Break the Rules That Aren't Serving You

Many people, as they ease into their later years, look forward to slowing down in retirement, living in more temperate climates, playing a bit of golf, and sipping evening cocktails on the veranda.

If you’re in your 40s or 50s (30s if you’re smart), do not miss out on of a very important Secret Weapon that will get you off the porch and help you get more out of the last decades of your life. Let me give you a few hints about this Weapon. It’s:

• your Metabolism’s Best Friend

• a Glucose Guardian Angel

• a Hormone Factory You Didn’t Know you Had

• a Brain-Body Connection and

• One of largest organs in your body: YOUR MUSCLES

Muscle, it turns out, isn’t just for lifting groceries or opening stubborn pickle jars. It’s a metabolic powerhouse. Unlike fat, which lounges around like a couch potato, muscle burns calories even when you’re binge-watching your favorite show. Think of your biceps as tiny metabolic power plants, chugging along 24/7 to keep your energy expenditure humming. The more muscle you have, the harder your body works to maintain it — meaning you’re torching calories while doing…well, nothing.

Muscle also plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar. When you eat carbs, muscles act like a sponge, soaking up glucose to use as fuel. More muscle mass means more sponges, which lowers your risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. And, your quads (the largest muscles in our bodies) work overtime ensuring sugar doesn’t hang around causing trouble. So, be sure not to skip leg day at the gym or hiking up your favorite trail.

Muscles secrete hormones called myokines that act like tiny superheroes fighting inflammation, boosting brain health, and protecting against diseases like cancer and heart disease.

After age 30, muscle mass declines by 3-8% per decade - a process called sarcopenia. Without muscle, everyday tasks become Olympic events. But, Resistance training can slow or even reverse this decline. In essence, strong muscles mean better balance, fewer falls, and more independence as you age.

Last but not least, muscle health is linked to cognitive function. Studies show strength training improves memory and reduces dementia risk. Think of it as lifting weights for your brain.

So, what’s the antidote to what’s ailing us? Invest in a body that can hike, dance, run, bike, and lift heavy things…and keep doing these things that use your MUSCLES every day. Your 80-year-old self will thank you.

WOMEN NEED TO KNOW:

The increased risk of getting breast cancer on HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy-[estrogen and progesterone]) is LESS than the risk of breast cancer on two (2) glasses of wine per day.

The increased risk of getting breast cancer on HRT is LESS than the same risk while being overweight.

The increased risk of getting breast cancer on HRT is LESS than the same risk while being physically inactive

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Results of Last Week’s Poll

If you recall, last week we asked which topics you are most interested in hearing about. These included: nutrition & diet, fitness, movement and strength, women’s health, sleep, dementia, supplements - NAD, peptides and more, metabolic fitness and manifesting the life you want.

The two winning preferences were:

 Women’s Health and Supplements

We heard you and will proceed accordingly.

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