Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 Has anyone read the book " The Circadian Prescription: Get in step with your body’s natural rhythms to maximize energy, vitality, and longevity " ? I haven't, but I just read some information about it and I would like to know more. My local library has it listed, but it is currently checked out. For instance I would like to know more about the following: " For alertness and daytime activities our bodies need protein, properly broken down into appropriate amino acids. On the other hand, for energy during sleep in order to repair our tissues and to detoxify and eliminate the wastes from our metabolism, we do need some carbohydrate. NOHA Honorary Member Sidney M. Baker, MD, explains that usually in our culture people eat concentrated starches and sugars (carbohydrates) for breakfast and lunch, saving their main consumption of protein for dinner in the evening. These daily actions result in timing that is exactly opposite to our requirements for excellent functioning and health. He points out that carbohydrates are needed at night for the tremendous amount of activity—repair and waste disposal, which takes place when we are asleep. Most people have it backwards, believing that you need carbohydrates for daytime energy and not so much at night, when you are resting. But you’re not really resting. While your muscles and brain do slow down in their use of energy at night, your whole body is doing healing and repair work, and your liver is involved in detoxification. In fact, one of the key reasons you sleep at night is that your body is so engaged with energy-consuming chores that is doesn’t have enough resources to keep consciousness, biochemical replenishment, and detoxification all going at once. . . . You might wonder why you can go all night without eating when if you did the same thing during the day, you’d become hungry. While you sleep, when your muscles and brain consume less energy, and the rest of your body is engaged in repair, healing, and detoxification, your body maintains a high level of sugar in the blood. The sustained sweetness of your blood at night is your body’s way of delivering the sun’s energy to your liver and all the other organs. " I am trying to figure out if there is any useful information here and what if anything I should do differently. Right now I have protein at all 3 meals, and I do try to make sure breakfast is the biggest meal both in terms of protein and starchy carbs (sweet potato). Most of the carbs I have later in the day are usually from fruit or pineapple juice, usually 30 minutes or so before lunch and dinner. I try not to snack much, if any, after dinner. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 Hi Don - I am sure the book has great info in it, but once again fails to acknowledge that we are not the same. Btw, how much fat are you consuming? ABO Specifics Inc. - http://www.foodforyourblood.com When to eat carbs? Has anyone read the book " The Circadian Prescription: Get in step with your body's natural rhythms to maximize energy, vitality, and longevity " ? I haven't, but I just read some information about it and I would like to know more. My local library has it listed, but it is currently checked out. For instance I would like to know more about the following: " For alertness and daytime activities our bodies need protein, properly broken down into appropriate amino acids. On the other hand, for energy during sleep in order to repair our tissues and to detoxify and eliminate the wastes from our metabolism, we do need some carbohydrate. NOHA Honorary Member Sidney M. Baker, MD, explains that usually in our culture people eat concentrated starches and sugars (carbohydrates) for breakfast and lunch, saving their main consumption of protein for dinner in the evening. These daily actions result in timing that is exactly opposite to our requirements for excellent functioning and health. He points out that carbohydrates are needed at night for the tremendous amount of activity-repair and waste disposal, which takes place when we are asleep. Most people have it backwards, believing that you need carbohydrates for daytime energy and not so much at night, when you are resting. But you're not really resting. While your muscles and brain do slow down in their use of energy at night, your whole body is doing healing and repair work, and your liver is involved in detoxification. In fact, one of the key reasons you sleep at night is that your body is so engaged with energy-consuming chores that is doesn't have enough resources to keep consciousness, biochemical replenishment, and detoxification all going at once. . . . You might wonder why you can go all night without eating when if you did the same thing during the day, you'd become hungry. While you sleep, when your muscles and brain consume less energy, and the rest of your body is engaged in repair, healing, and detoxification, your body maintains a high level of sugar in the blood. The sustained sweetness of your blood at night is your body's way of delivering the sun's energy to your liver and all the other organs. " I am trying to figure out if there is any useful information here and what if anything I should do differently. Right now I have protein at all 3 meals, and I do try to make sure breakfast is the biggest meal both in terms of protein and starchy carbs (sweet potato). Most of the carbs I have later in the day are usually from fruit or pineapple juice, usually 30 minutes or so before lunch and dinner. I try not to snack much, if any, after dinner. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 Since I believe in the BTD I obviously realize there are some things that do not apply to everyone, but I do think there are some things that probably do, like drinking enough water. Regardless of that I am just trying to find out if their might be any useful advice about carb consumption timing for me. I am still working on getting my thyroid and adrenals right. I often wonder if my adrenal issue is a rhythm issue. I did email with an author of a book on stress and cortisol over a year ago and he said he didn't believe in adrenal fatigue. He considered the problem to be a maladapted adrenal system. In other words the cortisol rhythm was out of sync. I also do occasionally have trouble waking in the middle of the night, which might be resolved my more carbs in the evening to raise my serotonin. That is one aspect of the carb timing that caught my eye, because carbs help raise serotonin. As I said in the previous message in the past year I have shifted more of my carbs to earlier in the day except for fruit before meals. This makes me wonder if I should try the reverse. I certainly can try it and see what happens. I just thought I would try to get more information about it before I try it. I didn't mention oils/fat because I was only questioning the timing of when to eat carbs. I use a lot of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil on my steamed veggies and the salad dressing I make is probably 2/3 olive oil. I do one or the other at just about every meal. I love the olive oil so much that I make sure I clean up every drop on my plate! In fact, I was wondering if a person could use too much because it seems like I eat a lot of it? I have 1-2 tbsp of flaxseed every day. I use ghee, or butter, when needed for cooking. I also eat sardines and salmon on a regular basis and with few exceptions grass fed beef or buffalo at least once a day. Don RE: When to eat carbs? Hi Don - I am sure the book has great info in it, but once again fails to acknowledge that we are not the same. Btw, how much fat are you consuming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 I have that book and enjoyed reading it. The best take-home message in it (for Os especially) is to eat protein in the mornings. I do tend to have my carbs later in the day, and on those rare occasions when I treat myself to a few extra carbs, I do so at night. Of course, all things BTD are highest in my list of priorities, all other things are loose guidelines. But it does seem to help, I don't require myself to eat carbs at any hour, but when I do, eating neutral/beneficial ones later in the evening works well for me. Some aren't able to eat anything after a certain hour, so watch out for that, as far as digestion and metabolism go. When to eat carbs? Has anyone read the book " The Circadian Prescription: Get in step with your body’s natural rhythms to maximize energy, vitality, and longevity " ? I haven't, but I just read some information about it and I would like to know more. My local library has it listed, but it is currently checked out. For instance I would like to know more about the following: " For alertness and daytime activities our bodies need protein, properly broken down into appropriate amino acids. On the other hand, for energy during sleep in order to repair our tissues and to detoxify and eliminate the wastes from our metabolism, we do need some carbohydrate. NOHA Honorary Member Sidney M. Baker, MD, explains that usually in our culture people eat concentrated starches and sugars (carbohydrates) for breakfast and lunch, saving their main consumption of protein for dinner in the evening. These daily actions result in timing that is exactly opposite to our requirements for excellent functioning and health. He points out that carbohydrates are needed at night for the tremendous amount of activity—repair and waste disposal, which takes place when we are asleep. Most people have it backwards, believing that you need carbohydrates for daytime energy and not so much at night, when you are resting. But you’re not really resting. While your muscles and brain do slow down in their use of energy at night, your whole body is doing healing and repair work, and your liver is involved in detoxification. In fact, one of the key reasons you sleep at night is that your body is so engaged with energy-consuming chores that is doesn’t have enough resources to keep consciousness, biochemical replenishment, and detoxification all going at once. . . . You might wonder why you can go all night without eating when if you did the same thing during the day, you’d become hungry. While you sleep, when your muscles and brain consume less energy, and the rest of your body is engaged in repair, healing, and detoxification, your body maintains a high level of sugar in the blood. The sustained sweetness of your blood at night is your body’s way of delivering the sun’s energy to your liver and all the other organs. " I am trying to figure out if there is any useful information here and what if anything I should do differently. Right now I have protein at all 3 meals, and I do try to make sure breakfast is the biggest meal both in terms of protein and starchy carbs (sweet potato). Most of the carbs I have later in the day are usually from fruit or pineapple juice, usually 30 minutes or so before lunch and dinner. I try not to snack much, if any, after dinner. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 This is a question I'm struggling with too. I could argue it either way. For now, I'm going with carbs in the morning and at least no starchy carbs after 5. This is based on a book for women, Fight Fat After Forty by Pamela Peeke. Very good discussion of the cortisol cycle and sympathetic/parasympathetic influences. Carbs for breakfast (along with protein/fat) Seems to be a good thing, you're breaking a fast, glycogen probably depleted, carbohydrates metabolized quickly, so give you quick energy. Protein & fats in the evening with veggies, maybe fruit Protein & fat are digested slower for sustained fuel through the night, glycogen will be mobilized to meet glucose needs as well Carbs, serotonin & sleep Try 5-HTP supplements to help with sleep, it's a precursor for tryptophan needed to make serotonin. My doc thinks serotonin imbalance not as much an issue as a lack of precursors. 5-HTP doesn't compete with other amino acids to cross the blood brain barrier so more likely to get where it needs to go. Turkey is a good protein to eat before sleeping, high in tryptophan. Natural source if you don't want to do 5-HTP. I guess you just have to see what works for you. Cheryl > Since I believe in the BTD I obviously realize there are some things that do > not apply to everyone, but I do think there are some things that probably > do, like drinking enough water. Regardless of that I am just trying to find > out if their might be any useful advice about carb consumption timing for > me. > > I am still working on getting my thyroid and adrenals right. I often wonder > if my adrenal issue is a rhythm issue. I did email with an author of a book > on stress and cortisol over a year ago and he said he didn't believe in > adrenal fatigue. He considered the problem to be a maladapted adrenal > system. In other words the cortisol rhythm was out of sync. > > I also do occasionally have trouble waking in the middle of the night, which > might be resolved my more carbs in the evening to raise my serotonin. That > is one aspect of the carb timing that caught my eye, because carbs help > raise serotonin. As I said in the previous message in the past year I have > shifted more of my carbs to earlier in the day except for fruit before > meals. This makes me wonder if I should try the reverse. I certainly can > try it and see what happens. I just thought I would try to get more > information about it before I try it. > > I didn't mention oils/fat because I was only questioning the timing of when > to eat carbs. I use a lot of extra virgin cold pressed olive oil on my > steamed veggies and the salad dressing I make is probably 2/3 olive oil. I > do one or the other at just about every meal. I love the olive oil so much > that I make sure I clean up every drop on my plate! In fact, I was > wondering if a person could use too much because it seems like I eat a lot > of it? I have 1-2 tbsp of flaxseed every day. I use ghee, or butter, when > needed for cooking. I also eat sardines and salmon on a regular basis and > with few exceptions grass fed beef or buffalo at least once a day. > > Don > > RE: When to eat carbs? > > > Hi Don - I am sure the book has great info in it, but once again fails > to acknowledge that we are not the same. > > Btw, how much fat are you consuming? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Re: When to eat carbs? This is a question I'm struggling with too. I could argue it either way. For now, I'm going with carbs in the morning and at least no starchy carbs after 5. This is based on a book for women, Fight Fat After Forty by Pamela Peeke. Very good discussion of the cortisol cycle and sympathetic/parasympathetic influences. Carbs for breakfast (along with protein/fat) Seems to be a good thing, you're breaking a fast, glycogen probably depleted, carbohydrates metabolized quickly, so give you quick energy. Protein & fats in the evening with veggies, maybe fruit Protein & fat are digested slower for sustained fuel through the night, glycogen will be mobilized to meet glucose needs as well (Don) What you described has been my understanding and what I have been doing for the past year or so. Carbs, serotonin & sleep Try 5-HTP supplements to help with sleep, it's a precursor for tryptophan needed to make serotonin. My doc thinks serotonin imbalance not as much an issue as a lack of precursors. 5-HTP doesn't compete with other amino acids to cross the blood brain barrier so more likely to get where it needs to go. Turkey is a good protein to eat before sleeping, high in tryptophan. Natural source if you don't want to do 5-HTP. (Don) have used 5-HTP at times, but I would like to tune my diet so that I don't need it, or at least not very often. Lately I have occasionally had a piece of turkey sausage before bedtime to help make serotonin. Actually, I think 5-HTP is chemically halfway between tryptophan and serotonin, not a precursor to tryptophan. I guess you just have to see what works for you. (Don) That is what I am trying to figure out ;-) Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Metabolism, as far as weight gain is concerned, has never been a problem for me. Just the opposite. If I am not careful, I can lose 5-10 lbs very quickly. Don RE: When to eat carbs? I have that book and enjoyed reading it. The best take-home message in it (for Os especially) is to eat protein in the mornings. I do tend to have my carbs later in the day, and on those rare occasions when I treat myself to a few extra carbs, I do so at night. Of course, all things BTD are highest in my list of priorities, all other things are loose guidelines. But it does seem to help, I don't require myself to eat carbs at any hour, but when I do, eating neutral/beneficial ones later in the evening works well for me. Some aren't able to eat anything after a certain hour, so watch out for that, as far as digestion and metabolism go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 > I love the olive oil so much > that I make sure I clean up every drop on my plate! Oh, I know what you mean! I just finished a liver cleanse in which I had to drink 1/2 cup of olive oil mixed with 3/4 cup fresh squeezed organic grapefruit juice. She made a big deal about drinking it with a straw and chasing it with honey to make it more palatable. I thought the concoction was delicious! -Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 Re: When to eat carbs? > I love the olive oil so much > that I make sure I clean up every drop on my plate! Oh, I know what you mean! I just finished a liver cleanse in which I had to drink 1/2 cup of olive oil mixed with 3/4 cup fresh squeezed organic grapefruit juice. She made a big deal about drinking it with a straw and chasing it with honey to make it more palatable. I thought the concoction was delicious! -Robin I had the same thoughts the first time I drank the mix. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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