Excellent book/article on nutrition

[Wrecker]

Originally Posted by Nagaredama

8. Insulin is the primary regulator of fat storage. When insulin levels are elevated either chronically or after a meal we accumulate fat in our fat tissue. When insulin levels fall, we release fat from our fat tissue and use it for fuel.

Why then, if you define diabetes as a chronically high glucose level due to insulin insufficiency, are a large amount of the type II diabetic patients overweight. And, why is this condition usually correct when people lose weight with dietary controls, as opposed to it falling of as it should with a chronically low insulin level?

I know the debate between cause/effect of type II diabetes in overweight people is often debated, however, if you claim that the low levels cause fat to be burned, then, regardless of the cause/effect, the type II patient should just lose weight.

[Jay]

I can only speak for myself, but I was 310lbs about 6 months ago. I was borderline diabetic and had high blood pressure. Prior to June of last year,I killed myself working out 3 to 5 times a week with no weight loss. Well I went to a new doctor and he suggested cutting back on refined sugars and carbs. I followed his advise and am down to 255lbs. I am no longer borderline diabetic and my bp is now normal. My energy level has increased and overall I feel much better. I had my doubts, but I can not argue with the results.

[sdyeti]

Did you also try to alter your diet in any way while you were doing exercise, prior to cutting out the refined sugar?

Originally Posted by Slashusc

I can only speak for myself, but I was 310lbs about 6 months ago. I was borderline diabetic and had high blood pressure. Prior to June of last year,I killed myself working out 3 to 5 times a week with no weight loss. Well I went to a new doctor and he suggested cutting back on refined sugars and carbs. I followed his advise and am down to 255lbs. I am no longer borderline diabetic and my bp is now normal. My energy level has increased and overall I feel much better. I had my doubts, but I can not argue with the results.

[allison]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Did you also try to alter your diet in any way while you were doing exercise, prior to cutting out the refined sugar?

I think that those of us who are fairly fit, train like crazy, eat right... it's more difficult for us to cut out refined sugars/carbs (how much are we really eating anyway? I try to cut back, but I'm kind of at the minimum I can be and still get in enough calories period).

We've already cut out soda, fast food, chips, cookies, etc. If that is all you eat, then yeah. Going from Big Mac's and jumbo fries to chicken breasts and salad is really going to alter your weight and overall health.

[Wrecker]

Do you think that you cut back on calories when you cut back on the refined sugars and carbs? Or that you were more consciousious about your meal choices after he discussed the proper way to eat? (SDYeti beat me to it)

When you're diabetic, or even borderline diabetic, you should be watching those things anyway (even though "borderline diabetes" is not a medical diagnosis). If your previous doc didn't talk to you about your diet when telling you about your "borderline diabetes", then he let you down.

I believe that proper diet and exercise are the keys to healthy lifestyle. I just don't believe you can do it by cutting out one magic weight food--nothing is easy--eat healthy, avoid "convenience" foods, and empty calories, along with moderation is key (if you overeat meat/protein, you will gain weight). And, no one diet is perfect for all the needs of everyone.

I'll even go so far as to say that this theory may apply to some people--hormonal imbalance can contribute to the overweight status of some people (look at the affects of the thyroid on weight), but to apply it to all is just absurd.

[Pain Freak]

I read the whole thing and my head exploded!


I don't think there is a universal cure for obesity. I think it's number of reasons and each case is different.

My sister is a nutritionist at a major hospital and helps select menus for various patients, she tells us that if people are looking for an easy way to lose weight, it'll never happen. I sent her this thread and she tells me most of the info here is dated and has been discussed years ago, and still is.

She also tells me there are clinical studies being done at this time that will revoluntionize dieting, not a magic pill, you'll still have to watch how much you eat, but obesity could be cut as much as 50% within the next 25 years.

[Nagaredama]

Originally Posted by Wrecker

Why then, if you define diabetes as a chronically high glucose level due to insulin insufficiency, are a large amount of the type II diabetic patients overweight. And, why is this condition usually correct when people lose weight with dietary controls, as opposed to it falling of as it should with a chronically low insulin level?

I know the debate between cause/effect of type II diabetes in overweight people is often debated, however, if you claim that the low levels cause fat to be burned, then, regardless of the cause/effect, the type II patient should just lose weight.

First I am not the author Gary Taubes. I merely posted the articles to stir debate and thought. Especially with the thread on losing weight.

There are also other complex metabolic and hormonal effects to keep in mind. I believe Mr. Taubes is referring to people without Type II diabetes. Having such a condition would presumably changes this quite a bit.

My general eating philosophy is to eat things as close to their natural state as possible. Rather than eat foods which have been changed through agriculture at a rate faster than what human evolution can adapt for. Maybe 4 million years we'll eat no meat at all.

[Jay]

sdyetiDid you also try to alter your diet in any way while you were doing exercise, prior to cutting out the refined sugar?


I did alter my diet before cutting the carbs, but nothing seemed to work.

WreckerDo you think that you cut back on calories when you cut back on the refined sugars and carbs? Or that you were more consciousious about your meal choices after he discussed the proper way to eat?

I would say there was a substantial decrease in calories, mainly from the lack carbs. The protein also seems to fill me up faster and stay with me longer so my portions have become smaller. I also try and have 6 small meals a day. In addition to that I find it much easier to eat. Prior to cutting back on the carbs I was constantly hungary. I was trying lowfat/low calorie eating plans. Now if I am hungary I eat. I just make sure to stay away from sugars and carbs. I eat lots of veggie's and protein with a little fruit mixed in. Overall I have made a lifestlye change and my health is much better for it.

[Nagaredama]

Originally Posted by Slashusc

I can only speak for myself, but I was 310lbs about 6 months ago. I was borderline diabetic and had high blood pressure. Prior to June of last year,I killed myself working out 3 to 5 times a week with no weight loss. Well I went to a new doctor and he suggested cutting back on refined sugars and carbs. I followed his advise and am down to 255lbs. I am no longer borderline diabetic and my bp is now normal. My energy level has increased and overall I feel much better. I had my doubts, but I can not argue with the results.

Congrats and keep it up!

[sdyeti]

Slashusc...sounds like you made a lot of smart changes to your lifestyle, in terms of diet. Kudos!

I'm sure some of these changes (in addition to reduced the refined carbs) are also helping, such as eating smaller portions several times a day to keep your blood sugar more level.

Originally Posted by Slashusc

sdyetiDid you also try to alter your diet in any way while you were doing exercise, prior to cutting out the refined sugar?


I did alter my diet before cutting the carbs, but nothing seemed to work.

WreckerDo you think that you cut back on calories when you cut back on the refined sugars and carbs? Or that you were more consciousious about your meal choices after he discussed the proper way to eat?

I would say there was a substantial decrease in calories, mainly from the lack carbs. The protein also seems to fill me up faster and stay with me longer so my portions have become smaller. I also try and have 6 small meals a day. In addition to that I find it much easier to eat. Prior to cutting back on the carbs I was constantly hungary. I was trying lowfat/low calorie eating plans. Now if I am hungary I eat. I just make sure to stay away from sugars and carbs. I eat lots of veggie's and protein with a little fruit mixed in. Overall I have made a lifestlye change and my health is much better for it.

[dudevf1]

It is similar to the Atkins approach.

It's an interesting topic, not as black and white as some might think.

And regarding the comments about exercise, it's true with certain assumptions. That is to say, hold all else constant and if you expend more calories through exercise than you take in through eating then you would starve. This is an obvious truth but the way that he words it makes it sound sensational and contrary to medical advice regarding exercise. Think about slave labor camps where people were worked hard and fed very little, what's the result? The same if we all stop eating--period.

I actually appreciate this points in that they underscore how often medical advice is sugar coated and dumbed down because people are so fearful that the general public cannot handle all of the qualifiers.

There is a fantastic book called "Eat Drink and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to healthy Eating". The author of this book doesn't give you B.S. warnings for 2 year olds and he brings the entire subject to life. Highly recommend this if you want to learn more about healthy eating.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

She also tells me there are clinical studies being done at this time that will revoluntionize dieting, not a magic pill, you'll still have to watch how much you eat, but obesity could be cut as much as 50% within the next 25 years.

It's really simple. If you are severely overweight, stop freaking eating crap food and start exercising.

The end.

[Impy]

Originally Posted by allison

We've already cut out ... cookies.

Well, not all of us.

Although I did give up cookies for lent. It has been the longest 2 days ever. They make fresh cookies everyday at my work.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Impy

Well, not all of us.

Although I did give up cookies for lent. It has been the longest 2 days ever. They make fresh cookies everyday at my work.

I'm not usually around fresh baked cookies Don't worry... the next time my grandma makes me a batch, you can assume I will eat them!

[Wrecker]

I gave up giving up things for lent

They make fresh baked cookies here, too--that's why I NEVER go to the cafeteria

[Impy]

Originally Posted by dudevf1

There is a fantastic book called "Eat Drink and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to healthy Eating". The author of this book doesn't give you B.S. warnings for 2 year olds and he brings the entire subject to life. Highly recommend this if you want to learn more about healthy eating.

Another GREAT book is "You on a diet:The owners Manual for Waist Management". This is a great book, even if you aren't trying to lost any weight - it goes through the physiology of food and digestion and is really well written, and scientifically on target as well. Link here.

Also extremely interesting and worth a read is "Mindless Eating: Why we eat more than we think" (link here). This is a fun book - it is written by a guy who has done much of the research on what cues people to eat - many of his experiments you may already be aware of, (how you will eat more from a bigger plate, etc.) Really a brilliant book.

[DDB@OCR]

(baring any glaring and gigantic medical issues)

I'm lmao@ all these 'Johnny-come-lately-first it's bad-then it's not-then it is again' books and articles. And the idiots that subscribe to them.

You show me a subtitue for common sense, a balanced diet and even just the minimal amount excercise and I'll buy it.

These freakin' book's and fad diets and bullshite suppliments are a load of plop and don't do diddly other than throw your metabolism a curve ball for a while. You need a long term plan- and it's called COMMON SENSE!

Too much 'I want instant-gratification!' nowadays.
No one wants to work for their gains anymore.

[Impy]

Originally Posted by DDB@OCR

(
These freakin' book's are a load of plop .

Really, you should read the books above before you start assuming what you THINK are in them. You might be pleasantly surprised.