Hi Ava, you can find a great deal of initial info about acid vs alkaline diets online via google - I find, though, some of the info contradicts from one site to another (ie lists of what foods are acid forming). I have been following the Thrive Diet (book) principles partly because I also use Vega products which were developed by the author. Here is a starter article on MYO: http://www.myyogaonline.com/healthy-living/nutrition/nutrition-basics-acid-and-alkaline-abcs/p1
By an expert about a year ago in Montreal, CA
I moved to very rural New Mexico from New York City about 2.5 years
ago. The closest yoga studio is over 100 miles away. I started
taking classes with My Yoga Online several months ago and...
drmiranda
Hello Ava,
Great question! Hormones work together in a very intricate dance to regulate our physiology, and upsetting the balance of one will have ripple effects throughout the system. Hormones have natural variation and fluctuations throughout the day. For example, as the day darkens and turns to night, the pineal gland, also referred to as the third eye, begins the conversion of serotonin into melatonin which regulates our sleep cycle. Melatonin production begins between 9-11pm, and peaks by 2-3am which is why the hours before midnight are considered more valuable for sleep than going to bed after midnight: to maximize melatonin production and have refreshing sleep. Using artificial light to stay up beyond the natural rhythms of the day and of our bodies decreases the amount of melatonin produced. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant, and also helps to lower cortisol levels making it an essential part of our nightly repair and rejuvenation while we sleep.
Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It is absolutely essential and necessary for survival, and levels naturally increase as we sleep peaking at 6-8am when it is time to rise, and then slowly drop off again throughout the day. Unfortunately, prolonged stress, which is so common in our society, can lead to changes in both levels and timing of cortisol release. Cortisol is concerned with immediate survival and as such one of its many actions is to convert protein into glucose (the only fuel the brain wants) leading to muscle wasting and changes in blood sugar regulation. The "spare tire" distribution of excess weight is commonly related to poor blood sugar maintenance, often from chronic stress via cortisol imbalance. I have seen many people in practice who, when we test their cortisol levels throughout the day, show a spike in the evening. Needless to say, they inevitably have other symptoms of hormonal imbalance including irregular menses, low libido, altered thyroid function, changes in weight and muscle mass, poor sleep, and fatigue (except at night when they thrive on their "second wind").
I could go on and on for other adrenal hormones, thyroid hormones, sex hormones, growth hormones, etc. but to stay focused on your question, suffice it to say that sleep itself, and our daily circadian rhythm is regulated by hormones. Altering the rhythms, levels, effects, and response to one or two hormones in our bodies ultimately affects all of the hormones in one way or another, as they work in conjunction to maintain physiological balance within the body. Each gland in the endocrine system serves multiple functions and releases a variety of hormones at various times under varying conditions. If one gland is overactive or underactive that will cause the other glands to shift according and hormone levels to change. It's like a symphony, in which the strings, horns, woodwinds, and percussion must be in balance for the music to be beautiful and harmonious. If the horns drown out the woodwinds, and the strings play in a different key, the whole piece is altered.
So health, weight management, and fatigue aren't solely a case of "not enough sleep". It is also a matter of the timing and quality of sleep, as well as good nutrition, regular activity, sunlight exposure during the day and pitch-black surroundings at night, good stress management techniques, breathing, and hydration.
Let me know if you have further questions. I hope this helps! Dr. Demierre
By an expert about a year ago in Vancouver, CA
strawberry
Hi Dr. Demmierre,
This is a huge help! Thank-you so much for time.
Namaste,
Ava
about a year ago