Saturated fat and 'recent studies'....

In an article at: http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/15397/ Dietician Karen Collins suggests that 'recent studies' have indicated that saturated fats cause problems with insulin function hinting at insulin resistance. Where are the studies that she points to? If someone knows please let me know as the article isn't referenced. In fact the article states that (italics added for emphasis) studies suggest that saturated fat might initially decrease the secretion of insulin by the pancreas. I would ask why and by how much. If it's a minor reduction it may be a good thing as many people are probably borderline hyperinsulinaemic anyway due to a poor diet and lack of exercise that has decreased insulin sensitivity. The story goes on to say that this could lead to a subsequent over-production of insulin....Again I would ask how and why? Usually foods that cause a large release of insulin are responsible for the chain of events that leads to more insulin resistance and more insulin production. Personally I think this type of scaremongering without proper back up is the traditional dietetic community fighting a rear-guard battle against new trends in nutrition. I personally think that Omega6 fats and their overconsumption, along with the trend towards highly refined carbohydrate foods are the worst culprits in modern poor nutrition. Saturated fat is actually fairly innocuous in moderate amounts and many saturated fats including coconut oil, palm oil and beef fat are either heart neutral or heart healthy as well as having a slew of health benefits.

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Supersize me..again..

A cool study at the university of Wisconsin (http://www.innovations-report.de/html/berichte/studien/bericht-60332.html) has tried to evaluate some of the hidden financial costs of overeating and in particular 'upsizing' meals. They found that for the initial 67-cent average cost of upsizing a fast-food meal, and the subsequent 36-gram weight gain, the total cost for increased energy needs, gasoline and medical care would be between $4.06 and $7.72 for men and $3.10 and $4.53 for women, depending on body type.
So for an additional 73% calories (for only 17 percent increase in price) other costs drive the price of that meal up by more than 123%.
Unlike many natural health practitioners and nutritionists I don't look at the fast food joints (or soft drink comnpanies for that matter) as being bad. I don't even see them as an adversary. In fact I LOVE hamburgers! Bu just because I love them doesn't mean that I eat them often or even occasionally because I have a little thing called....'CHOICE!'. I choose to eat well most of the time so that I feel better, perform better...and of course look in shape too! If someone chooses to eat poorly all the time then they must at some stage accept the consequences for that. For the rest of us we can have our cake and eat it too....but only occasionally as a treat - which for health, wellness and vitality seems like an easy compromise to make.

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Too many supplements?

I have written extensively about the real lack of conclusive evidence out there for for the benefits of taking many multi-vitamin and mineral supplements. All too often we just don't know if what we are taking is going to be beneficial for us, simply do nothing or even be dangerous. We are all so different that it is hard to be prescriptive. Sure I prescribe some things but overall it is very low and is restricted to fish oils and occasionally protein and recovery drinks. Check out www.fitnet.co.nz for a great article from Reuters about recent studies done on supplements.

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Sun - Good or Bad?

With the northern summer well on it's way, the debate has rekindled in the USA as to the value of sun exposure. On one side you have scientists and practitioners extolling the virtues of low-moderate levels of sun exposure for adequate vitamin D production, and on the other side those claiming that the risk of developing sun cancer is too great and that it is better to get vitamin D from supplements.
I am a BIG believer in moderate sun exposure each and every day. Vitamin D is so important for optimal health that I believe the risk of non-exposure is too great. We must of course always be sure to NEVER burn in the sun though!
As we in the south move into our winter it is important to make sure we continue to receive enough Vitamin D. To find out more about Vitamin D and beating the winter blues visit my article here:
http://www.fitnet.co.nz/article.cfm?id=27

To find out more about melanoma and how we can protect ourselves click here:
http://www.irule.co.nz/cms/html/modules.php?name=IRuleHome&file=article&topicid=2.3.35.16&sid=604

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Bodybuilding Nutrition

I had an email from a FITNET Team member asking whether I write nutrition plans for bodybuilding competition preparation......The answer is YES I DO!
I am lucky enough that in my nearly 10 years of consulting I have been able to work with elite level endurance and power athletes and people with chronic illnesses. This work is extremely rewarding but equally rewarding for me is working with pre-competition bodybuilders as it is an extremely technical process fine tuning someones macro and micronutrients and particularly their carb-water-electrolyte balance in the final weeks. In fact I have become known for bringing my guys and gals in lean, hard and dry.
I have guided hundreds of bodybuilders over the years to World and National Titles.
Will Garrick - A former Natural Mr Olympia and South Pacific Natural Body Building Champion has also come on board with FITNET and is guiding to several of our athletes and bodybuilders to their best shape ever! Drop us a line at info@fitnet.co.nz if you'd like more info.

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So Atkins did throw out the baby with the bath water!!!

As those of you who read my articles in various publications and have been to my seminars know - I often say that Dr Atkins 'threw out the baby with the bath water'....By this I mean that while pioneering the mainstream use and knowledge of low carbohydrate diets and doing a valuable service in turning around some of the traditional dietetic dogma, it probably isn't necessary for most people to eliminate carbs altogether and go into a state of ketosis. For me carbohydrates are purely dependant on activity level. If you looked at one of my plans for an elite level endurance athlete you would think that I'm a believer in fairly high carb diets....however my plans for a sedentary office worker would appear to be just the opposite! It's horses for courses...
A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/83/5/1055) found that ketogenic and non-ketogenic low carb diets were equally effective at reducing body fat and insulin resistance.
To find out how to have me create personalised nutrion plan to suit YOUR goals email me cliff@fitnet.co.nz

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Irule Adventure Sport Clothing

Hi all! Irule Adventure Clothing is hosting another 'Big Weekend' at the base of beautiful Fox Peak in South Canterbury on July 29th and 30th. Last years weekend was a great success and this years will be even better! With advice from top level athletes, group training sessions, strength coaching and nutrition and lifestyle advioce from yours truly...as well as a mini adventure event it is a 'must do' for keen novice-intermediate adventure racers and multi-sporters. Check out www.irule.co.nz for more info.

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