Category Archives: Balance

Over-Simplifying Ray Peat

Posted on by
2

If you’re familiar with some of my previous physical-health-related posts you may have picked up on what I’m for or against. Much of my current health stance stems off of the work of Dr. Raymond Peat, his research via Hans Seyle & Gilbert Ling, and Peat’s blogging army of Josh Rubin, Matt Stone, Danny Roddy, Rob Turner, Tracie Hittman, & C02 Factor (to name a few). For the sake of getting-to-know-the-basics, below is a short-summary of Peat’s stance via Chris Rosenfelt, a Peat-a-tarian, as Roddy boasts…

“Dr. Peat believes that energy and structure are interdependent, therefore providing proper oxidative energy to the simplest, smallest unit of living matter, the cell. Cells form tissues, tissues form organs and organs form the human body, obviously this is in its very simplistic form but if you take care and provide the proper nutrients/energy to the cell then it should have a “ripple effect” throughout the organism.

So Dr. Peat’s philosophy is just about maintaining proper oxidative energy through the use of protective hormones and elements such as thyroid, pregnenolone, progesterone, testosterone, carbon dioxide, glucose, saturated fats and not letting the potentially negative hormones and elements (if chronically activated) like cortisol, adrenaline, estrogen, PUFA’s, ACTH, lactic acid, carbon monoxide, parathyroid, prolactin, TSH, protein kinase C, etc… get out of control in the body.”

What does this all mean [without context]?

Peat approaches health by breaking the body down into its simplest form: a cell. Providing a cell with the appropriate energy (fuel/nutrient-dense food) and the appropriate environment (pro-anabolic hormone, anti-stress hormone, excreting bacterial endotoxin, eating anti-inflammatory foods) will encourage the tissues, organs, muscles, bones, and blood (which are all made up of cells) to follow suit (hence the ripple effect). Sounds pretty simple, huh?!

Peat researches hormones and how diet/lifestyle can either help or hinder their appropriate release. I suggest starting with Roddy’s blog to get a general idea of what Peat promotes.

Regarding any diet changes or implementation – do your own research, figure out what works for you in the interim AND long run (the long run is HUGE), and consult a trained professional.

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com

Is a scale a good measurement of health?

Posted on by
3

A scale measures weight, not health. What does body weight actually tell us? It is no more than a number that tends to do more mental damage than good. When body weight is measured it cannot be broken down into what is what - i.e. water, blood, organs, muscle, fat, bones, bacteria, food, and fecal matter. How can a scale provide true measurements of water content, cell count, muscle to fat ratio, bone density, intestinal bacteria ratio and weight, digested vs undigested food, and, essentially, metabolic rate (thyroid regulation)? It can’t!

Furthermore, body weight can fluctuate so easily due to meals (size, type, frequency, nutritional value), elimination patterns (going regularly or constipated), metabolic rate (how efficient a meal is used for energy and the body’s hormonal response), water intake (depletion or retention), exercise routines, movement frequency, life stressors, and sleep patterns.

So, a scale cannot measure what’s going on the inside and it cannot provide insight into one’s lifestyle pros or cons. Yet, there are plenty of people out there that live and die over their daily to weekly weight measurements thinking that it is a true progression of health. It’s understandable that body weight gives a sense of progress and allows for goals to be established, but come on – there’s gotta be a better, more telling way!

  • How about measuring how good we feel on the inside?
  • How about measuring how happy we are compared to how sad we may be? And why!
  • How about taking note of our food, hydration, and elimination patterns, and putting it all into perspective as to what helps or hinders?
  • How about observing our energy levels throughout the day regarding our activities, meals, and sleeping patterns?
  • How about recording a lifestyle journal for a desired length of time to truly gain perspective of what works and doesn’t work for YOU?

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com

How to balance life’s priorities

Posted on by
2

Life can get crazy. It happens when we have to balance work, school, family, relationships, social events, exercise, diet, hydration, sleep, me time, and the list goes on. The best approach to prioritizing is to make your priorities… a priority.

  • Below you will find a wheel with 15 spokes and 5 circles
  • Each end of a spoke represents your priorities in life
  • Each wheel represents the attention that you provide each priority on a daily basis (some may be weekly or monthly)
  • Write a priority above each spoke
  • Rate the priority by the attention it receives with a dot at the intersection point of a specific spoke and affiliated circle
  • Inner Circle = Least attention, Outer Circle = Most attention
  • Draw a line to connect each dot – does it make a [somewhat] rounded circle?
  • A wheel cannot turn fluidly unless all of its spokes are well-taken care of, straight, and balanced
  • This will help put your current life into perspective
  • This will help you become aware of what needs more attention than others

The above diagram is a generalized example. Notice how all of the spokes are not balanced and the wheel cannot turn fluidly? Now you try…

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com

Define: Calories

Posted on by
3

A Calorie is Measured Unit of Energy 

Fat provides 9 units of energy while Protein and Carbohydrates each provide 4 units of energy. Keeping that in mind let’s take a gander at the USDA’s daily requirements for caloric intake: 2,000 calories per day. Alright, so if I want to follow a 2,000 calorie diet then what do I eat? I can eat 50 Twizzlers at 160 calories per 4 pieces to get my 2,000-calorie goal. This breaks down to 6.3 grams of Fat, 450 grams of Carbohydrates, and 12.5 grams of Protein. See where my extreme example is going here?

No two Calories or alike

The body does not digest or use calories in the same manner. Do you think the body uses the same energy to digest 100 calories of Carbohydrates than it does 100 calories of Fat? Of course not! Not only that, but there are so many different variations of Fats, Proteins, Carbohydrates, Vitamins, and Minerals that must be considered when dissecting how the body uses 100 calories.

Calories in =/= Calories out

Your body burns about 50-70% of its daily calories generating energy, heat, and that thing we call life. 5-15% more are burned just for digestion. Ok, so let’s take that from the top and say your body burns 85% of its calories just to keep the lights on. That leaves only 15% left to exercise, be social, stress out, or to sit on the computer all day. Cutting calories to lose weight can actually make a person gain unwanted weight because the restriction deprives the body of necessary energy to maintain homeostasis. When the body is deficient in calories (energy), it will turns to muscle for energy (after all of its stored sugar is used up (this takes about 3-4 weeks, which is why low-carb diets “work” and then hit a big old wall). Remember that muscle weighs more than fat, and those who are losing weight on calorie-deficient diets are mainly losing muscle mass and their body is replacing that muscle with fat because fat storage is its go-to in survival mode. So, it’s very possible that all of these people that are dieting and losing weight are actually getting fatter (“fat” doesn’t always mean bigger). In order to run efficiently the body needs an excess caloric intake compared to what it is burning on a daily basis. Don’t ignore your body when it tells you to eat.

The result of eating a low-calorie diet is simple: Adaptation

The body will adapt to the lower volume of foods by slowing down its metabolism, (which sends the thyroid into S.O.S.), it will eat itself, and it will cut corners so it can get by. Often these corners come out as unintentional weight loss, unintentional weight gain, an emotional roller coaster, easily susceptible to stress, mental fogginess, digestive issues, dis-eases, disorders, low libido/sex drive, vitamin deficiencies, poor gum/dental health, dysbiosis, candida overgrowth/yeast infections, or a person might be a straight up asshole (I’m serious – ever get cranky the longer you go hungry?). By this point calories or food intake are rarely the problem – it’s a lack of responsibility for oneself and an inability to see the self-sabotage.

In conclusion

  • Count your nutrients, not your calories.
  • Eat a lot of calories.
  • Eat a lot of good calories – nutrient-dense calories.
  • Take responsibility for yourself and how you treat your body.
  • Be grateful for your life, provide it accordingly, and it will return the same.

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com

Don’t ever say that you can’t

Posted on by
1

via

Can’t is temporary.

I’ve fallen victim to “can’t.” I’m sure we all have at some point. It’s hard to see the big picture when we limit ourselves to what was or what isn’t.

We must focus on what we can do as necessary steps towards what we truly desire. The man in the above video could not walk unassisted, he could not touch his feet, he could not fit into smaller clothes, he could not be happy with himself, he self-sabotaged with food and believed his limits were factual. His perspective shift didn’t happen over night, but he found a way to inspire and love himself through the inspiration and love of others. He focused on what he could do (or was capable of) in the present moment. He took small steps to better himself and to be happy with himself. He didn’t give himself a time limit. He didn’t place unrealistic expectations. I’m sure he experienced set backs and frustrations, but he focused on the big picture and not what he was temporarily experiencing.

Do not doubt yourself or others. Always give the benefit.

Believe and have faith in yourself. Believe and have faith in others.

We can truly do anything.

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com

Question: Where can I find local organics?

Posted on by
1

Since you know the Philly area, is/are there specific place(s) you suggest I do my grocery shopping? 

Here are a few tips that anyone can use to find quality food in their respective locations…


http://www.eatwild.com
 – Here, you can find all local grass-fed meat, dairy, and pastured egg sources. The website allows you to search by state and local area by zooming in on the pin-pointed map. It provides locations, product info, and contact info for farms, grocery stores, and things of the like.


http://www.localharvest.com
 – This site provides all of the above for local organic food sources: Online Stores, Farms, CSA’s, Co-Ops, Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Wholesale outlets, and Farmer’s Markets.

For those who travel, I managed to MacGuyver this way of finding organics while on the road: Google Map search on my iPhone (this can be done a computer, too) a group of key words before or when I arrive in a different city/area. My searches include: Organic, Grocery, Market, Co-op, Farm, Local, Vegetarian, Vegan, Health, Holistic, Whole Foods, or Trader Joe’s. Although I’m not a Vegan, if a Vegan place was nearby I’d walk to and inquire if they knew of any other “health” locations in the area that were more up my alley. It’s always possible to find quality, organic food no matter where you are or where you’re from. For example, while I was on tour with my band we had a show in Toronto. Through a Google Map search I was able to find a Co-op that was 2 miles from the venue we were performing at that night (we were only in town for one night). We got into town early and I walked the 4-mile round trip to the Co-op so I could get a good meal for the night and purchase food for the next day, too. Yes, that’s a bit much, but it’s an example of how it’s certainly possible to find organic food just about anywhere; it just takes a little creative effort and an understanding of the value that quality, organic food bring to life.

As for Philly, I highly recommend Birchwood Dairy Farms in Newtown, PA. They sell high-quality raw milk, raw cheese, raw butter, pastured eggs, grass-fed meats, fresh juice, homemade ice cream, and much more.

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com

What is Ego?

Posted on by
Reply
  • The Ego is the opposite of your real Self.
  • The Ego is not you.
  • The Ego is the deception created by the society so that you can go on playing with the toy and never ask about the real thing.
  • Unless you drop the Ego, you’ll never come to know your true Self.
  • When you were born you had your authentic Self then [society] started creating a false Self.
    • You are Christian. You are Catholic. You are white. You are black. You are German. You are Irish. You are the chosen race of God. You are supposed to rule over the world. 
  • [Society] creates a false idea of who you are – they give you a name and around the name they create ambitions, conditionings, and rules to bind by.
  • It takes 1/3 of your life working on your Ego – school.
  • By the time you come back from University you have forgotten your innocent being – you are now a very big Ego – “now, you are ready to go into the world” as if the world doesn’t being when we are born.
    • This Ego has all the desires and ambitions. It wants to always be on the top of everything. It never allows you even a glimpse of your real, authentic Self.
  • The Ego only produces misery, suffering, fighting, frustration, madness, martyrdom, crime, loneliness, running, pushing, confusion, misunderstanding, selfishness.
  • A seeker of truth has to begin from this very point – whatever you have been told by society must be discarded.
  • Nobody can know who you are except for yourself – not your parents, teachers, priests, friends, or loved ones.
  • Except for yourself, nobody can enter in the privacy of your Being.
  • Nobody knows about you – whatever is said is all wrong – put it aside.
  • Dismantle the Ego – in destroying the Ego you will discover your Being.
  • The discovery of your Being is the greatest discovery possible – it starts a totally new pilgrammage towards ultimate bliss, towards eternal life.
  • You can choose frustration, suffering, misery – go on holding the Ego, nursing it.
  • Choose silence and bliss, and recover your innocence.

[via]

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com

Question: Communication?

Posted on by
Reply

I received this question tonight (Thursday, the 26th) and since it seems like a time-is-of-the-essence situation, I decided to push back my other queued posts and give this Friday’s spotlight…

What would you do if you had a very irresponsible, self-centered roommate? One that does not take his/her part in chores and cleaning. It is almost the end of the semester and we have not spoken for quite a long time now, mostly because of this behavior. Is it too late to say something? I know I should’ve said something earlier, but you know, life happens and now we’re getting ready to leave.

Perspective:

Irresponsibility or self-ceneteredness are merely symptoms of a bigger cause… and those are only your experiences of your roommate – not the definition of your roommate. It is unfair of you to label your roommate just based on your experience of him/her without knowing his/her true self or personal battles. Yes, it is also unfair to you if they are being selfish and do not contribute to the understood equal partnership of living together, but consider that he/she may have a very good personal reason as to why they only seem to care about themselves, why they are introverted, or why they have placed barriers between themselves and the world around them.

What’s the true issue here?

Communication… or a lack thereof.

Communication is an important part of any relationship.

Communication can provide a continuous exchange of ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotions, wants, and needs – that exchange is positive. You will not always agree with one another, but the experience of talking will encourage you to understand one another and move forward to better the relationship.

Silence can encourage barriers, [unrealistic] expectations, assumptions, judgements, and can bring a negative energy to a relationship (or even a room).

You are experiencing a misunderstanding and the best way to understand one another is to talk. I don’t necessarily mean to talk about it, but to just… talk.

The chores are a symptom of a bigger cause of not talking to one another or misunderstanding one another.

  • Lead by example.
  • Create small talk.
  • Show him/her your trust, your openness, your friendliness, your forgiveness, and your acceptance by merely taking an interest in their life, sharing experiences of your own life, and encouraging them to be a part of yours.
  • Be friendly, not over-bearing.
  • Be patient, not pushy.
  • Be open, not expecting.
  • Trust that what you give you will receive in return.
  • Walls will never exist in a relationship if no one has a reason to build them.

After some time, if your roommate does not want to communicate nor involve themselves in genuine, open conversation then I would suggest that you move on with your efforts. It may be hard, but it’ll be for the best. Everyone is traveling along on their own path and on their own time doing the best that they can, and sometimes we just have to leave people to be and do things their way. We can only hope that those who are lost amongst their inner battles will come around to find themselves one day.

All that you can ask of yourself is that you do your best and that you are genuine.

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com

How Vitamins Were Born

Posted on by
Reply

During the Second World War 49-51% of men failed their physical entrance exam into the Armed Services. Both the English and the American governments undertook an investigation to understand why these who-looked-to-be-healthy teenage to young adult men could not perform such routine physical activities.

The United States hired the Mayo Clinic to conduct their investigation. One area that the Clinic looked was the diet of the failed men. At the time the food and grain industry were booming – food processing, bleaching, hydrogenating, bottling, and canning were all making names for themselves due to the war’s demands. However, that very same processing was also stripping the food of its vital nutrients… i.e. vitamins. The investigation actually encouraged some of the first vitamins to ever be identified, specifically B Vitamins. In controlled tests, when those vitamins were isolated and placed back into the soldier’s diet in food-grade pill form there was a significant improvement in their work ability, in their increased work load, and also in their mental clarity.

The US Government attempted to pass a law requiring food manufactures to fortify foods with vitamins (aka vita-lity). In rebuttal, the American Medical Association threatened to sue to Government for practicing medicine without a license, stating that the Government wasn’t qualified to tell people that nutrient-void food can cause dis-ease. After some back and forth the two entities settled on a law that only fortified two foods: Milk and Bread – that law still stands today. However, the vitamins used to fortify these two diet staples are not actually real – they’re laboratory-made, artificial, and synthetic versions of the vitamins found in nature (or that can be found in food BEFORE it’s processed, stripped, or bleached).

The major problem with using Synthetic Vitamins is that the body cannot properly digest, absorb, or utilize their properties as they’re intended. Dead Foods such as Synthetic Vitamins actually cause the body work harder to figure out what the heck it can do with the things, thus expending more energy, time, and effort to do a simple task of digesting.

Any food/drink that is Fortified With or has ingredients Added To will do more harm than good – they’re artificial and yield damaged food molecules. 

Any Vitamin found in a store that’s not Pharmaceutical Grade will tend to be Synthetic and can also be laced with unwanted fillers: aluminum, lead, corn, soy, sweeteners, and other toxic chemicals. 

via

jdperryhealth.com
jdperryhealth.tumblr.com
jdperryhealth@gmail.com