Sarvesh-Talreja on Ultrahuman Blog

The Science And Risks Of Using Berberine And Metformin

Sat, 15 Oct 2022 10:58:00 +0000

Berberine has been prescribed for the same but in addition to high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol. There is a lack of scientific evidence to support its use for the treatment of many conditions, and its use as a supplement is still under examination.

Do note that Ultrahuman does not recommend or prescribe the use of any supplements or regulated drugs.

Highlights

Berberine has been reported to be prescribed by medical professionals to treat metabolic syndrome, inflammation and cancer cases.
Metformin has been prescribed by medical professionals in combination with a diet and possibly other medicines to lower blood sugar levels and regulate how the body draws energy from food.
Both berberine and metformin can impact how nutrients are transformed into energy, as well as how much energy is stored, distributed, and absorbed by cells and other organs in our body.

What is Berberine?

Berberine is a bitter-tasting, a yellow bioactive compound found in some plants, including the Oregon grape and Chinese goldthread. It has been in regular use in botanical medicine. However, recent research around it has accelerated and led to it becoming more commonly known and available.

Men’s Health Month: Why We Need to Talk About Depression and Suicide

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:19:00 +0000

Trigger Warning: Factual Content on Suicide and Depression

A World Health Organisation (WHO) fact sheet on the topic of suicide estimates that over 700,000 people lose their life to suicide each year. The number of attempted suicides is even higher. Within this startling number, there are variations based on sex, countries and other factors. Over twice as many men (12.6 per 100,000 males) die by suicide as compared to women (5.4 per 100,000 females). The global average suicide rate is 9 per 100,000 people. Suicide rates are skewed higher in men from high-income countries (16.5 per 100,000).

6 Things That Could Affect Your Longevity

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 08:05:00 +0000

Introduction

The word longevity means ‘existence for a long duration’. Applied to humans, the term implies how long a person lives. (3) Metabolism—a process of life-sustaining chemical reactions continually occurring in your body that converts what you consume into energy—impacts longevity. When certain readings or biomarkers are within a prescribed range, it implies that one is in good metabolic health, which means having ‘suitable’ levels of blood sugar and blood pressure, cholesterol and a healthy body composition. (4)

Why CRISPR Is Trending In The World Of Genetics

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 06:52:00 +0000

There is an increase in the buzzing mentions of CRISPR (Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)—a gene-editing tool developed by scientists that recently underwent a significant trial. A lot of the potential applications of CRISPR may sound superficial and fantastical and are made far too early in the life of the field’s research. Publications frequently carry pieces on the revival of extinct species or cures for cancer, the medical holy grail. This sustained flow of CRISPR publicity has made it the subject of curiosity and conversation beyond the scientific and research-led world. Why is it all the rage in the world of genetics? What possibilities does it hold? Let’s dive in to understand where CRISPR stands today.

A Primer On Fatty Liver Disease

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 06:26:00 +0000

The liver is the second largest organ in our body. It also performs varied functions. Primarily, it serves a protective function, acting as a sieve in filtering toxic elements from the bloodstream. It further aids in digestion by extracting nutrients from the food and drinks we consume. Particularly, the liver makes proteins and stores iron for us. We also rely on our livers to aid digestion by making bile. (1)

Expert Talk: Swetha Devaraj on Animal flow training & Plant-based Diets

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 11:58:00 +0000

Swetha works as a fitness coach with a background as a healthcare professional. She previously worked as a vascular radiologist in Bengaluru. In 2016, she started to coach people for their exercise regimes and found immense satisfaction in enhancing people’s lives through her passion. She realised it was a place she felt more suited to, as well as a stage that creates awareness about preventive healthcare.

Highlights

A plant-based diet has helped me regulate my blood sugar and has brought down inflammation,
I just turned 37 and I’ve never been fitter in my life. I lift heavier, I run faster and longer. I’m very curious to see how far I can go. I can’t wait to compete again,
I think snacking is overrated. People just put on weight in the name of snacking because snacks become their mini-meals.

Swetha Devaraj - Animal Flow Workout & Plant-based Diets Expert

Swetha has always been a sporty person, who played pro tennis in India and college-level tennis at Alcorn State University in America. She then proceeded to cement herself as a runner, winning several marathons as well as obstacle races.

How to Fuel Efficiently For a Marathon

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:44:00 +0000

Introduction

Running a marathon is a challenging task. It requires months of training, a good physical condition, as well as regulating your mind for the big changes that take place in your body over the training and on the day of the actual marathon. Nutrition becomes particularly important as it is the input that allows you to practice steadily and perform well on the day of the race, fueling the nutrients and other physiological changes that the body needs. Hydration and glucose levels, for example, become critical inside the body. On the outside, there are common complaints about nipples chafing, blisters on feet, and burning sensations in quads and shins.

How to monitor blood glucose levels & fast efficiently

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 10:43:00 +0000

Introduction

Fasting is the buzzword in the nutrition realm but it has been practised by people around the world for centuries. It refers to a willing restriction or restraint on how we consume calories, whether as food or drink and can be immensely beneficial for metabolism, blood sugar levels as well as cardiovascular health.

How can one monitor glucose?

Blood sugar can be observed by checking one’s glucose levels and can be tracked by doing a finger prick test or through a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). CGMs are devices that provide live data to users about their blood sugar levels. Typically, such devices monitor interstitial glucose levels, that is, the glucose levels from the fluids between cells, through a sensor.

How to Monitor Blood Glucose Levels & Fast Efficiently

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 10:40:00 +0000

Introduction

How can one monitor glucose?

Metabolic Flexibility & Metabolic Health

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 15:19:00 +0000

Introduction

Metabolic flexibility is the body’s ability to process fuel from either source of energy—fat or glucose. When this ability is impaired from poor health or genes, it can cause metabolic inflexibility, a condition typically characterised by the burning of glucose over fats. To measure if fat is being burned, it is prudent to observe glucose and ketone levels. Metabolic flexibility also supports athletic performance, and can be a precondition to diabetes, insulin resistance or obesity. It can also be genetically inherited. Metabolic flexibility can be improved by fasting (which nudges the body to burn fat, consuming more protein and maintaining good health through effective and frequent exercise.

EPOC: Burn Calories even after Leaving Gym

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 10:53:00 +0000

Your body continues to burn calories even after you’re done exercising. This process is called excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), also known as the “afterburn effect.”

Let’s understand how it ties into the process of metabolism, specifically the aerobic and anaerobic pathways, and how it benefits your body.

Highlights

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is produced either with oxygen using the aerobic pathways or without oxygen relying on the anaerobic pathways,
The body stores energy as fat for efficiency. It essentially responds to excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) by freeing up fatty acids in the bloodstream.

ATP Production: Aerobic and Anaerobic Pathways

Metabolism is a series of chemical processes that take place in each cell, transforming the calories we eat into fuel to keep us alive.

Melatonin & Metabolic Health

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 11:31:00 +0000

Getting an adequate amount of quality sleep is among the pillars of metabolic health. Most of us have similar sleep-wake cycles, regulated by a part of our brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN for short). Located in the hypothalamus, SCN is considered the body’s timekeeper from its position just above the crossing for optic nerves. At night, a lack of light produces melatonin, a hormone that causes us to feel sleepy. Melatonin also impacts daily bodily activities related to a smooth metabolism that can balance between energy needs and body weight regulation.

Metabolism, Inflammation, & How They Interact

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 13:06:00 +0000

What is metabolism?

Metabolism is a series of life-sustaining chemical processes in each cell transforming the calories we eat into fuel to keep us alive.

Simply put, metabolism takes place when the calories for dietary consumption combine with oxygen to release energy. (9) In addition, it extracts complementary elements, called endogenous metabolites to use these nutrients as energy effectively. For example, metabolism turns dietary fibre into short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), an essential component for liver function. (8)

Beating Insulin Resistance: HIIT vs Mild Cardio

Sat, 09 Oct 2021 14:18:00 +0000

Introduction

Do you ever wonder why your blood sugar falls or rises after some workouts? The answer may lie in your insulin response. Let’s find out how high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and milder exercises interact with the MVP of the blood glucose bastion - insulin.

A primer on insulin resistance and sensitivity

Insulin is the hormone used by our cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. It maintains balanced blood sugar levels over time. Insulin sensitivity is a measure of how sensitive one’s cells are to the hormone. A low level of insulin sensitivity would point to a lack of efficient use of the hormone in one’s body and cells. A high level, on the other hand, would indicate efficient use. Certain lifestyle changes can improve or alter insulin sensitivity. (2) The opposite of insulin sensitivity is insulin resistance.

Relationship Between Heart Health & Insulin Resistance

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 07:24:00 +0000

Introduction

Over the course of an average lifetime, our heart beats about 2.5 billion times. Its continuous and tireless work makes it tremendously important for us to stay heart-healthy. The muscular pump, that is the heart, is responsible for blood circulation throughout the body. It comprises systemic circulation - to and from the body, and pulmonary circulation - to and from the lungs. It is also responsible for the removal of waste products of metabolism. (1) By extension, heart health is tied to metabolic health.