More food for thought

[Bill Glasheen]

By now, many of you probably have heard of this in the news. Study: Atkins diet good for cholesterol I have several things to say about this:

1) At least someone is looking for real EVIDENCE that Atkins diet is safe and effective.

2) Not so fast.... Apparently in the study, the people on the Atkins regimen were taking fish oil capsules. Fish oil (repleat with omega-3 fatty acids) are known to increase the levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Consequently the gains in lipid profile may have had nothing to do with eating a bunch of fatty steaks, bacon, or pork chops.

Yes, someone can eat a high protein, high fat diet with low carbs and achieve a better weight level. But there's a better way to do it, and it doesn't come from eating any protein you damned well please.

Fish works - particularly if not fried. Chicken works. A little olive oil is fine. A few eggs here and there won't hurt you... But if you're going to go this high protein/fat path, you MUST deny yourself most of the carbohydrates.

The biggest problems working a diet like this is getting all the vitamins one would acquire from fruits and vegetables. This kind of diet is best undertaken with the guidance of a good physician.

Kidney stones also MAY be a problem....

More and bigger studies are under way. Meanwhile, Dr. Atkins is looking forward to the day that he MIGHT be able to say "I told you so." We shall see.

- Bill

[Steve]

And as Bill has said before, be careful once you go off the diet! My experience with the Atkins diet was not positive in the long run. The weight does come off quicker, but it goes back on even moreso. I dropped from a high of 190 to 160 lbs. quickly, but felt weak and sluggish. When I "abandoned" the diet I shot up to 205 lbs. - 15 over my previous high!!!

The only sensible advice is to eat healthier, eat less and exercise more. Food for thought.......

[Gene DeMambro]

Hi Steve,

The weak and sluggish part may be due to the rapid weight loss to begin with. They are classic symptoms of loosing too much too fast,

Hi Bill,

(1) Nutritionsists will say that five servings of fish a week are ideal (the USA Today article says once a day). But the EPA will tell you that more than two servings of fish a week are dangerous_too much mercury contamination (Note to all: Remember that next time you decide to vote for a pro-business, anti-environmental candidate ).

So, if we should be eating fish almost every day, but can't 'cause of the contamination, how do we get our fish oils?

(2)

Yes, someone can eat a high protein, high fat diet with low carbs and achieve a better weight level. But there's a better way to do it, and it doesn't come from eating any protein you damned well please.

What are some of the better ways?

(3)

The biggest problems working a diet like this is getting all the vitamins one would acquire from fruits and vegetables

Isn't this a problem with all weight-loss diets? Even Dr. Atkins himself admonishes everyone to take their vitamins, 'cause his diet doesn't provide all. So we take a Centrum daily.

[M. Kelly]

I personally think the Zone diet is a much healthy way to go.

[M. Kelly]

That should read " a much more healthy way to go."

[Bill Glasheen]

So, if we should be eating fish almost every day, but can't 'cause of the contamination, how do we get our fish oils?

Not to wory, man, not all fish is created equal. Unfortunately the most common fish consumed by most (tuna) is relatively high in heavy metals. Salmon is good, as are sardines. There are others... I'll scout around and find the list of good vs. the bad.

In the mean time, I though I'd share the supplement that I use. It is the only brand I have found that is tested for heavy metals and PCBs, and guarantees to be low in both.

Spectrum Norwegian Fish Oil

What are some of the better ways?

IF you are going to do Atkins, then eat fat free sources of meat and get your fat from "good" sources like fish oil, nut oils, and olive oil. Make sure you take a multivitamin/multimineral, drink LOTS of fluids, and stay in touch with a doctor about your progress. The jury's still out on this diet,

I'm with Dr. Kelly. I personally live by a modified [url=ahttp://www.zoneperfect.com/Site/Content/index.asp]Zone diet[/url] - the diet based on 40/30/30 calories from carbs/fats/proteins. (Also check This site) Control portion size. Eat small, frequent meals. Stay away from the high glycemic index carbohydrates that spike your insulin. Eat quality fats only (mentioned above). Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Drink lots of water.

I believe even Atkins ecourages people EVENTUALLY to gravitate to a Zone or near-Zone diet.

Did I say drink lots of water???

One thing people need to remember is that there's a difference between what you want to eat to lose weight, and what an athlete wants to eat to maintain energy levels and maximize performance. Back when I was in college and was on the "seefood" diet (when I see food, I eat it), I would occasionally inadvertently do an Atkins diet because I'm a carnivore and don't particularly care for carbs. Know what happened? I often would "bonk" in workouts. It would get so bad that it would affect my ability to think and even to talk. Wow...imagine that!

- Bill

[Ted Dinwiddie]

One thing people need to remember is that there's a difference between what you want to eat to lose weight, and what an athlete wants to eat to maintain energy levels and maximize performance.

- Bill

This is where a person like me, who LOVES food, LOVES to work out, and HATES his body fat level gets all tripped up.

But, the last time I was at the MD for something or another, he remarked very positively at my BP and pulse and my cholesterol seems to stay around 150ish and has a good ratio. So, maybe I ain't ever gonna look like Jean-Claude Van Damme, but things aren't tragic.

[gmattson]

Health Advice Worth Reading

Shelly Dunn sent an E-Mail to his doctor and asked him some very detailed questions about health and nutrition. He had some excellent advice...

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true? A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable slop.

Q: Is beer or wine bad for me? A: Look, it goes to the earlier point about fruits and vegetables. As we all know, scientists divide everything in the world into three categories: animal, mineral, and vegetable. We all know that beer and wine are not animal, and they are not on the periodic table of elements, so that only leaves one thing, right? My advice: Have a burger and a beer and enjoy your liquid vegetables.

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio? A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program? A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain... Good.

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you? A: You're not listening. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: What's the secret to healthy eating? A: Thicker gravy.

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle? A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me? A: Are you crazy? Hello... Cocoa beans?!... Another vegetable! It's the best feel good food around!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. Have a cookie... flour is a veggie!

One more thing... "When life hands you lemons, ask for a bottle of tequila and salt.

[Bill Glasheen]

This reminds me a bit of some of the "advice" given by a recent tongue-in-cheek author on how to be successful. For example, if you want to be successful then be kind to people that crap on you, and be mean to those that are good to you.

The funny thing about it is that people actually DO these stupid things...

- Bill