Taking time to think through what is truly important to us is foundational in the change process, because is gives us a lens to evaluate our choices and the intrinsic motivation for meaningful actions!
In less than ten years I ran 21 marathons. On top of enjoying the running friendships and fun destination marathons, I was convinced that the health benefits were undeniable. Then I started to hear about “the bell curve” in exercise. Clearly being a couch potato was bad for my health, but could excess exercise be equally dangerous?!?
Back a number of years ago an ER doc we were having dinner with informed me that all taking magnesium had to offer me was diarrhea. Since then I have learned a few things… ER doctors might not be my best source of nutritional advice, and not only will it get rid of my muscle twitches during marathon training, but there is a lot of research to support its importance to our overall health.
Beyond my increased tolerance for running in the summer heat, there are incredible benefits to spending time in the sauna. In fact, there is a study that shows a 40% decrease in all-case mortality!!
The curcumin extract (yellow pigment) is its most studied active ingredient with over 9000 publications pointing to its expansive therapeutic value. Even though scientist do not fully understand the mechanism, lab studies have identified some key reason to consider adding turmeric to our routines.
Earlier this year a study published in JAMA concluded that coffee drinking reduced mortality (even for those drinking 8 or more cups/day and those with a genetic mutation that impacts the rate of caffeine metabolism). According to these finding, it didn't matter whether we are drinking decaf or regular, both are beneficial. Yahoo for coffee!
You may have heard the recommendations to breastfeed, don’t smoke, be cautious with hormone replacement, and avoid stress (anyone else feel stressed just by being told stress is dangerous?!). They all are valid, but what else is there? Are there small changes that might have the biggest results (more on the 80/20 Principle here)?
Yes! Cell-cannibalism, called autophagy, has huge health benefits. Also described as a recycling process, autophagy, is more than just a fun word to toss around!