Hey all,
I wanted to dive right into tonight's topic and hope to make some sense for all those still struggling with or looking deeper into nutrition. The last couple weeks I've had discussions with several people have run the gamut - some have embraced Paleo, understand it, study it, and enjoy it whole heartedly. Others get it, and are moving towards eating clean, yet still think of it as the "quick fix" for their diet, instead of recognizing that Paleo or eating clean is a lifestyle change. Others flat out understand it, yet have decided its not worth the effort.
The most recent push back I've seen from people regarding Paleo, is the overwhelming amount of conflicting information that is literally everywhere - on the web, in almost every magazine, save "Cat Fancy", on television, etc, yet we still remain the fattest country around. Over 30% of adults suffer from adult on-set diabetes, over 25% of kids under the age of 14 are developing diabetes as well, which is just a precursor to a number of diseases which stem from autoimmunity. And I get it, with all this information out there, how is someone supposed to tell what works best? Let's be honest anyone can go to www.iamright.com to find support for their respective theory for nutrition and find a study of some kind to back it. However, that doesn't mean that all of them are right. Let me explain.
There area lot of studies, which support the use of grains as a staple in your diet, that are supported by Agri-business. I'm not going to get too political about this, but understand that the farmers of America have a rather deeply vested interest in pushing the "bread". So much so, that they have the ear of several politicians on Capitol Hill, which is why our RDA "Food Plate" still looks remarkalby similar to the old Pyramid. They simply changed the shape - triangle to circle. But the breakdown of what to eat is still the tried and true -lots of grains, limited fat, limited protein. Not surprisingly, our overall health has not improved, in fact it continues to worsen.
Now, I know that more of the endurance athlete magazines are holding fast to that "carb load" theory, still preaching that fat is the enemy, and that carbs are the way to go. And by carbs, I mean bread, pasta, crackers, chips, etc. The problem is - how many athletes still suffer from GI problems? Anemia? Vitamin deficiencies? Autoimmune disease that leads to performance dips? What gets me the most is the argument against fats. The one thing that athletes, all of us actually, need, are clean fats, and an honest, no bs assessment as to why. With respect to this topic, I've attached an article from the most forward thinking and innovative coach, athlete, mentor, and flat out great dude - Brian MacKenzie. Anyone who has read his stuff, watched his videos, knows he doesn't pull punches. I can't do justice to what he knows and writes, so I've brought it to all of you.
The one thing I want to add before signing off - If you head into something new believing it will be difficult, then it will be. I don't care if its switching to Paleo or learning how to use a Smart phone, the more you fight it, then you will most likely fail and point the finger at the change. Change is never easy. But if you want it bad enough, its worth it. Enjoy Brian's article.
Cholesterol Myth, inflammation truth?
When we are willing to listen to anything and everyone who’s an “expert” we are usually left with a shitty representation of what the truth really is. Most doctors I know are running a practice or are engaged in their “profession” so deeply that they really only have time to care about one thing… What it is they are doing. Orthos, Cardiologist’s, Oncologist’s, Internal Medicine, etc focus on one thing and its either a crud ton of patients that they have packed into a day and then the people selling the devices and drugs the docs might being using. Ok, there might be a little more in there, but the point is, I’ve seen most of the listed above docs my entire life in some way shape or form, and the only thing they are experts in is getting the job done that they do day in and day out. This is what they are good at, and why we should be seeing them… Maybe.
What’s the point? When was the last time Dr. Oz actually put out something decent that didn’t make him look like the expert, and more so let the information present itself? When was the last time your podiatrist actually talked to you about the muscles in your foot and that you really don’t need orthotics if you actually learn to use your feet? How about a cardiologist that talked about inflammation rather than cholesterol?
Since I’ve already put a ton out on the foot… Click the above link, then get on google or yahoo or whatever internet machine you can and start looking into this thing called the Cholesterol Myth, and start looking into inflammation, and the root causes of it. You might start to understand fat is actually a buffer for inflammation, but then id be giving it all away. Obviously most understand where my opinion is, but this doesn’t mean you need to take on my opinion. It means stop listening to a bunch of over worked, band aide prescribing nincompoops and develop the ability to understand more than most of these people giving you half truths. Hell I’d like you to understand more than me. Most already do.
Don’t fear fat, fear not wanting to understand it from every angle. I remember when I bought in hook, line, sinker… Don’t make that mistake.
Brian MacKenzie
