Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Many of us are well aware of what foods we should be eating and what foods we should avoid, but what many Americans don’t know is that when you’re eating is just as important as what you’re eating.
According to the American Heart Association, 47 million Americans are at risk of developing moderate to severe metabolic disorders due to risk factors including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and increased belly fat. When several risk factors align, physicians refer to the cluster of symptoms as metabolic syndrome.
Individually, each of these risk factors comes with its own set of problems; however when two or more conditions exist simultaneously, the risk of heart attack and stroke and the chance of developing diabetes increases dramatically.
In addition to adhering to a diet that sustains healthy cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar levels, it’s important to understand that binge eating – of any kind – should be avoided at all costs – this includes the healthy stuff too!
Our bodies have a natural biological time clock, often referred to as the circadian clock. When we eat varied portions at sporadic intervals throughout the day, our circadian clock can’t achieve regularity. This “clock” helps the body regulate the metabolism, making it easier to shed unwanted fat, build lean muscle mass and makes it possible to avoid many if not all of the risk factors associated with malnutrition and metabolic failure.
Recent studies have revealed a link between late-night snacking and the onset of pre-diabetes and other metabolic-related disorders. When our metabolism is functioning optimally, sugars are broken down almost immediately following a meal. Irregular eating habits inhibit the “normal” metabolic process and make it more difficult for the body’s enzymes to break down materials.
When we eat meals at clearly defined intervals (i.e. no food between 8pm-8am) we help to reset our circadian clock. Once our body recognizes this routine, the metabolism is able to function at an optimal level.