#231 – Adaptation and why it’s important to our metabolic health, stress, and trauma | Dr. Casey Means & Dr. Molly Maloof - (Replay)
Sep 21, 2023
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Experts Dr. Casey Means and Dr. Molly Maloof discuss the importance of adaptation in relation to metabolic health, stress, and trauma. They delve into topics such as the root causes of disease, global human disconnection, love and oxytocin, addiction, and increasing physical and emotional adaptation.
Adaptation to environmental factors, work demands, relationship demands, and physiological demands is crucial for maintaining health and well-being.
Optimizing metabolic health through tracking blood sugar levels can have a profound impact on cravings, mood stability, energy levels, weight management, and chronic disease prevention.
Building strong connections and loving relationships are essential for our bodies to thrive and combat the constant threat mode caused by chronic stress, trauma, and isolation.
Optimizing mitochondrial function and metabolic flexibility enhances the body's ability to adapt, handle demands, and maintain a healthy state.
Physical presence and genuine in-person interactions are crucial for establishing genuine connection and preventing chronic threat signaling in the brain that contributes to mental health issues and addiction.
Deep dives
The Importance of Adaptation in Health
The secret to health lies in our ability to adapt to the various demands of our environment and our bodies. This includes adapting to environmental factors, work demands, relationship demands, and physiological demands. Our bodies have the capacity to bounce back from breakdowns and stay strong and healthy if we have enough resources and can change our behavior accordingly.
Understanding the Role of Metabolic Health
Metabolic health plays a crucial role in overall well-being. Tracking blood sugar levels and optimizing metabolic health can have a profound impact on cravings, mood stability, energy levels, weight management, and the prevention of chronic diseases. By improving metabolic flexibility and understanding how the body handles different demands, individuals can take control of their health.
The Impact of Chronic Threat and Emotional Health
In today's modern world, chronic stress, trauma, and isolation have become common factors that can negatively impact our health. Constant threat signaling from the media, comparison on social media, and manipulation by food companies can contribute to metabolic dysfunction and health issues. Building strong connections and loving relationships are essential, as they provide the safety signals our bodies need to thrive and combat the constant threat mode.
Capacity Building and Mitochondrial Function
Building capacity within our bodies is crucial for maintaining health and functioning effectively. Mitochondria, the powerhouses of our cells, play a vital role in energy production and resource management. By optimizing mitochondrial function and metabolic flexibility, individuals can enhance their body's ability to adapt, handle demands, and maintain a healthy state. This is critical for overall well-being and the prevention of chronic diseases.
The impact of digital communication on connection
Communication technology, social media, and digital communications enhance social isolation by not replicating the felt connection that occurs in in-person interactions. True felt connection and the feeling of safety and trust are not easily replicated through digital means alone. Being physically present with someone and experiencing their energetic field is crucial for establishing genuine connection. The absence of human connection can lead to chronic threat signaling in the brain, which contributes to mental health issues and addiction.
The importance of being present and valuing human interaction
Living in the digital age has conditioned many of us to constantly seek distraction and avoid present moments. The normalization of electronic parenting, where children are regularly placed in front of screens, is affecting their ability to engage in meaningful social interactions. This lack of connection with others can lead to difficulties in socializing and interacting in real-life situations. It is crucial for individuals to make a conscious effort to be present, engage in genuine conversations, and resist the urge to constantly be distracted by screens.
The need for balance and the consequences of cultural shifts
The podcast highlights the importance of finding balance in our lives and prioritizing aspects such as physical health, psychological well-being, and spirituality. Taking time to pause, reflect, and assess one's priorities can lead to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. Neglecting these aspects can have detrimental effects on mental health, leading to a rise in mental health problems, addiction, and physical health issues such as obesity. The cultural shift towards excessive screen time and disconnection from meaningful relationships may also have long-term consequences, impacting social skills and overall well-being.
The Power of Letting Go and Listening
The speaker shares a personal experience of letting go of the desire to change their parents and instead focusing on loving and accepting them. This change in approach resulted in their parents being more open to seeking help and optimizing their health. The speaker highlights the transformative power of simply listening, being present, and showing empathy to clients and patients, which has led to positive results in their healing journeys. This shift in perspective has sparked the speaker's interest in the placebo response and the potential for harnessing its power in medicine.
Exploring Root Causes and Overcoming Fear
The speaker discusses the importance of addressing core wounds and examining how past experiences shape our behavior and reactivity. They emphasize the significance of therapy and other modalities in this process, as well as the need to overcome the fear of mortality. The speaker suggests that controlling others is toxic and counterproductive, and that letting go of control can lead to healthier relationships. They also mention the potential for psychedelics in addressing fear of death and the need for proper screening and guidance in psychedelic experiences.
Obesity and chronic disease are fallouts from the lack of real human connection. Underneath biomarkers like glucose and physical aspects like mitochondrial dysfunctions are the root causes of disease: hijacked reward pathways, chronic stress due to constant threat mode, and the global human disconnect.
In this discussion between Levels’ advisor Dr. Molly Maloof and our co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Casey Means, they talk about:
The most important measurable biomarker
How we’re designed to live in groups
The cycle of constant stress through threat signaling vs. high-reward pathways
The big problem of global human disconnection
How love and oxytocin helps to make us stronger, share resources, and create bonds
Addiction and the power of the pause
How to increase physical and emotional adaptation
Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.
Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.
🎙 WhatLevels’ advisor Dr. Molly Maloof and our co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Casey Means, discuss:
(12:13) - Adapting and self-managing in the face of adversity
(16:03) - The most important biomarker
(23:05) - Moving your body to create energy
(24:18) - Adapting beyond genetics
(26:29) - Hijacking reward pathways
(36:40) - Getting off the grid
(43:22) - Take care of your mitochondria
(45:57) - The holy grail of chronic disease
(51:35) - Felt connection
(59:11) - How deprivation is a pathway to happiness
