The straw that broke the camel's back.

What if the way your body burns fat is speeding up your aging process? The balance between fat and glucose metabolism might hold the key to a longer, healthier life.

Did you know that the way your body burns fat can directly influence how quickly you age and develop age-related diseases? As it turns out, INCREASED fat oxidation is linked to cellular senescence — a process where cells stop dividing, contributing to aging and age-related diseases — and shifting from glucose to fat metabolism accelerates this process.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are key player in this story. High levels of ROS can damage cells, pushing them into senescence and accelerating aging. These molecules are constantly at work in the body, and their balance is essential for maintaining health as one age. Therefore, targeting these senescent cells could be the key to delaying aging and improving overall health.

Oxidative stress.

Fat oxidation is how your body breaks down fatty acids for energy.

While important for energy production, this metabolic pathway can lead to adverse effects when it DOMINATES over glucose oxidation. The shift from glucose to fat as a primary energy source is detrimental, as it disrupts the balance of cellular metabolism and accelerates aging.

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this process cannot be overstated. ROS are byproducts of oxygen metabolism that, in excess, cause oxidative stress and damage cellular components, pushing cells into a state of senescence. Increased fat oxidation exacerbates this oxidative stress, generating more ROS than glucose metabolism.

The benefits of prioritizing glucose oxidation are significant. Maintaining a BALANCE between glucose and fat metabolism reduces oxidative stress in your body, improves cellular function, and delays the onset of age-related diseases. This approach supports overall health and aligns with a holistic view of aging, where metabolic health is central to longevity and quality of life.

Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) competes directly with glucose oxidation in the cell's energy-producing pathways. Normally, glucose is the primary fuel, but when FAO increases, it occupies the metabolic pathways that glucose typically uses. This competition oxidizes less glucose, causing an overabundance of acetyl-CoA from FAO.

As fatty acid burning ramps up, a molecule called acetyl-CoA accumulates. This buildup is significant because acetyl-CoA affects how our genes are expressed.

Acetyl-CoA promotes adding chemical groups to histones, proteins around which our DNA is wrapped. This modification increases the expression of p16, a protein that signals cells to stop dividing and enter a state of senescence.

Reductive stress.

Moreover, excess acetyl-CoA interferes with the Krebs cycle, leading to a buildup of electrons in the electron transport chain. This buildup of excess electrons is known as reductive stress, and it disrupts cellular functions and promotes aging.

It's like your body's systems are overwhelmed with energy they can't properly use, leading to decreased efficiency and, over time, damage.

Saturated fats are more stable and much less susceptible to oxidation. Saturated fats are associated with a higher metabolic rate and less reductive stress, while monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) lower your metabolic rate and increase reductive stress.

It should be remembered that the main source of PUFAs in the modern human diet is linoleic acid (omega-6), which we consume in huge quantities from plant oils, on which we cook food and processed foods.

When PUFAs interact with ROS, such as hydroxyl radicals, they undergo a process called lipid peroxidation. This reaction breaks down the fats, causing them to accumulate in vital parts of the cell, including membranes and mitochondria. This buildup disrupts normal cell functions and lowers your cells' ability to produce sufficient energy.

As just one example, the lipid peroxidation caused by excessive PUFAs forms harmful molecules that interfere with insulin signaling. This interference leads to insulin resistance.

The most important principles of healthy eating:

• Moderation

• Balance

• Naturalness

Just remember that you should only go to extremes when you have a doctor's recommendation because you have a medical condition.

How do you achieve oxidative-reductive balance?

1. Optimize your fat intake.

Focus on incorporating more saturated fats (animal products are particularly rich in them) and reducing omega-6 in your diet. Choose sources like grass-fed butter, ghee, and tallow instead of vegetable oils. These healthier fat options are more stable and less prone to oxidation, helping to protect your cell membranes and reduce inflammation.

1. Incorporate targeted carbs.

Integrate 250 to 300 grams of carbs into your daily diet. Select carbs based on your gut health.
For those with gut issues, carbohydrates containing resistant starch are the first place to look. It has many healing properties for the gut.
If your gut health is good, starches like potatoes, root vegetables, and leafy greens are great options.

1. Add more antioxidant-rich foods to your diet.

One of the best antioxidants for this purpose is glutathione. It (and what increases its production) is found in large amounts in Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, turnips, garlic, onions (including leeks and green onions), spinach, asparagus, artichokes, avocado, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.

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Warm regards,
Kos and Helen.