Our Body’s Natural Rhythm Cycles

Just as nature has its series of cycles – death and rebirth, seasons, – so too do we. There are biological rhythms within the body that dictate periods of tissue repair, tissue growth, waste elimination. These are known as the Circadian rhythms -a blend of the interaction between our internal clock and external cues. Healing occurs in cycles. Some days the body has a high-energy level and it rebuilds damaged tissues. On such days, we may feel great. On other days, the body must do its detoxification and remove accumulated toxins. When this happens, we may experience low levels of energy or even mild depression.

The body goes through increased detoxification and healing crisis with every change of season, which explains why people seem to get sick at those particular times of the year. Fasting for 7-10 days with each seasonal change is a way to help the body during these natural times of cleansing. 

Did you know that our body runs through three 8-hour cycles per day?
Like the earth and the moon, sea, and seasons, our bodies have cycles. Our bodies go through these cycles every 24 hours, each and every day. By gearing our daily food intake according to these cycles, as well as correctly combining foods, we will experience much improved all around health (our main goal) which for most include less fatigue and normalization of our weight (the bonus).

Cycle no. 1 –  Detoxification (4am-12pm)
This is the time when your body would like to direct most of its energy to the work of cleansing toxins from your body. To facilitate this, light eating is the best choice now as you break your fast (breakfast). This does not mean a cup of coffee (regular or decaf) and a muffin. Instead focus on fruit and fresh juices as well as drinking 16-32 ounces of water to help flush the toxins.  Fruits are good because they do not digest in your stomach – they go through the stomach and directly to your small intestines. In this way, there is no diversion of energy from the body’s work of elimination being used for digestion of food. Three to five bowel movements daily should be the norm.

Cycle no. 2 -Assimilation  (12pm-8pm)
As you enter this cycle, your body has the energy required to perform the vital functions necessary to assimilate the food you eat through the digestive process. This is when we should eat the majority of our heavy foods. Notice that lunch and dinner should fall into this time frame.

Cycle no. 3 – Repair and Rest (8pm  – 4am)
During this cycle, the body is now ready to absorb the nutrients from the food we have eaten.   It makes sense to eat dinner early, so that the food you eat is digested and out of the stomach as preparation for this cycle. If we eat late (after 8pm), we throw ALL our cycles out of balance. Eating when upset, eating too fast, not chewing our food properly, over eating, and drinking with meals also affect how well we absorb the nutrients from our food.

For more info on seasonal eating and detox retreats, visit www.thirteenmoons.ca  http://tinyurl.com/dyvvkpl