Facts on Fats, Carbohydrates and Insulin Resistance

We have had a huge response to the previous newsletter on metabolism and weight loss which focuses on effective weight loss by changing the ratios of fat, proteins and carbohydrates while ensuring you get sufficient nutrient dense food. ( lots of green leafy vegetables)

Note: when taking herbal extracts be aware that these can react with medication. It pays to check with your doctor prior to taking them. Here are some cautions:

• Do not take gingko if you are on blood thinners. You will know if you are overdoing it if you notice that you bleed more easily, ie gums or bleeding noses, bruising more than usual.
• Stop taking gingko if you are scheduled for surgery as the thinner blood may complicate surgical procedures.
• Do not take St John’s Wort if you are on the pill or life supporting medication as this herb will stimulate the liver to excrete any xeno-substances(drugs)
• Do not take St John’s Wort if you are on prescription anti-depressants.
• Do not take valerian if you are on blood pressure medication. Valerian lowers blood pressure naturally by acting as a vasodilator.
• Do not take licorice if you have high blood pressure.

Interesting Weight Loss Experiment: (Conducted by researchers Gaston Pawan and Alan Keckwich (1956)

The experiment involved 3 groups of overweight subjects selected by the researchers and  given the following diets. Their energy output was monitored to be the same for each group.

The three groups were permitted 1000 calories per day

• Group 1 fed 90% carbohydrates
• Group 2 fed 90% protein
• Group 3 fed 90% fat

Results were as follows:

Group 1 gained 0.24 lb (0.11kg) per day

Group 2 lost 0.6 lb per day (0.27kg) per day

Group 3 lost 0.9 lb per day (0.41 kg) per day

The theory is that as long as fat is coming in, that there is just enough fat to convince the brain you are not starving but not quite enough to meet your energy needs so your internal fat stores get used to make up the deficit. Adequate levels of dietary fat lower leptin levels, assures the hypothalamus that there is plenty of food and this keeps the metabolism running smoothly.

NOTE: Be aware that this was a controlled experiment and that it is not advisable to go on a 90% fat diet. You will go beyond ketosis to a dangerous state called ketoacidosis. Normal ketosis from a low carbohydrate nutrient dense diet is regarded as safe. Some say ‘desirable’ as it means the body is burning fat for energy instead of carbohydrates. The ‘Paleo’ diet focuses on using ketones for energy.

A diet high in Non-fibrous Carbohydrates including refined sugars and why you should not be including them in your diet.

• Makes you a glucose/sugar burner instead of a fat burner.
• Makes every carbohydrate consumed not immediately required for turbo-charged anaerobic, converted to triglycerides and stored as fat.
• Raises tryglycerides and blood fats- a risk for heart disease.
• Raises insulin levels which makes you fat, leads to insulin resistance and increases the risk of diabetes and metabolic disorders.
• Raises leptin (fat sensor, a hormone secreted by fat cells) levels. Leptin resistance has the same risks as insulin resistance.
• Causes glycation -sugars in the bloodstream react with proteins and fats causing them to deteriorate.
• Raises systemic inflammatory levels in your body.
• Will weaken immune function.
• Will amplify the negative effects of too much cortisol caused by stress.
• Increase the likelihood of yeast overgrowth, toxic bowel and impaired liver function to detoxify the body.
• Lead to the degradation of telomeres( sequences of nucleic acids responsible for the aging ‘clocking’ mechanism.

In other words cut down on all processed food, white bread, refined flour (cut wheat products out if you are gluten intolerant as our new strains of wheat do not have the buffers that were present in ancient grains) cereals, potato and corn chips, sweetened beverages biscuits etc. Again this is an area we have control over particularly if you are prepared to grow your own food.