Thursday, February 17, 2011

Sugar: The Bitter Truth

In his lecture, available on YouTube, Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, explores the damage caused by sugary foods. He argues that fructose (too much) and fiber (not enough) appear to be cornerstones of the obesity epidemic through their effects on insulin. 
"Dr. Lustig is a nationally-recognized authority in the field of neuroendocrinology, with a specific emphasis on the regulation of energy balance by the central nervous system. He is currently investigating the contribution of biochemical, neural, hormonal, and genetic influences in the expression of the current obesity epidemic both in children and adults. "

Statistical Review as a Reality Check


In the painful analysis called BMI (Body Mass Index) or Quetelet Index, I have not been of appropriate weight since 'ever'. Now I am still within the clinically obese category and will be for the rest of the month. To actually leave the obese category I would need to be at a weight I have not been in my entire adult life, or at least not since college. To be below overweight I suppose I would need to regress back to high school, where, according to this index, I may have been OK.
 It is hard for me to accept that I have not been 'OK' at my present height 'ever' according to the Belgian polymath Adolphe Quetelet developer of "social physics".
\mathrm{BMI} = \frac{\mbox{mass} \ \mbox{(kg)}}{\left( \mbox{height}(\mathrm{m})\right)^2}

At half my present weight I would be considered 'NORMAL'.

Progress, Concern, and Home Work

 

After one full week, on this Low-Carb life-style, I am down 5 kilo. A routine scheduled visit to my doctor had him complimenting my loss... yet increasing my blood pressure medication. I have been increasing my exercise (from zero to 'some' on my treadmill) and playing with my body chemistry, so there will be changes. I will go along with the medication this month, as I drop more weight. But my medium term goal is 'to do without'.

Here are the two books I am presently reading in this quest to understand the greater Low-Carb community of Primal/Paleo practioners.