Numerous biological processes are essential for preserving the youthful vitality of our cells. Autophagy, one of these key cellular activities, provides numerous advantages to our body's well-being and longevity. During autophagy, waste materials within the cell are targeted for breakdown and recycling by highly specialized organelles known as lysosomes. 

In cellular studies, activating this "clean-up system" reduces inflammation on the ocular surface (the cornea and tear film).  And it is a key component of the nutritional remodeling.  Remember, remodeling a house is not going through and painting over every surface, it is an organized, intentional protocol.  That is why our program is not one static diet plan or supplement bundle for the entire 10 weeks.  It is dynamic and has intentional progression toward a personalized outcome.  As we know, no two house remodel projects are the same. 

If you're looking to jumpstart your eye wellness journey in a big way, intermittent fasting (IF) is an increasingly popular option. Intermittent fasting has many potential benefits, including weight loss and improved metabolism - but it's not right for everyone. Before making the plunge into this intense lifestyle shift, it's best to do some research and decide if it would be a good fit for you. In this blog post we'll look at three key indicators that will help you determine whether or not intermittent fasting is the right choice for you, or if you should wait until later.  Here are three key factors to consider:

1.  Wide swings in blood sugar

Going really abruptly from a standard western diet (that is causing your blood sugar to spike and crash throughout the day) and IF could make it more difficult that you bargained for.  You may know you have a tendency for high or low blood sugar by symptoms alone: such as fatigue, cognitive issues (like brain fog), or changes in heart rate after eating.  These could be delayed by 20 minutes or even 1 to 2 hours after eating.  A few weeks to a month on a nutrition plan that stabilizes blood sugar can go a long way in boosting the success of an IF regimen.

2. Stress or Inconsistent sleep schedule

Cortisol and melatonin are the sleep/wake hormones.  Cortisol also plays a crucial role in blood sugar regulation.  It stimulates glucose production in the liver and reduces glucose utilization in muscles and fat tissue. In individuals with chronic stress or inconsistent sleep schedules, dysregulated production of cortisol can lead to insulin resistance and impair the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels.  This effects how your body responds to fasting.  So although it's possible you'd reap the benefits, but initially it could exacerbate the sleep issues.  So we recommend getting this on better footing before starting IF.

3. No support

Have an outlet set up for support in the form of a nutritionist or nutrition trained practitioner to make sure you do an IF plan safely to monitor for complications.  This may include important principles like fitting the same nutrient density into your eating window and increasing hydration, but also involves subtleties like understanding the implications of reactions and taking the right vitamins and supplements to support your IF goals.

In conclusion, Intermittent fasting is a great tool for those looking to improve their eye & cellular health, but first it's important to identify that you're truly ready for the challenge. Considering the three points laid out in this post –plus listening to your body and speaking with a nutrition professional – should make it easier to determine if you're ready to take on the challenge. 

Perhaps now is the time to give this incredible lifestyle choice a try as part of your journey for more comfortable and healthier eyes. If you'd like more information on how our nutrition program incorporates intermittent fasting, please learn more about us today and speak with one of our team members. It may seem intimidating at first, but once you begin your journey towards improved health, the results will make all the hard work truly worth it.

It is well known that what you eat affects your health, but many people forget about the importance of nutrition for eye health. Eating certain foods can help improve and protect vision and reduce the risk of diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts. Foods such as leafy greens, salmon, nuts, eggs, and citrus fruits have been shown to be beneficial for eye health. These types of foods are rich in vitamins A, C, and E along with omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for overall eye health. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to night blindness while vitamin C helps protect against UV damage and build collagen. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids found in tuna and salmon are crucial for preventing dry eyes as they reduce inflammation. 

In addition to eating the right kinds of food, wearing sunglasses when outdoors and quitting smoking can also help protect eyesight from future damage. Sunglasses should be worn whenever venturing outside on sunny days to avoid UV damage from the sun’s rays; regular smoke breaks can also do irreparable harm to vision over time due to the particles released from cigarette smoke. The importance of exercising regularly cannot be underestimated either; moderate exercise helps maintain optimal blood pressure by improving circulation which in turn improves oxygen delivery to all parts of your body including your eyes. Staying active also helps reduce stress levels which has a positive effect on one's mental state thus helping maintain good overall physical health including better eye sight. Overall, nutrition is key when it comes to eye health; eating healthy foods will offer protection against any future damage or diseases that might occur later on in life.