Lose Weight And Look Great

Omega 3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are known to help metabolism of fat for many different reasons. They are one of the best, as well as most basic nutrients, for the support of healthy weight management.  A new study shows that they can positively influence gene signaling in individuals prone to weight gain.

There is no question that many of us have altered gene signals that help promote the storage of fat. Some of these gene signals likely had a survival advantage in past times when food was scarce, but they work against us in modern times when food is often eaten in excess. When individuals with excessive fat-storing gene signals eat too much food they are up to three times more likely to store extra calories as fat.

Researchers looking over the entire human genome have linked higher activities of various genes with obesity. Genes are not written in concrete, rather they respond to environmental variables. Indeed, the new study shows that when omega 3 fatty acids are low then obesity genes are more active in storing calories as fat and when they are higher these genes are tamped down.

While the researchers did not offer any explanation as to why omega 3 fatty acids have this effect, I will. During evolution the intake of omega 3 fatty acids typically occurred in conjunction with significant protein and oftentimes with saturated fat – meaning that true starvation was not occurring. It appears that our bodies associate omega 3 intake with a lack of starvation, thereby permitting metabolism to run faster and not store fat.

If a person eats moderate and appropriate amounts of calories, while following the Five Rules of the Leptin Diet, and increases their intake of omega 3 fatty acids (especially DHA), then they will create a metabolic environment wherein metabolism is permitted to run faster and storing calories as fat is no longer as subconsciously important. It is a way to trick your genes into weight loss.

Omega 3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are known to help metabolism of fat for many different reasons. They are one of the best, as well as most basic nutrients, for the support of healthy weight management.  A new study shows that they can positively influence gene signaling in individuals prone to weight gain.

There is no question that many of us have altered gene signals that help promote the storage of fat. Some of these gene signals likely had a survival advantage in past times when food was scarce, but they work against us in modern times when food is often eaten in excess. When individuals with excessive fat-storing gene signals eat too much food they are up to three times more likely to store extra calories as fat.

Researchers looking over the entire human genome have linked higher activities of various genes with obesity. Genes are not written in concrete, rather they respond to environmental variables. Indeed, the new study shows that when omega 3 fatty acids are low then obesity genes are more active in storing calories as fat and when they are higher these genes are tamped down.

While the researchers did not offer any explanation as to why omega 3 fatty acids have this effect, I will. During evolution the intake of omega 3 fatty acids typically occurred in conjunction with significant protein and oftentimes with saturated fat – meaning that true starvation was not occurring. It appears that our bodies associate omega 3 intake with a lack of starvation, thereby permitting metabolism to run faster and not store fat.

If a person eats moderate and appropriate amounts of calories, while following the Five Rules of the Leptin Diet, and increases their intake of omega 3 fatty acids (especially DHA), then they will create a metabolic environment wherein metabolism is permitted to run faster and storing calories as fat is no longer as subconsciously important. It is a way to trick your genes into weight loss.

It is not a coincidence that America’s children are experiencing an asthma and obesity epidemic. Both conditions are marked by higher-than-normal levels of inflammation. One new study proves a molecular mechanism linking asthma and obesity and another study shows that routine anti-inflammatory supplements can reduce the need for asthma medication.

In the first study, it was demonstrated that the four inflammatory genes that are excessively activated in asthma are made worse by the inflammation coming from obesity, often causing the activity of these gene to double. Furthermore, weight loss was shown to cause a drop in these inflammatory gene signals. 

“Our findings point the way to the management of asthma in the obese through simple weight reduction,” said first author Paresh Dandona, MD, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chief of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University at Buffalo. “Ours is the first study to provide a mechanistic link between obesity and asthma through biological/immunological mechanisms,” Dandona said. “There has been, until now, no biological, mechanistic explanation other than the fact that obesity may raise the diaphragm and thus reduce lung volumes.” Importantly, the research established a connection between type 2 diabetes, obesity and asthma based on biological mechanisms. This is important because obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with a more than 100 percent increase in the prevalence of asthma, Dandona said.

The second study was a 16-week supplement intervention in 192 asthmatic school children. The children were given supplements of fruit and vegetable concentrates, omega 3 fish oil, and friendly flora probiotics (all of which reduce inflammation). 

The supplement group, compared to placebo, showed significant improvement in lung function and a significantly reduced use of short-acting inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.

Asthma, regardless of the cause, is partly an inflammatory problem. Managing any source of inflammation helps. The simple process of weight loss can have a major impact, as can nutrients that are inherently anti-inflammatory in nature.

It is not a coincidence that America’s children are experiencing an asthma and obesity epidemic. Both conditions are marked by higher-than-normal levels of inflammation. One new study proves a molecular mechanism linking asthma and obesity and another study shows that routine anti-inflammatory supplements can reduce the need for asthma medication.

In the first study, it was demonstrated that the four inflammatory genes that are excessively activated in asthma are made worse by the inflammation coming from obesity, often causing the activity of these gene to double. Furthermore, weight loss was shown to cause a drop in these inflammatory gene signals. 

“Our findings point the way to the management of asthma in the obese through simple weight reduction,” said first author Paresh Dandona, MD, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Chief of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University at Buffalo. “Ours is the first study to provide a mechanistic link between obesity and asthma through biological/immunological mechanisms,” Dandona said. “There has been, until now, no biological, mechanistic explanation other than the fact that obesity may raise the diaphragm and thus reduce lung volumes.” Importantly, the research established a connection between type 2 diabetes, obesity and asthma based on biological mechanisms. This is important because obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with a more than 100 percent increase in the prevalence of asthma, Dandona said.

The second study was a 16-week supplement intervention in 192 asthmatic school children. The children were given supplements of fruit and vegetable concentrates, omega 3 fish oil, and friendly flora probiotics (all of which reduce inflammation). 

The supplement group, compared to placebo, showed significant improvement in lung function and a significantly reduced use of short-acting inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.

Asthma, regardless of the cause, is partly an inflammatory problem. Managing any source of inflammation helps. The simple process of weight loss can have a major impact, as can nutrients that are inherently anti-inflammatory in nature.

Over the years I have written extensively on the value of fine quality whey protein isolates. A new 12-week study with obese adults, average age 48, showed that whey protein could significantly improve their metabolic profile on such key issues as lowering triglycerides, lowering cholesterol, and improving blood sugar metabolism (less insulin resistance).

Six weeks into the program those supplementing with whey protein had already lowered their triglycerides – a vital step required to improve leptin resistance and reduce cardiovascular risk. By 12 weeks they had significantly lowered their cholesterol. Additionally, various parameters relating to insulin function and glucose metabolism were tested and had significantly improved.

This study shows that whey protein, as part of a healthy diet, is a superior food source for improvement of metabolism. Many people find that having a whey protein drink for breakfast is not only fast and easy, it gets their metabolism off on the right foot and helps them eat less food later in the day.

Over the years I have written extensively on the value of fine quality whey protein isolates. A new 12-week study with obese adults, average age 48, showed that whey protein could significantly improve their metabolic profile on such key issues as lowering triglycerides, lowering cholesterol, and improving blood sugar metabolism (less insulin resistance).

Six weeks into the program those supplementing with whey protein had already lowered their triglycerides – a vital step required to improve leptin resistance and reduce cardiovascular risk. By 12 weeks they had significantly lowered their cholesterol. Additionally, various parameters relating to insulin function and glucose metabolism were tested and had significantly improved.

This study shows that whey protein, as part of a healthy diet, is a superior food source for improvement of metabolism. Many people find that having a whey protein drink for breakfast is not only fast and easy, it gets their metabolism off on the right foot and helps them eat less food later in the day.

A detailed gene study involving 1,754 adults, some with metabolic syndrome¹ and some without, showed that those who were low in omega 3 oils like DHA were more likely to manifest gene problems with leptin.

The researchers were studying polymorphisms in the leptin receptor. The hormone leptin is seeking to communicate around your body so as to regulate your metabolism. In order for the instructions to have meaning they must bind to a leptin receptor, setting into motion various metabolic instructions. Some individuals have alterations in their leptin receptors, which is more common in individuals who are overweight. When these leptin receptor problems kick in, it is one factor that fuels insulin resistance and eventually metabolic syndrome.

The researchers showed that too many omega 6 oils (common in today’s junk food diets) magnifies the malfunction of the leptin receptor gene polymorphisms. On the other hand, high omega 3 with lower omega 6 enabled the handicapped leptin receptors to function normally.

This is one reason why DHA oil is so important to human health, especially in individuals who are overweight or have moved to the more advanced metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high cholesterol).

Several new studies help explain how epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the active catechin in green tea, helps fat cell metabolism as well as helping clear out abnormal accumulation of fat in cells that line the arteries.

In one study EGCG was shown to turn on a signaling cascade called the WNT/β-catenin pathway that enables signals to cross through a cell membrane and accumulate within the cell to the point that they trigger gene activity. The net result of this gene signaling activity was that fat particles did not accumulate in the fat cells. 

One of the largest problems for overweight people is that fat cells keep expanding with extra fat, perpetuating and aggravating the weight gain issue and causing a lack of fitness in fat cells. EGCG is a nutrient tool that can help restore fitness to fat, which will obviously work best if a person does not overeat.

A second study looked at the gene signaling involved with EGCG and cardiovascular disease. It tested the effects of EGCG on aortic endothelial cells. It showed that EGCG prevented the accumulation of fat within these cells, an important issue since fat accumulation is associated with plaque formation in these cells. 

Gene analysis showed that EGCG turned on autophagy genes, which are cellular house cleaners. When fat is coming in to these cells too fast then house cleaning chores are overwhelmed, fat accumulates, and energetic function is handicapped – a combination of factors that leads to malfunction of key arterial cells. EGCG helps these cells handle their work load, thereby reducing the inappropriate accumulation of fat within them.

Both studies, via different mechanisms, demonstrate the green tea helps prevent the improper accumulation of fat by guiding gene signaling to better cope with a stressful situation. These type of gene expression studies lend support to the numerous human studies showing that green tea helps fat metabolism and reduces cardiovascular risk.

A new study shows that the kind of meal you eat after you do aerobic exercise¹ can make a big difference in helping your body metabolize blood sugar more efficiently. This is a very important issue since overweight Americans are plagued by both insulin resistance and leptin resistance – a clear path to type II diabetes. 

Researchers found that eating low carbohydrates following exercise improved insulin sensitivity, meaning the muscles and liver could more readily take up blood sugar. However, eating a low calorie meal following aerobic exercise did not improve insulin function. This means you should not try to starve yourself in an effort to lose weight. By eating a calorically appropriate meal of mostly protein, fat, and veggies (avoid bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, dessert) following aerobic exercise, you are much more likely to get insulin working in your favor.

Of course, ensuring you get adequate protein² at the meal before and/or after exercise also helps ensure that you have adequate protein to properly repair and recover from exercise. Individuals who lack dietary protein do not enjoy the progressive improvement in fitness that exercise can provide with proper protein nourishment. 

While there are many dietary supplements that help promote better insulin function, this is a great tip for maximizing the benefit of aerobic exercise. Fitness from exercise is of course an important goal; however, many of the benefits of exercise are not due to fitness per se, but due to changes that take place in your physiology over the next 24-48 hours. By eating properly after exercise, you are likely to benefit from improved blood sugar function lasting through the next day. If you consistently do aerobics three times a week and eat correctly following each workout, you are likely to improve insulin and blood sugar function for the entire week. 

New research confirms what many of you already know: whatever weight you managed to lose during the week is gained back on the weekend, resulting in Monday morning gloom as you look at the scale. Saturdays are king of fat intake¹, topping all other days of the week.

With July 4th approaching, it is certain that many people will gain back pounds over the extended weekend. Here are some tips to avoid being one of the herd:

1) Make active choices. Since you are most likely going to eat more, you should also exercise more—a lot more. Plan recreational games, hikes, sports, etc. 

2) Eat light at every meal, except your main meal, for all three days of the weekend. I recommend a Daily Protein Plus smoothie two meals a day on each of the weekend days.

3) Avoid all chips and fries – these are killers. Instead, eat fresh fruit (organic if possible).

4) Do not consume any high fructose corn syrup. It makes all of the other food you eat turn to fat. Many lemonades and ice teas are sweetened this way, along with other soda beverages and sweetened juices. When in doubt, drink water infused with fresh lemon or lime.

5) Eat a large salad—low in dressing and high in vegetables—before your main meal. If that isn’t available, take a heaping tablespoon of Fiber Helper in water ½ – 1 hour before your largest meal.

6) Enjoy the food you do eat – after all it is a party!

Happy 4th of July!