In an exciting development (to a Nutritionist!) Sweden has issued new dietary guidelines for obesity based on a two-year study that assessed 16,000 studies on diet and nutrition related to obesity.
Discarding the “fat causes heart disease” dogma of recent years, the ten doctors on the committee decided that the science spoke to the benefits of Low Carb-High Fat diets. http://healthimpactnews.com/2013/sweden-becomes-first-western-nation-to-reject-low-fat-diet-dogma-in-favor-of-low-carb-high-fat-nutrition/
I hope that other countries will follow, if Governments feel they must get involved in dietary advice. Diabetes, heart disease and cancer were rare before red meat; whole dairy and butter were standard fare. Low fat diets have increased sugar consumption tremendously so that the average American consumes more than 73 pounds per year.
What medical science calls Diabetes can be thought of as disruption in normal metabolic function, and the delicate balance that keeps the nervous system/brain, as well as the hormonal system, able to operate. These body systems are governed by the correct amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Mark Bittman, author of “Food Matters”, discusses the studies that point to the sugar consumption, and not obesity, that leads to Diabetes. http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/its-the-sugar-folks/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=1
The real problem with sugar is that it is just too concentrated. Just a small amount starts a cascade of adaptation responses in the body, and any excess is quickly shunted to the liver to be turned into fat. Our bodies cannot support our appetites for the white stuff. And modern white flour products are as deadly as cake, turning into excess sugar when broken down by the digestive process, and sending blood sugar levels out of control.
Too much food of any kind, even healthy fats, causes physiological stress on the body and stretches the ability of the body to cope with the extra. The giant portions served by restaurants only raise more cravings and encourage the appetite to demand more. Studies show that lower calorie consumption is linked to longevity.
The good news is that the body also adapts to lower sugar consumption and lower intake of concentrated foods.
Spring is a great time to do a detoxification program and break the sugar/bread habit. Come in for a free 15-minute consultation to find out more and enjoy $25 off a detox program. I have seen cholesterol drop 40 points on a detox program. Expect to lose bloat, congestion, fatigue, and skin problems.
It might be difficult to feel passionate about your health, but body function depends on it. So, essentially it is about how much fun you want to have in life, and for how long. It is hard to enjoy yourself when you are tired, in pain or in need of medication. So, think of a detox program as routine maintenance, like changing the oil in your car. If you don’t change the oil, you would not be surprised if the engine was affected adversely. A detoxification program may help your body hum again.