Metabolism and Health

26/08/2025

I'm happy to share that our quiet side quest for the last 2 years - building a program that combines recovery principles with brain-supportive nutrition - just hit #1 New Release in Ketogenic Diets on Amazon.

'12 Step Keto' addresses both the psychological and metabolic sides of addiction recovery. More to come!

🙌

11/03/2024

Did you know that the proteins in your diet do more than just build muscles? They are essential warriors in your body's antioxidant defense system.

↳They play a pivotal role in producing glutathione, the 'master antioxidant' that shields your cells against oxidative damage.
↳They contribute to the synthesis and function of enzymes crucial for robust antioxidant defense.

Discover the full story of how proteins enhance your antioxidant defenses in my newest blog post! Link in bio.

01/12/2023

Are you struggling with overeating in a world of endless food choices? In my new blog post, learn about the evolutionary cues that guide our sense of fullness and how today's diet can confuse them. https://www.metabolismandhealth.com/blog

10/11/2023

Are you aware of the negative metabolic effects of consuming too much fructose but believe that starchy foods are harmless or even healthy? Then, this blog post is for you! Dive in and discover the surprising links between your diet and internal sugar conversion processes. Get ready to re-evaluate everything you thought you knew about 'healthy' carbohydrates! https://www.metabolismandhealth.com/blog

07/11/2023

Did you know, that the astrocytes in your brain can MAKE ketones?

I have often heard people referring to ketones as “toxic” to the brain. I think that is a very unfortunate misconception.
In contrast to that, I believe that ketones are essential for optimal brain health.

The brain:
1. actively transports ketones through the blood-brain-barrier
2. produces ketones in astrocytes

Let’s dig a little deeper.

While it is well known that the liver is a dominant source of ketone bodies and that these ketones are transported through the blood-brain barrier and serve as energy substrates in the brain next to glucose, a less-known fact is that the brain itself can produce ketones.

Astrocytes in the brain have the unique ability to absorb, create, and release β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). They make BHB by breaking down fatty acids in a multi-step process. This BHB is then used by brain cells to make ATP, the energy currency of the cell.

Beyond energy, ketone bodies are also substrates for the production of brain lipids, like the ones in myelin, which insulates nerve fibers. Furthermore, ketone bodies protect myelin-forming cells (oligodendrocytes) and reduce axonal damage.

Ketone bodies can also act as posttranslational modification proteins to activate intracellular signaling pathways, playing a role in how brain cells communicate and respond to activity.

Some studies suggest that ketone bodies are important for brain cell communication and that neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) can make astrocytes produce more ketone bodies. Glutamate, a neurotransmitter, can boost the production of ketone bodies in astrocytes.

Finally, ketone bodies may influence how brain cells fire by opening ATP-sensitive calcium channels. This ability to control brain cell activity could be why diets high in ketones can help with epilepsy and other brain conditions.

Therefore, dismissing ketones as merely toxic is to overlook their profound role in brain health and their potential as a critical player in neurological resilience and treatment.

At least in my opinion! What do you think?

02/11/2023

Cortisol is essential for life, but chronically elevated levels can lead to trouble, such as high abdominal fat, poor sleep, and loss of proteins (muscles, hair, skin, collagen, bones).

Eat higher protein, lower carb, value relaxation and your peace of mind, and learn more in my newest blog post! https://www.metabolismandhealth.com/blog

18/10/2023

Often, we think or feel like we need to eat sweets to fuel our brains. But while glucose is an essential energy source for the brain, is more glucose always better?

Read about the role of the blood-brain barrier in hyperglycemia in the brain’s energy supply and how it protects the brain from excess sugar in my newest blog post here: https://www.metabolismandhealth.com/blog

07/09/2023

→ Read my blog to learn more! https://www.metabolismandhealth.com/blog
Liver cells and kidney cortical cells are the largest glucose producers, but they are not the only ones! Interestingly, intestinal cells, brain astrocytes, and muscle cells can produce glucose as well.

Though only contributing a small amount to the overall glucose production, intestinal gluconeogenesis still holds importance as it helps modulate the activity of gluconeogenesis occurring in the liver, a regulation facilitated through a complex neurohormonal feedback system involving the portal vein and central nervous system.

Moreover, gluconeogenesis within brain astrocytes is predominantly directed towards nourishing adjacent cells rather than contributing to the systemic glucose pool.

Likewise, the skeletal muscles mainly utilize gluconeogenesis post-exercise to restore their own intracellular glycogen reserves rather than supplying glucose for broader bodily functions.

05/09/2023

Dietary carbohydrates aren't the only source of glucose for your body! Journey through the metabolic pathways that fuel your body from everyday life to elite athletic performance in my latest blog. You’ll be amazed to learn which tissues, beyond the liver, are at work!

A blog on human nutrition and physiology: how to optimize health, improve insulin sensitivity, deal with carb addiction, and more. Newest science summarized, with straightforward and accessible explanations on physiology and nutrition.

31/08/2023

The brain is highly enriched in cholesterol, which is essential for various neural functions. Cholesterol is vital for the formation of the myelin sheath around neurons and is a component of cell membranes, affecting their fluidity and functioning. Due to the blood-brain barrier, which strictly regulates the substances that can pass from the bloodstream into the brain, cholesterol in the brain is largely separated from cholesterol in the rest of the body.

The majority of cholesterol in the brain is produced by specialized glial cells, including both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.
→ Astrocytes synthesize cholesterol and export it to neurons, where it plays essential roles in synapse formation and function.
→ Oligodendrocytes, are primarily responsible for forming the myelin sheath that insulates neurons.

⚡️Cholesterol isn't just a molecule to be wary of; it is indispensable for our body's proper functioning, especially within the complex neural networks of the brain! 🧠
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If you like my content, check out my book, FOOD FOR HEALTH 📚 Link in bio! 🔗

30/08/2023

Resistance training offers a multitude of benefits beyond just aesthetics!
Here's a closer look at the critical health benefits it offers:

BOOSTS METABOLIC RATE
Muscles are metabolically active tissues, meaning they require energy even at rest. By increasing muscle mass through resistance training, you naturally increase your resting metabolic rate. This means you'll burn more calories even when you're not exercising, making weight management and fat loss more efficient.

PROTECTIVE FUNCTIONS OF MUSCLE
Muscle mass has several crucial roles in promoting health span (the period of life spent in good health) and longevity:

→ Physical Strength and Independence: Strong muscles are key to maintaining functional abilities as we age, allowing for independence and a higher quality of life.
→ Bone Health: Resistance training stimulates bone formation, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
→ Metabolic Health: Muscles play a significant role in glucose metabolism, helping to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
→ Protection against Chronic Diseases: Higher muscle mass has been associated with improved inflammatory profiles and reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
→ Improved Mental Health: Resistance training has been linked to reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety and improved cognitive function.

In short, resistance training is a powerful tool to increase metabolic efficiency, maintain physical and metabolic health, and even extend the period of life spent in good health. Embracing a routine that includes resistance exercises can be a game-changer for your overall well-being and longevity.
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If you like my content, check out my book, FOOD FOR HEALTH 📚 Link in bio! 🔗

29/08/2023

You may be envious of that friend who can eat anything and not gain weight, but should you be? Discover why metabolic health is about more than just the number on the scale. https://www.metabolismandhealth.com/blog

Find inspiration and information for changing your nutrition and optimizing your health.