Feb 28, 2025: Filtering out toxins; and testing for lactose intolerance

Happy Friday! Each week, I’m sharing two nano health habits, a lesson, and an inspirational quote to ponder on your health journey.

No one’s yet discovered the elixir of youth. There is no one fix for a longer, healthier life. What we do have, though, are nano or micro habits that together make all the difference.

Two Nano Health Habits

Invest in a water filter. Clean water helps to flush out toxins. Consider having a water filter at home that uses carbon, charcoal or reverse osmosis, to remove any contaminants.

If you’re in the US, you can check the quality of your water at the Environmental Working Group’s tap water database. Just type in your zip code.

Test for lactose intolerance. If you suspect your body doesn’t like lactose, the natural sugar in milk, you can test that. You may suspect milk products don’t agree with you if you’re feeling bloated or have diarrhea.

About sixty-eight percent of us have trouble digesting lactose; more so for those of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent.

Your doctor can give you a hydrogen breath test, or a blood test, for a definite answer.

One Lesson

The power of intermittent fasting. Going without food for a stretch of time, known as intermittent fasting, is producing some surprising results.

A new study shows that even middle-aged mice fed a high-fat diet lost weight and improved their blood sugars when fed intermittently. It seems that fasting can change the gut microbiome.

Intermittent fasting can be going without food overnight, say from 7pm till 7am, or even longer to 11am, giving you at least 12 hours without food. Humans are more complex than mice, but the results are promising for those looking for a proven way to lose weight.

Here’s a link to the evidence:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40001132/

One Quote

“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”

Peter Marshall