Secret Cell Introductory Posts - Central Resource

Secret Cell Introductory Posts – Central Resource

The Secret Cell and Sleep

Your endothelial cells LOVE good, deep, restful and restorative sleep.

This is a physiological requirement for all. Important elements are circadian rhythms, sunlight, mood balance, exercise, and setting the stage (avoiding late meals, stop screen time, darkness) etc. Better sleep means restoration of the autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular tone, and work/fitness preparation.

Today’s little challenge for improving sleep: Can you try setting the stage tonight with a walk after dinner, no screentime for one hour before bed, and lowering blinds or a using mask to increase darkness?

The Secret Cell and Sex

Endothelial cells line the blood vessels serving our sexual organs AND our brain – we kinda need both to “get in the mood and get it on”!

Sex is a healthy part of our lives, regardless of whether a partner is with us or not. Improved cardiovascular health means better blood flow to sexual organs, better mood, closer connection to our partners.

Today’s little challenge for improving connection with others: Can you make sure to hug a friend or loved one today and see how it feels?

The Secret Cell and Your Brain

Endothelial cells line the blood vessel compartments within the brain tissue AND the skull – both play ACTIVE roles in shaping health.

Vascular health required for brain health. It brings oxygen, nutrients, and takes away waste. Important functions even occur in the brain bony vault where the endothelial cells talk to tons of immune cells – this helps us respond to stress, fight infection, and stay healthy.  All of this requires blood flow from the major vessels (carotids and vertebrals) plus the little connections from our facial arteries. Blood vessels within the brain have an amazing capacity to regulate their own blood pressure. All of this is intricate. Of course the most common is to think about blood vessel health and stroke prevention. Beyond that though, stimulation of the brain from healthy exploration, novelty, connection with others’ – all contributes to brain health. Having a program that appreciates the role of all wellness elements (fitness, breathwork, mental support) through blood vessel health is key.

Today’s little challenge for improving brain health: Can you try doing something new today – a puzzle, talking to a stranger for a few minutes, learn how to play the ukelele?

The Secret Cell and Eyes

Endothelial cells work hard – sometimes they are in ‘plain sight’!

Did you know that eye specialists can look at our retina (back of the eye) and see the state of our blood vessel health? It’s true! Having annual looks at the retina, with pictures that can be compared is a good practice as it gives us an opportunity to contemplate our diet, our exercise, and our approach to blood vessel health. This amazing window is the only place in the body where a view is possible from the outside-in.

Today’s little challenge for helping our eyes: Can you make an appointment to have an eye specialist take a picture of your retina?

The Secret Cell and Our Heart

Endothelial cells are happiest when they are part of a healthy pump system.

Everyone knows about the heart. The blood vessels supplying the heart need to be clean and free of disease so that this special muscle can do its vital job. BUT, we also need the highways leading out from the heart to the rest of the body to be free and clean of disease. We need the heart to work WITH our blood vessels, not push against them – as it occurs when arteries stiffen, when blood pressure is high, and when there is plaque and calcium in the blood vessel wall. Ultimately, healthy vessels let the heart work its magic with fitness, performance, recovery, and prevention. What a beautiful circle, eh?

Today’s little challenge for your heart: Can you incorporate more movement today? Perhaps dance, walk, stretch, or cycle? Breakdancing was an Olympic sport for summer 2024 after all…!

The Secret Cell and Lungs

Endothelial cells breathe easy when we do.

Breathing is necessary for life. Our lungs let us get the oxygen we need. But they too cannot function without a proper set of blood vessels. Increasing our deep breaths and working with our autonomic nervous system through ancient practices has incredible benefits. Healthy vessels = healthy lungs = healthy breathwork. Smoking, vaping, and pollution are major environmental irritants to these powerhouse endothelial cells – it’s like kryptonite to Superman.

Today’s little challenge: How about trying 5 minutes of focused breathing by inhaling for 5 seconds, holding for 3 seconds, and exhaling for 7 seconds – do this for 5 minutes and notice how your lungs feel during this process. Importantly, see how you feel after you’re done. Are you a little more relaxed?

The Secret Cell and the Gut/Liver

Endothelial cells like a good healthy fresh meal too!

Nutrition is a complex topic. Good nutrition is even harder to grasp. Several organs work together to ensure nutritional needs are met under vastly different conditions. By providing our gut and liver with good blood flow and key micronutrients, the metabolic system of the body can flourish. Healthy nutrition, healthy weight, healthy bowels, healthy bugs co-existing with us and working to ensure cardiovascular health! More on what we eat and how it sets the stage for good versus bad bacteria in our gut – this can make a big difference in preventing cardiovascular disease!

Today’s little challenge: Can you avoid treats for just one day? Start by asking yourself whether a food holds any nutritional value – if the answer is zero, then choose “not this time”. See how it feels to have a day where you’ve made some healthier choices. This can be the beginning of an easy habit….

The Secret Cell and your Kidneys

Endothelial cells help us pee AND regulate blood pressure here….whaaaat?

We pee every day. And we need our kidneys to make this happen. Healthy blood vessels ensure our kidneys get the right blood flow, at the correct pressure, all the time. Protecting the vessels supplying the kidneys means we ensure our body can eliminate waste, regulate electrolytes, and keep things balanced. Keeping the kidney vessels healthy is a major route to keeping our blood pressure nicely controlled. That way we can keep doing the things we love!

Today’s little challenge: Can you limit salt today by avoiding processed foods, soups, and salted meals? One day can turn into more if you like!

The Secret Cell and Strength - Bones and muscle

Endothelial cells are your inner Olympic athletes.

Bones and muscle forms the musculoskeletal system. It’s our scaffold for everything. Form=function and here, this scaffold means we can walk, run, sit, hug, and dance. It’s stiff, but also flexible. The scaffold performs best when there is tension and stress placed on the system – just enough of course! But again, our bones and muscle have blood vessels supplying them too. This means that our healthy signals from exercise, mindfulness, and a healthy practice translate to strong and healthy musculoskeletal systems with the knock-on effects of improved immunity, improved physical and mental resilience, and enhanced ability to prevent injury and illness. Ask me more!

Today’s little challenge: Can you do 10 more push-ups and 20 more squats than your usual? Feel like Hercules yet?

The Secret Cell and Aging

Endothelial cells possess timeless secrets for healthy aging

No one escapes aging. However, we can ensure a lengthy healthspan by treating our blood vessel health as the single greatest edge to slowing aging out there. No other hack bypasses aging or improves healthspan without targeting (whether they know it or not) the blood vessels. By making sure our roadways are optimized through science, ancient practices, and metrics that give us feedback, we set up every organ for success. Better physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health when we use practices directed at the blood vessels.

Today’s little challenge: Can you eat fresh berries or drink green tea to get some anti-oxidants into your system today?

Secret Cells Are Worth Protecting

So now you know about the Secret Cell called the endothelial cell. By lining your 60,000 miles of blood vessels, these cells communicate with every system in the body and are constantly making deals to ensure your health. The endothelial cells are working across your 60,000 miles of blood vessels to bring you fuel, take out the ‘garbage’, strengthen the fence line, and to open doorways for molecules and cells to exchange from one place to another. They really are gatekeepers. Endothelial cells work hard to get rid of pollutants, excess sugar, and excess cholesterol. They keep every organ happy and healthy. Help them help you – these are your 60,000 miles to protect and preserve over a lifetime. Here at 60khealth we have designed a unique program that focuses on this concept to bring you a focused and lasting approach for optimal healthspan.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning new facts about the endothelial cell lining the 60,000 miles of blood vessels in your body. Our goal at 60khealth is simple – understand a little (or a lot if you really want) of the science, use a wearable device to track your metrics, and then have a personalized wellness program that transforms you physically and mentally to achieve optimal healthspan. Our 60khealth program works precisely because our founder has over 20 years understanding the science and medicine of health, she has a growth mindset, and believes we all have the capacity to realize our 60,000 miles of health opportunity. It’s a matter of intelligent wellness by design. So, let’s grow together…join the 60khealth community and start your transformation today!