Primal Primer 15 (Nutrition)
Fasting plays crucial role in the survival and thriving of ancient Homo sapiens by promoting adaptability, resilience, and physiological benefits in environments where food is not always available. Scarcity is a tool that activates a cascade of genetic pathways sharpening the ephemeral hunter and gather; switching on the most efficient and effective surviving being ever to grace this earth.
- Cognitive Benefits – Fasting is linked to improved cognitive function. Periods of hunger sharpens focus, mental clarity, and problem solving abilities; all essential for hunting, gathering, and navigating challenging environments. Keytones (known as 4th fuel) produced during fasting are proven to enhance brain function and protect against neurodegenerative disease; increasing overall survivability of the sapien.
- Enhanced Metabolic Flexibility – Throughout history, food sources were inconsistent; forcing early humans to shift between energy sources like stored fat in times of scarcity. Fasting develops metabolic flexibility, enabling efficient fat reserve use for energy when food was unavailable.
- Hormonal & Cellular Optimizer – Fasting triggers processes like autophagy, where the body removes damaged cells and recalls components, leading to more efficient cell function. It also stimulates growth hormone production which aids in muscle preservation and tissue repair; helping early humans maintain physical health during periods of scarcity.
- Improved Immune Function – Fasting provides immune function by promoting the regeneration of white blood cells This is advantageous as health is frequently challenged by infections and disease in harsh environments of scarcity.
- Increased Physical Endurance – In a fasted states, ancient humans would search for food; often involving long distance travel, hunting or foraging. Fasting increases the production of norepinephrine and other chemical that heighten alertness and energy levels, activating propensity for longer periods of physical activity in search of food.
- Fat Storage – Periodic fasting leads natural selection to choose those better at storing fat in times of abundance, allowing for survival in times of scarcity. The ability to efficiently store and use fat gives sapiens the evolutionary advantage in adapting to fluctuating food supplies.
- Cultural & Social Adaptations – Fasting influences social structure. When food is scarce, groups are forced to cooperate more closely in sharing resources and knowledges of hunting and gathering. Ritualistic fasting later evolving in culture likely began as practical adaptations to periods of food scarcity.
Rest & Digest
The human digestive system needs down time. Ancient humans did not eat every 3 hours, and we shouldn’t either. Time between meals was historically chaotic and highly dependent on effort from hunting and gathering success. Re-establish your relationship with food by removing constant fueling for structured periods of not digesting (intermittently). Fasting engenders increased appreciation of food, while re-creating novel neural connections. The body is designed to fast: internal programming enacted by fasting stimuli initiates cellular repair and auditing (autophagy), weight loss, increased workout intensity, and focus. Intermittent fasting transitions the body to using fat as fuel while resetting insulin sensitivity, and awakening ultra human abilities latent in us all.
~Cave Implementation~
Begin elongating time between meals: first meal of the day is practical independent variable as most are coming from 6-8 hour of fasting already from sleeping. Be consistent in your practice, and extend as comfortable. Fasting becomes easier with practice as the body adapts. The impulse to eat breakfast eases as this habit is expelled; mental clarity and physical performance augments in ways never before thought as body composition improves. Keep in mind, these benefits are only realized via the backdrop of a fueling strategy focusing on whole unprocessed foods with emphasis on proteins and fats. Become the master of when you fuel, not dutiful slave to it.
Become The Master Of When You Fuel, Not Dutiful Slave To It.
