EP11: 10 Keys to Optimize Inner Terrain with Steve Adams

Are you a highly driven professional, CEO, or entrepreneur who knows that health is the first wealth? If so, you're in the right place. Today, we're diving deep into the concept of optimizing your inner terrain – a holistic approach to health that can revolutionize your well-being and performance.

While this approach has its merits, it often falls short in truly optimizing our health and preventing chronic diseases.

Think about it: How many times have you pushed through fatigue, stress, or nagging health issues, only to find yourself running on fumes? The truth is, neglecting your inner terrain can have serious consequences:

As Adams warns, "The fastest way to derail all of that is to get sick." Your health is the foundation upon which all your success and happiness is built. Ignore it at your peril.

Fortunately, there's a better way. By adopting a proactive, bottom-up approach to health, you can optimize your inner terrain and unlock your full potential. Here are the 10 keys to making it happen:

1. Balance Your Blood Sugar

Think of your blood sugar like a rollercoaster. Too many ups and downs can lead to insulin resistance and eventually diabetes. The key is to smooth out those spikes:

"You can improve your a1c, you can improve your insulin resistance over time through lifestyle interventions. And so to do that, you've got to balance out the spikes in your blood sugar, and that requires, you know, a typically a change in how you eat."

Consider adopting a low-glycemic or ketogenic diet to help stabilize your blood sugar levels.

2. Balance Your Microbiome

Your gut is like a bustling city of beneficial bacteria. When it's in harmony, your whole body thrives. Adams notes:

"Up to 70% of your immune function is rooted in your gut. It has a huge impact on your production of serotonin and dopamine."

Focus on eating a diverse range of fiber-rich foods and consider adding probiotic-rich foods or supplements to your diet.

3. Establish Hormone Balance

Think of your hormones as the conductors of your body's orchestra. When they're in sync, everything runs smoothly. Work with a qualified practitioner to test and optimize your hormone levels.

4. Manage Stress Properly

Humans, unlike zebras, can create stress in our minds through rumination and anticipation. As Adams explains:

"Our body doesn't know the difference between imagined and real when it comes to the response to stress."

Develop a daily practice of diaphragmatic breathing or meditation to manage stress proactively.

5. Enhance Mental and Emotional Well-being

Your mental and emotional health is like the weather in your internal ecosystem. When it's sunny and clear, everything flourishes. Prioritize activities that boost your mood and reduce anxiety.

6. Reduce Toxin Burden

Imagine your body as a filter. Over time, it can get clogged with environmental toxins. Adams points out:

"In the 1950s, we had about 10,000 known toxins. Now we're up to 80 to 85,000 known toxins."

Be mindful of the products you use and consider regular detoxification practices.

7. Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Think of inflammation as a fire in your body. A little can be helpful, but too much can cause widespread damage. Adams shares his personal success:

"My c reactive protein was in the mid sixes. Our doctors like to have it below 0.9. Mine today is 0.5. So I was able to lower it 600% just through lifestyle interventions, no prescription drugs."

Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle to quench the flames.

8. Make Epigenetic and Nutrigenomic Modifications

Your genes are like a blueprint, but your lifestyle choices determine which parts of that blueprint get built. Adams explains:

"You can practice epigenetic medicine, meaning understand what your gene markers are, understand what the literature says about how to support those genes either through lifestyle or supplementation modifications, and then do those things and follow through on it."

Consider getting genetic testing to personalize your health approach.

9. Maximize Your Immune System

Your immune system is your body's army. The stronger it is, the better it can defend against invaders. Strengthen it through a combination of nutrition, sleep, stress management, and targeted supplementation.

10. Enhance Blood Circulation

Think of your circulatory system as the highway network of your body. The better the traffic flow, the more efficiently your body can function. Prioritize daily movement and exercise to keep things running smoothly.

Remember, as Adams emphasizes:

"If you want 1% results, you got to be willing to do what 99% aren't willing to do."

Are you ready to join the 1% who prioritize their health and reap the rewards? Here are three steps you can take today:

1. Schedule a comprehensive health assessment with a functional medicine practitioner.

2. Implement one of the 10 keys discussed above into your daily routine.

3. Invest in your health education by reading books like "The Metabolic Approach to Cancer" by Dr. Nasha Winters.