"Meal Science"

By: Farid Zarif, MD(c), MPH, ND, PhD

The human body consumes energy and produces energy. Energy is our life force, without it we're simply lifeless. So, we constantly burn fuel (Catabolism) and breakdown cells as a normal function of our existence. The higher the quality of nutritional intake, yields a optimally healthy individual. The lower the quality of nutritional intake, yields a mal-nourished individual. Simply put, the way we feel and perform is directly connected with our nutritional, physical, and spiritual decisions.

Our fuel to consume and produce energy, comes from our nutritional, physical , spiritual, and mental (Behavior and Beliefs,). Physically, our bodies produce three (3) three major energy phases, these phases are called, “Metabolic Phases”.

• Phase1: (Small-medium portion Meal), begins with the first waking hour of a given twenty-four hour (24) cycle. This phase is called, The Metabolic Ignition, the period of any given 24 hour cycle, considered as Break-Fast (Breakfast).
• Phase 2: (Largest Meal) the period of any given 24 hour cycle, considered as Lunch, begins six hours after the first waking hour. This is the time during each twenty-four (24) cycle, that the body's systems are most active, Theta Brainwaves, Digestion, Endocrine System, and a perfect time for physical performance. This Phase is also called the Protein Phase, why? Because this is the best time to consume protein (large complex molecular composition). Protein is usually associated with fat, fat equals nine kilo-calories (Kcal) per gram (g). This means that for every gram of fat (weighing approximately the weight of a paper clip), yields nine (9) Kcal (That's equivalent to approximately the energy it takes to walk thirty-six (36) steps). Thus, Phase 2 is critical to those whose objectives are to lose and/or manage weight.
• Phase 3: Also called the Bedtime Phase, (Smallest Meal) consisting of simple and complex carbohydrates, occurs six hours after Phase 2. This is the time during each twenty-four (24) cycle, when the body energy descends, it is literally preparing for sleep. Sleep is when our bodies heal. Injured cells are repaired, dead cells are replaced. This is also when the heart gets its rest. The human lifespan is approximately eighty years. That equals three billion (3,000,000,000) beats per lifetime. However, most people won't come close to this staggering figure with today's equally staggering cases of overweight and obesity.

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