Are you in the 60%? The 60 Year Dirty Little Secret

NAPLES, Fla. - June 11, 2014 - PRLog -- There has been much publicity given to the University of Alabama study that concluded that skipping breakfast (and fasting or going for hours without eating ) has no impact on weight loss.  I read about this study on the Endocrinology page of Medscape.  I wrote the following comment, but was informed it would not be published as it was too lengthy.  I asked to have the article published as an article and received no response.  I have decided to publish the comment.

This is the study:  http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Obesity/46175

Note that authors of the study reported financial relationships with Kraft Foods, Kellogg Company, Cooking Light Magazine, Quaker, the Dairy Research Institute, the Egg Board, Global Dairy Platform, Arla, Cargill, McDonald's, General Mills, Walt Disney Company, Retrofit, Nutrisystem, MetaProteomics, Dunkin Donuts, Au Bon Pain, Bay State Milling Company, and Post Cereals.

My reply to the “Skipping Breakfast is Not a Problem” Study

The University of Alabama’s study concluded that skipping breakfast does not have an impact on weight loss.  My mission is to publicize that this study does not apply to over 60% of the adult population struggling with weight.

A Well Kept Secret:

Over 60% of the adult population is in some stage of metabolic syndrome.   MOST are unaware that they have this condition.  By virtue of genes plus environmental stressors, 60% of adults eventually experience a gradual increase in body fat (especially around the middle),  as well as increases in blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar,  fat deposits in the liver and low Vitamin D levels.

These 60% also experience similar symptoms like gradually increasing fatigue, unsuccessful weight loss on low calorie diets that “used to work”, inability to focus and concentrate,  cravings for carbohydrate foods, belly fat, muffin top,  afternoon energy slump, trouble sleeping, decreased libido, racing thoughts, etc.

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a slow and progressive syndrome caused by an imbalance of the fat gain hormone; insulin.  It is worsened by high carbohydrate intake, inadequate physical activity, stress, illness, pain, surgery, certain medications (like steroids and beta blockers), and even the normal hormonal changes that occur during puberty, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause.

Metabolism A vs Metabolism B

For ease, I refer to metabolic syndrome as “METABOLISM B.”  The fact is, over 60% of the population is born with the genes for metabolic syndrome.  Given the right “environmental stressors” during their lifetime, they eventually develop full blown Metabolism B.  It is evidenced by their body fat, lab values,

Less than 40% of the population (those who don’t have the genes for metabolic syndrome)  have what I refer to as Metabolism A.  Those with Met A can lose weight and keep it off following a low calorie, low fat diet as they do not have insulin imbalance.

The Danger in NOT Knowing you have Insulin Imbalance or Met B:

The following conditions and diseases are linked to insulin imbalance.  The millions of people who don’t know that they have Metabolism B and if they do know,  don’t know what to do about it, are susceptible to the following diseases:

pre diabetes

type 2 diabetes

gestational diabetes

hypoglycemia

overweight

obesity

NAFLD (fatty liver not caused by alcohol)

hypertension

hyperlipidemia

Vitamin D deficiency

breast cancer

prostate cancer

ovarian cancer

colon cancer

skin cancer

depression

anxiety disorder

GERD

sleep apnea

osteoporosis and osteopenia

PCOS

problems with fertility

Alzheimer's disease

Wouldn’t it be Incredible?

Wouldn't it be incredible if the trillions of dollars of pharmaceuticals prescribed for the aforementioned illnesses could be cut in half (or more) by acknowledging and promoting the correct lifestyle change (diet and exercise) that would normalize insulin release, decrease or eliminate insulin resistance, and promote hormonal equilibrium?

Wouldn't it be incredible if medical professionals and associations got out of the dark ages promoting the "calories in/calories out" mantra that is simply not valid for the majority of people with weight issues and weight related medical conditions?

Wouldn't it be incredible if those of us who understand the mechanisms involved in insulin- related disease would promote the diet and exercise program designed to match the metabolism of over 60% of the population struggling with health issues related to insulin?

Why can't medical academia and professionals admit that calories in / calories out approach does not work for 60% of people....including 60% of their peers?  Is it embarrassment?  Are we afraid to admit that a mistake was made back in the late 50's/early 60's when the calories in/calories out, low fat/low cholesterol diet was crowned the gold standard?

A  Huge Deception began over 60 years ago

Medicine is not black/white science and research never stops. "We now know that the majority of people with weight issues progressively produce excess fat gain hormone (insulin)". There you go, that’s a simple sentence that will “cover” the errors in diet advice given over the past 60 years.  A calorie based diet does NOT correct insulin imbalance.  A low fat diet is naturally higher in carbohydrate and that promotes insulin release.  A low calorie diet does help 40% of the overweight population lose weight, but 60% are getting fatter and sicker.

Generations Harmed by Withheld Information?

Is the fact that improper diet advice has been dispensed to generations of the population predisposing them to becoming overweight, obese, chronically ill, and tied to a myriad of medications a crime?  Back in the day when metabolic syndrome was recognized, the medical associations needed to stand up, admit the findings, and correct the teaching.

It’s now 2014 and what you are learning is rarely spoken of.  The world turns and we get fatter and sicker.  The life expectancy of children born today is predicted to be shorter than the life span of their parents!

Over 150 million people in the US alone have metabolic syndrome, pre diabetes, or type 2 diabetes.  Metabolic conditions and obesity are at epidemic levels and the epidemics have happened ever since we bought into low calorie, low fat diets for those with insulin related issues.

Intrigued by this article?  Stay tuned for Part 2.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of my explanation of the 60%, Metabolism B, and how to succeed with weight loss, improved labs, less medication, and improved energy and wellness if you are one of the majority: the 60% who have Metabolism B.