Understanding Ketosis: The Definitive Guide to the Ketogenic Diet You've likely seen the keto guides, the fancy recipe books, and the endless stream of "keto-friendly" snacks at the store. It's one of the most talked-about ways to eat, but it's also full of bad advice and myths. If you want to know if this way of eating actually works, you need to look at the science. This guide explains how ketosis works and how to do it safely based on nutrition research. What Exactly is Ketosis? The Science of Fuel Switching "Keto" is short for ketogenic. A ketogenic diet is simply a way of eating that forces your body to make ketones. To understand this, you first have to understand how your body usually gets energy. Most people run on glucose, which comes from carbohydrates. A healthy body is great at keeping blood glucose levels steady. This fuel powers your brain, your organs, and your muscles. If your glucose levels dip, your body has backups. It can pull g...
The Vital Role of Muscle Health: Longevity, Exercise, and Optimal Protein Nutrition Most people think muscles are just for looking good at the beach or lifting heavy boxes. They see the gym as a place for vanity or sports performance. But skeletal muscle is actually one of the most important organs in your body. Paul Smith Johnson, head of product innovation at My Protein, recently sat down with Professor Lee Breen to talk about this. Professor Breen is a muscle physiology expert at the University of Leicester who studies how muscle changes as we age. The Multifaceted Importance of Skeletal Muscle for Overall Health Skeletal muscle is so large that some scientists argue it is the biggest organ in the human body, rivaling the skin. Its job goes far beyond moving your arms and legs. Professor Breen explains that muscle acts as an endocrine organ. This means it releases chemicals and signals that talk to other parts of your body. When you exercise, your muscles release factors t...