous feeding. - Hunger Hormone Modulation
It is okay, and even healthy, to be hungry between meals. With the helps of hormones, the feeling of hunger has a domino-like effect and triggers a cascade of metabolic responses, preparing the body for the next meal.
References
Williams, R. (1956). Biochemical Individuality: The Basis for the Genetrophic Concept. Keats
