Who am I? Addendum…

In the previous article I showed you how you are inextricably tied into ‘your’ genetic heritage, and that this inescapable feature absolutely determines who you are…

Except it’s not entirely true.

From the recesses of your memory, dredge up your previous response to the question ‘Who am I?’ In light of the knowledge from the previous article, you may currently be thinking that you are ‘the expression of a 20,000-40,000 year old genome’. If this is the answer you have in your mind, then you aren’t wrong. But you are also far from right too.

We, as ‘Humans’, have this pesky mental process that gives us the illusion of separation from the rest of the Universe. So even if you’ve advanced your mental model of yourself to incorporate the human genome, you’d still only be appreciating a tiny fraction of the big picture. Let’s expand our viewpoint.

You may think of yourself as a ‘human’, however, this ‘label’ doesn’t reflect the actuality of what a ‘human’ is. Within the human body there are approximately a trillion human cells, but, you also have approximately 10 trillion bacterial cells within you or on you. So, the actual ‘human’ component of you is only 10%. You are 90% bacteria.

And that’s if we stop at the cellular level. Remember Life is really an expression of information that is manifest as physical features. As we saw in the previous article our human information code is the ‘DNA’ patterns written into our genome and it’s pretty vast, weighing in at just under 25,000 genes. However, the bacteria also has a genome and since there are 10 times as many bacterial cells as human, you may think that there would also be 10 times the amount of genomic information; nope. There are in fact about 8,000,000 bacterial genes within you or on you; that’s more than 300 times the amount compared to the human genome. So from a genomic standpoint ‘you’ are actually more than 99% bacteria.

This understanding of who you ‘really’ are is vital. If you approach the situation from a parasitic point of view, we (the human element), in opposition to common thought, seem to be the parasite in a vast multi-cultural colony of bacteria. However, this certainly isn’t the case. The relationship is symbiotic; that is an intricate relationship called the microbiome that mutually benefits both organisms. And we’re just beginning to appreciate how beneficial it is for ‘us’.

The microbiome, and the bacteria that form it, give ‘us’ life.

95% of all of your energy is processed by a structure within your cells called the mitochondria. Although today it is viewed as an organelle; a structure within a cell that performs a specific function, millions of years ago it was a discrete bacteria that formed a symbiotic relationship with the cell line (eukaryote) that includes human cells. Mitochondria still has its own DNA and are produced from parent mitochondria, although over the millions of years of symbiosis it has lost its ability to be entirely self-reliant. The mitochondrion allows us to respire aerobically (a very efficient means of processing energy) and our human cells provide it with protection (shelter) and nutrients (food). The mitochondria also play a huge role in the functioning of our immune system and cellular processes, but that is way beyond the scope of this article.

The other bacteria within the microbiome are still discrete and unmodified, but play just as vital a role.

When the microbiome becomes imbalanced; called dysbiosis, the entire organism declines in health. New research has shown that an imbalance in the type of bacteria found on the skin can influence whether a person has severe acne or blemish-free skin (1). Now while this seems superficial (I guarantee it’s not to those who suffer with acne) it illustrates a bigger point. The beneficial bacteria provide a defence system against external threats, and this is not just happening outside of your body.

Within your body the beneficial bacteria play a similar role, plus many more. Thanks in part to Edwina Curry everyone in Britain was made aware of Salmonella and also, unfortunately, by association scared off of eating eggs. Researchers have recently demonstrated that the probiotic organism Lactobaccilus reuteri - a natural resident of the human gut, produces an antimicrobial substance known as reuterin, which may protect intestinal epithelial cells from infection by the food borne bacterial pathogen (Salmonella).

Your blood pressure is also regulated in part by the bacteria within your gut, and it happens in quite an amusing manner. Many blood vessels in your body possess a receptor normally found in your nose, which is responsible for detecting the presence (smelling) of a particular odour (really the chemical that is a component of the odour). These specialised receptors in your blood vessels sense small molecules which are created by specific microbes in the intestines, and respond by modifying blood pressure. (2)

The research within this field is rapidly expanding and to name but a few there are implications for obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.

In addition to the influence on your physical body, the microbiome may also influence your behaviour and even your most private thoughts. A recent study demonstrated that mice fed with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 showed significantly fewer stress, anxiety and depression-related behaviours than those fed with just broth. It was also found ingestion of the bacteria resulted in significantly lower levels of the stress-induced hormone, corticosterone. (3) Now it’s somewhat obvious that mice are not men, so it doesn’t always follow that the same process will occur across species, but we do know that people with gut issues such as colitis often also have concomitant psychological distress, and certain psychological states such as autism also sometimes co-present with gastrointestinal issues. So although it hasn’t been definitively mapped, the link is certainly a route worth investigating.

Far from the disease promoting perception that we have of bacteria in which we are ‘advised’ to eradicate it at all costs, this could actually be the biggest problem. Our arrogant notion of humans being a separate and dominant species could spell our downfall. The key to our survival and ability to flourish is to, as we have done for millennia, become more humble and re-learn the wisdom of ancient man that not only are we ‘not’ the centre of the Universe, but we are totally dependent upon the entirety of a balanced and harmonic biosphere. Unless we drop our ego-driven image of ourselves and become aware of our true place within the whole, then our stay on this amazing planet could be brutish, painful and short.

In upcoming articles I’ll show you how our ancestors forged this relationship and how we can re-foster this connection so that we can begin to explore the vast potential that lies within us.

References:

1. Sorel Fitz-Gibbon, Shuta Tomida, Bor-Han Chiu, Lin Nguyen, Christine Du, Minghsun Liu, David Elashoff, Marie C Erfe, Anya Loncaric, Jenny Kim, Robert L Modlin, Jeff F Miller, Erica Sodergren, Noah Craft, George M Weinstock, Huiying Li. Propionibacterium acnes Strain Populations in the Human Skin Microbiome Associated with Acne. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/jid.2013.21

2. Rosemarie De Weirdt, Aurélie Crabbé, Stefan Roos, Sabine Vollenweider, Christophe Lacroix, Jan Peter van Pijkeren, Robert A. Britton, Shameema Sarker, Tom Van de Wiele, Cheryl A. Nickerson. Glycerol Supplementation Enhances L. reuteri’s Protective Effect against S. Typhimurium Colonization in a 3-D Model of Colonic Epithelium. PLoS ONE, 2012; 7 (5): e37116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037116

3. Javier A. Bravo, Paul Forsythe, Marianne V. Chew, Emily Escaravage, Hélène M. Savignac, Timothy G. Dinan, John Bienenstock, John F. Cryan. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a mouse via the vagus nerve. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102999108

Who am I?

I’m not having an existential crisis, but indulge me for a moment and ask yourself this seemingly simple question.

If you began searching your soul for the answer about your identity and started going through an Oprah Winfrey-esque process of self discovery, then bear with me for just a smidgeon of your time, and entertain the idea presented below. It may ignite within you a more secure understanding of ‘whom’ you really are and your place in the Universe.


Evolutionary Principle

Essentially you are still the same as a Human from 50,000 years ago. This single fact underlies the entire manner you need to approach diet, physical activity and life in general. We’ll get to why in a moment, but for now you need to understand one key point

‘Human DNA has not significantly changed in the last 50,000 years’

So in order for us to have the greatest effect (hopefully positive) on our body and mind we need to use this concept as a basis for everything we do, and that is what I attempt to do with all things HPC-UK.

You may have heard or even adhere to what has now become known as a ‘Paleo-‘ diet or lifestyle. At HPC-UK we definitely use some of the ideas that have come out of that school of thought, but we also use modern day approaches as long as they are compatible with our genetic heritage. HPC-UK is based upon a ‘modified ancestral approach based on the Human genome.


Why live in this Way?

To understand why we should live in this manner we have to take a quick look inside the very blueprint of your body. This blueprint is known as the Human Genome which is composed of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA).

Your DNA code is made up of over 3,000,000,000 nucleic acids which instruct the body to make more than 100,000 proteins that make up you and me. Each protein has a precise code sequence, written in your DNA.

As well as the code in our body, every item you come into contact with either by eating, drinking, inhaling or allowed to get onto your skin also has a code sequence (not always a DNA sequence). The DNA code for any particular protein in your body is expressed in response to the flux of chemicals within the body i.e. something that enters your body, something you do to change your chemistry or something that leaves your body. This chemical flux determines your physiology, behaviour and even your most intimate thoughts.

The DNA code that you have inside you was laid down over millions of years during a time of very particular conditions, such as physical environment, food availability and the physical activity that was dictated by these factors. Prior to 10,000 years ago this environment was based around a hunter/ gatherer lifestyle. Then things changed…drastically.

Approximately 10,000 years ago Humans shifted from a hunter/ gatherer lifestyle to a lifestyle based around agriculture. This was the beginning of huge reforms in the physical and social environment to which Humans were exposed; an environment we are rapidly furthering today.

This 10,000 year period, however, is far too short for the DNA code to change. Scientists call it the “genetic lag”. It takes about 20,000-50,000 years for a new environmental stimulus to change DNA to suit. So we’re still 10,000-40,000 years short of being anywhere near able to suit our current lifestyle; we’re still 99.9 percent the same as 50,000 years ago but our environment is not. Our modern environment is increasingly in conflict with our genome.

As advanced as this (genomic) knowledge is, the next advancements are already on the horizon. This next huge step is figuring out how ‘epi-genetics’ and ‘proteomics’ all tie into the picture.

So, in light of this brief introduction ask yourself the question again ‘Who am I?’ Already it should be slightly different to the answer you responded with at the beginning.

However, what I’m going to show you in future articles is how your current perception of ‘who you are’ is both hugely exaggerated in one sense, and totally understated in another.

It has profound implications on your health, performance and your ability to realise your immense potential.

HPC-UK Principles

At HPC-UK the programs are designed with a core principle ‘Nature made all of the locks and holds all of the keys’.

This seemingly simple principle sets the foundation for all of the other principles adopted; and from these principles, the methods that are used in programming both training and nutrition.

Think about your body being your home. When you enter your home every day, do you use a battering ram to open the door? Sure, it would definitely gain you entry, but now you would have a damaged door which causes all kinds of subsequent problems. Or do you pick the lock in some way? Again yes it would ‘possibly’ gain you entry, but it’s inefficient and will probably destroy the lock in a fairly short period of time. Or do you simply use the correct key to open the lock? Over time it suffers from a bit of wear and tear but if you look after both the lock and the key it will perform its job superbly lifelong.

Same thing with your body, you can force it to do things using inappropriate means, and it might get you where you want to go in the short term, but it will break down just as quickly.

Or you could use a less immediately destructive means to achieve your outcome, but it too is inefficient, not guaranteed and ultimately destructive.

Or you could just use the right tools for the job.

Whenever you adopt an exercise or nutrition program, take a deeper look. Is it just a method? Is that method based on a principle? If not, be a little cautious, it may be a battering ram or a pick in disguise. If it is based on a principle, is that principle recognised and longstanding? If not, again be a little cautious, it may just be wearing a slightly better disguise.

Remember the saying ‘Methods are many, Principles are few. Methods change, Principles never do’.

It’s Not Inevitable…

Sarcopenia is the loss of mass and function of skeletal muscle that occurs with ‘usual’ ageing. Sarcopenia includes loss of muscle quantity and quality along with the loss of motor neurons that enable muscles to contract which together contribute to the loss of strength and especially muscle power. There is also a reduced ability for the muscle to repair and recover. In addition, there is a progressive increase in oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and associated pain and discomfort that afflict the whole body.

Muscle plays a huge role in immunity because muscles supply the immune system with the glutamine required to make immune cells; so the loss of muscle also causes a loss of immune function.

Sarcopenia also contributes to declining brain function with age through multiple mechanisms; one simple example is the reduction of blood flow (and thus oxygen delivery) which would normally be assisted by muscular contractions.

Sarcopenia often goes unrecognised, as the process is fairly slow, about a 0.5-1% loss of muscle mass per year after the age of 25, and is often concomitantly accompanied by fat gain which masks its appearance; so it regularly goes on unopposed.

To allow such a pivotal player in disease and dysfunction to develop is crazy especially when it’s relatively easy to prevent. Part of the answer is in the image.