"Maintaining homeostasis: Is food the ultimate medicine?"

Homeostasis: The body's machine-like need for food to maintain balance.

Homeostasis, the process by which biological systems maintain stability, is crucial for the body to function properly. The human body is similar to a machine, with physiological systems working together to keep internal conditions steady. Our diet plays a significant role in maintaining homeostasis, and poor food choices can throw off the balance. Companies like Ideal Protein create metabolic-based programs that help restore homeostasis through the power of food. However, it's not just about what we eat, but also the quality and quantity of our diet. Excess sugar, fat, and sodium in the typical North American diet can upset homeostasis and lead to health problems for organs, brain, and heart. To avoid these issues, we need to consume the right nutrients that our body needs, as each macromolecule in food, including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, are absorbed at different rates while traveling through the digestive system.

Elevated blood sugar levels caused by excess sugar in the typical diet may lead to health risks like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. The human body is equipped to regulate blood sugar levels through the hormone insulin and glucagon. When there is a rise in blood sugar after eating, insulin is secreted from the pancreas to deliver excess sugar from the bloodstream to cells where it can be used for energy or stored. On the other hand, glucagon pulls energy out of cells to ensure there is enough glucose available in the bloodstream. This interplay between insulin and glucagon is an essential part of homeostasis. However, a diet high in processed foods can overwork this relationship and cause it to fall out of balance, leading to health risks.

To keep weight balanced and health risks at bay, it is essential to consume a diet with adequate amounts of lean protein and low in sugar and higher in complex carbohydrates. Examples of such protein sources include chicken, eggs, and fish, while kale and mushrooms are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates. Ideal Protein’s three-phase protocol, which uses low-glycemic and high-quality food choices, is designed to rebalance, stabilize, and maintain energy homeostasis.