Next week, in a show entitled "Programmed to be Fat?" the CBC's Nature of Things with David Suzuki examines the link between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and obesity.
Interesting. Could losing weight be as simple as avoiding pre-packaged foods entirely, and consume only freshly made food?
As a rule, I avoid using plastic containers to reheat foods in the microwave, including pre-packaged foods which today I hardly eat at all. I always transfer the contents into proper ceramic or Pyrex based cookware first.
Combined with my long walks to work (minimum 45 minutes per day, weather permitting), I'm slowly but steadily losing my gut.
Depending on what's revealed in the show, that might not be an absolute rule anymore. It's not impossible that the chemicals are causing a build-up of fat regardless of how little you consume.
We'll have to wait for the show to find out if the doctor who can't lose weight is actually affected by the chemicals, or if it's her lifestyle that's responsible for her condition.
It's also quite likely that additives in processed food are causing obesity and obesity related diseases. Super sweet sugars and supersaturated fats disguised as food with flavor enhancers and gradual removal of natural food ingredients are creating generations of North Americans that routinely consume calorie laden sugars and fats instead of real food. To make matters worse, many poor and young people have lost access to naturally grown foods due to the closing of grocery markets in urban areas.
Humans do still obey the laws of thermodynamics, even if the method is complex. A catalyst may change a reaction, however, all reactions do respect laws of conservation of energy. There are no perpetual motion devices - inorganic or organic.
The use of high-fructose corn syrup in most fast/prepackaged foods as a substitute for real sugar is one of the reasons society is "fatter" these days.
In addition to causing significant weight gain in lab animals, long-term consumption of high-fructose corn syrup also led to abnormal increases in body fat, especially in the abdomen, and a rise in circulating blood fats called triglycerides. The researchers say the work sheds light on the factors contributing to obesity trends in the United States.
^^^^
Fructose is a real sugar, along with glucose, lactose, dextrose and everybody's favourite, sucrose (table sugar). Fructose is also sweeter than sucrose, so you can use less of it.
Airing tonight at 8PM (CBCE) and 11PM (CBCW) and next week on CBC NN
One thing the article does not address is the simple fact that Calories are energy and that for weight to stay in balance you need to use that energy. If you consume more than you use, you will gain weight. If you consume fewer Calories than you use, you will lose weight. The metabolic rate of course comes into play and that's why some people appear to be "naturally thin" (higher metabolic rate), while others have more difficulty with weight due to a lower metabolic rate. I'm guessing these chemicals change the metabolic rate, however, the calorie balance must be respected.
I have yet to see a fat person who does not consume a lot more food than I do, as well as not expending as much energy walking, running, etc. There are occasional instances of very low metabolic rate individuals, however, the vast majority of people are fat because they eat/drink too much and don't move enough. It's not a priority for them or they would do something about it (long term lifestyle change, not a "diet"). Each person has their own priorities.
I'm hoping that this programme doesn't provide these people with yet another "excuse" for their being fat.
I believe the same Globe was talking to doctors about not using the "O-word" (obese) with their fat patients due to the negative connotations of the word. Please, there is little room for PC in doctor - patient relationships. There must be honesty and proper communication. Empathy should certainly come into play, but not at the expense of no communication.
Sure, rain on my parade. I was all ready to market an organic fusion device.
Like you said earlier, most people are simply in denial about how much they actually consume. This is especially true for things like soft drinks, etc.
I agree - if energy in > energy out, then the body stores the excess energy in fat cells, which have the ability to expand in size substantially.
For anyone who wants to lose weight, write down every single thing you eat/drink over the course of a week, right down to the sugar packets you put in your coffee - be honest, show that to a nutritionist/dietician, and it'll be easy to map out a plan to start dropping the lbs.
For sure, metabolic rates differ, but by going for a walk and raising one's HR for 30 minutes, their metabolic rate will stay elevated for up to an hour afterward.
Interesting show, but the title and content definitely tended towards sensationalism. The show was almost over by the time they finally pointed out that it was a combination of excess food consumption AND exposure to endocric disruptors that made people get fatter faster.
In the end, the conclusion was pretty much the same. If you don't want to get fat, stop stuffing your bloody pie-hole!
caloric (is that a word?) intake is a balancing act. Too many, without exercise, we gain. Take in less calories needed to sustain weight, the body reduces metabolic rate. In this case, fewer calories and weight loss equaling a very stubborn sticking point, making loss harder than it has to be; yet there are techniques to avoid this mode.
I focus on nutrient value being the key to good health (vitamins and minerals) and satisfying hunger with good food choice. And yes, balancing calories and exercise as well for ideal weight. Its easier on the heart and my overall well being, attitude toward life, mood..etc
All I know is that Firefox's spell checker didn't complain.
The more I watched the show, the more i was annoyed by the format. Before every commercial, there was always an annoying little "teaser" to try and "encourage" you to continue watching the show.
I'M ALREADY WATCHING YOUR STUPID SHOW YOU IDIOTS! STOP TRYING TO ANNOY ME AWAY!
As for the obesity epidemic, that may be why I prefer women who aren't grossly overweight. I've always known that excess weight was a health hazard, and that I didn't want to lose my SO to an avoidable condition.
Yes, it's harsh, but that's just the way it is. Obesity is a sign of future poor health and shortened life span. I'll never understand all of those advocacy groups that actually believe it's okay to be fat, and that fat people should accept their condition. It's NEVER acceptable! They're just setting themselves up for an early termination!
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