From: Jerry Vonderharr <vonder@netonecom.net>
Subject: Re: Zone Diet, etc.
andersen@scc.net wrote:
>
> As to your assertion that a low fat diet(10,20 or 30%) is wrong, there is
> PLENTY of evidence quantifying the dangers of high-fat consumption,
> especially in the long-term.
Dave, my reading of "the evidence" is that high SATURATED fat diets are
the problem. Mono-fats (especially Omega-3, and Omega-6 fatty acids)
are critical to a healthy diet.
Read Udo Erasmus, "Fats that heal, Fats that Kill" for a better
understanding of this.
andersen@scc.net wrote:
>
> Jerry,
>
> >I can understand why dietitians might be threatened by something like
> >"The Zone" diet. Empowering people to take control of their own health
> >puts the entire field of dietary counceling in jepardy. It's akin to
> >the Silver Amalgam controversy in Dentistry;
> >it's hard to admit that what you've been doing (placing toxic amalgams
> >or prescribing low fat/high carbo diets) has been wrong.
>
> I am not a dietitian, but my wife is. I am, however, as an endurance
> athlete and fairly intelligent person, extremely interested in my health and
> the substances I ingest. You are making a serious mistake in stating that
> dietitians know they are wrong about the Zone and other similar diets but
> are having a hard time admitting it. There is no grand conspiracy here. I
> can also assure you that my wife, as well as most other health care
> professionals, only wants to understand the human system and provide the
> best possible care they can. If that means prescribing the Zone at some
> point in the future then I am sure that is what will happen. In the
> meantime, the jury is still out on this one.
>
> As to your assertion that a low fat diet(10,20 or 30%) is wrong, there is
> PLENTY of evidence quantifying the dangers of high-fat consumption,
> especially in the long-term.
>
> >There is abundant evidence to suggest that a 30:40:30 protein/fat/carbo
> >diet is the answer to the current crisis in nutritional health in this
> >country.
>
> To assume that a simple ratio is the magical solution to any sort of
> nutritional crisis is to far over-simplify the complexity of the problems in
> the U.S.. Recent research I have just read, for example, has shown that
> despite a large jump in sugar substitute consumption over the last several
> years, overall sugar consumption has not decreased. Other research has
> pointed out that many people who consume low-fat and no-fat products tend to
> increase their overall caloric consumption, thereby resulting in no net
> effect on weight. These are just 2 of the issues causing America's dietary
> problems, neither having to do with a particular ratio of protein, fat, and
> carbo's. A third issue is the extremely high sedentary nature of most
> Americans. I don't care what you eat in any proportion, if you don't
> exercise regularly you will not be maximizing your health. Whether the Zone
> has any validity or not, for most people it represents yet another magic
> solution in a long line of quick-fixes hawked by the latest clever
> entrepreneur. The sad truth is most people don't want to have to work at
> improving their lives, they want the easy way out. In my experience there
> is no such thing as the easy-fix, and lasting satisfaction and success only
> comes via hard work, determination and some measure of sacrifice. In other
> words just the opposite of what most people want to hear.
>
> I don't believe I have read any of your sources, but I plan to over the
> coming months. In the meantime, time will tell.
>
> Best regards,
>
> David Andersen
> andersen@scc.net
andersen@scc.net wrote:
>
> Recent research I have just read, for example, has shown that
> despite a large jump in sugar substitute consumption over the last several
> years, overall sugar consumption has not decreased. Other research has
> pointed out that many people who consume low-fat and no-fat products tend to
> increase their overall caloric consumption, thereby resulting in no net
> effect on weight.
EXACTLY MY POINT!!! The current focus on "fat as the enemy" has
prompted food producers to market their high carbo/high sugar foods as
"low fat and healthy"... even "heart smart". What Barry Sears has
pointed out is that these high carbo foods elevate blood insulin
resulting in increased fat storage and carbo craving in the short term.
Long term consequences include insulin resistance, high blood sugar,
type II Diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
> A third issue is the extremely high sedentary nature of most
> Americans. I don't care what you eat in any proportion, if you don't
> exercise regularly you will not be maximizing your health.
Dave, on "the zone" program people FEEL like exercising. I can't tell
you how good it feels to NOT be fatigued at the end of a working day. I
come home now and literally tear up my nordic track for 30-40 minutes
EVERY DAY! This machine sat collecting dust in my basement for the 2
years prior despite all good intentions. You are absolutely right;
exercise is a critical piece of the puzzle. Aerobic exericise burns
calories, decreases insulin sensitivity, and lowers blood sugar
levels... but speaking as a clinician, it is VERY hard to convince
people to exercise when they don't feel good. When they change their
eating habits away from carbo based meals they feel good.
> The sad truth is most people don't want to have to work at
> improving their lives, they want the easy way out. In my experience there
> is no such thing as the easy-fix, and lasting satisfaction and success only
> comes via hard work, determination and some measure of sacrifice. In other
> words just the opposite of what most people want to hear.
The sadder truth is that people have tried and tried til they are blue
in the face and many have all but given up... because they were
operating on a faulty premise... that eating a high carb/low fat diet
would make them healthy, give them more energy, and keep them trim.
Eating a balanced protein diet requires some level of self discipline
but the cravings between meals is eliminated and people begin feeling
better in as little as a week. I've found excellent compliance with
this program because people FEEL better, look better, perform better.
> Best regards,
Jerry Vonderharr, DC
vonder@netonecom.net
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997 06:44:47 -0500
From: Jerry Vonderharr <vonder@netonecom.net>
Reply-To: vonder@netonecom.net
To: andersen@scc.net
Cc: ismnt@Mailer.Uni-Marburg.DE
Subject: Re: Zone Diet, etc.
References: <199701310928.DAA12879@scc.net>