Weight Loss Information

Turn Off the Fat Genes - A Book Review


Once in a while a good title comes along and "Turn Off the Fat Genes" is one of those titles that just have to be written about. If you are not familiar with Dr. Neal Barnard's work, he has been writing about how to lose weight on a high carbohydrate diet for at least a decade now.

I'm amazed, as you might be, that his work is not better known. There are a number of advantages to using a high carb diet and as many disadvantages to the low carb/ high protein diets.

There is some great research in his books that document the ability to lose weight on a high carbohydrate diet, which may also be healthier in the long run than the ever-popular low carbohydrate diets.

You might think it surprising, as I do, that more people are not using high carb diets to lose weight. You might also conclude that this is solely due to a lack of awareness on the part of the public.

Turn of the Fat Genes, written by Dr. Neal Barnard features over 150 pages of menus and recipes. The recipe and menu section is very comprehensive and you can definitely find recipes that will delight you out of such a large compilation.

Dr. Bernard discusses the concept that some of the genes that shape and influence us as human beings are themselves subject to influence. The genes that affect taste, appetite and metabolism are subject to the influence of the foods that we eat.

Not only are they subject to influence, the proper use of foods can mean that you don't have to sacrifice and starve yourself of decent nutrition. You can modify your diet, eat perhaps even more frequently and still enjoy weight loss. Does that sound incredible? It is real. You might feel incredulous because the masses of people out there have been told that low carb is the way to go.

I have been following some of the suggestions in one of Dr. Barnard's books and I can tell you that a high carb diet can help you lose weight. Using his suggestions, I can eat a lot of food frequently and I still seem to stay thin.

To give you an idea of what kind of information "Turn Off the Fat Genes" can provide you with, here is a list of some of the Chapter titles:

Taste Genes: Broccoli and Chocolate

Appetite and the Leptin Gene

The Fat-Building Gene

Fat-Burning: Turning the Flame Higher

How Genes Influence Your Exercise

Children and the Fat Genes

Food Choices for Optimal Weight Control

Dr. Barnard writes, "Contrary to popular opinion, scientific research reveals that genes are not dictators; they are committees. They do not give orders. They make suggestions. Genes are not rogue tyrants exerting despotic control over your waistline. Rather, they work in groups, often with subtle effects, and you can nudge them in the direction you want them to go. You can counteract the fat genes and boost your thin genes."

In ancient times, Hippocrates said, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food." Of course we aren't really talking about healing as much as we are discussing losing weight, but the principle applies.

One thing I learned from another of Dr. Barnard's books is that carbohydrates don't make people fat. It is fat that makes people fat. And it makes sense. Carbohydrates pack around 4 calories per gram and fats have about 9 calories per gram.

By the way, even though it is correct terminology, the fact is that the calories discussed here are actually 'thousands of calories'. In nutrition they decided to make a calorie equal to 1,000 real life calories as measured for energy.

Anyway I don't want to confuse anyone, because the RDA is based on nutrition calories, also known as Calories, but no one capitalizes the C as should be done. You can just keep thinking of calories as calories and don't worry about the technicalities.

Back to the story. Dr. Barnard's books on high carb diets are great reading and may inform you about healthier weight loss than you are currently use to. Did I mention the recipe list?

This article is for information purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or prevent any health condition. If you have or think you have a health condition or even just want to diet, please consult your physician.

Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com


MORE RESOURCES:

CNN

Steve Jobs' weight loss may be linked to his earlier cancer ...
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Jan 5, 2009
(MARIA J. AVILA/MERCURY NEWS) Apple CEO Steve Jobs' recent weight loss may be linked to his prior surgery for pancreatic cancer and is likely treatable, ...
Video: Steve Jobs Weight Loss Due to Hormone Imbalance AssociatedPress
Steve Jobs Says Hormone Imbalance Caused Weight Loss Bloomberg
Apple's Jobs Blames Weight Loss on Hormones PC Magazine
Taipei Times - Computerworld
all 2,850 news articles


Call 4 Action: Marketing Of 'Weight Loss' Berry Drawing Fire
MSNBC - 2 hours ago
Dietician Lesli Bonci said there are no studies to back up any weight loss claims of the berries. They actually have fewer cancer-fighting particles than ...


A look at weight-loss spokeswomen
Chicago Tribune, United States - 10 hours ago
The actress will continue as a spokeswoman for the weight-loss chain, People.com reports, noting that Latifah, 38, shed 20 pounds in 2008 while maintaining ...


USA Today

Weight loss tip of 2008: 'The Write Diet'
Examiner.com - 5 hours ago
University-based weight-loss experts and a handful of smaller research studies also have verified that writing down the food and calories you eat each day ...
The key to weight loss: portion control Globe and Mail
Eat less, add flavor, lose the weight Boston Globe
Donna's VICTORY Eating Hints WISC
Connecticut Post - Pacific Daily News
all 24 news articles


TVGrapevine.com

Food Banks to Benefit from Weight Loss Challenge
Promo Magazine, NY - 4 hours ago
General Mills, NBC’s “Biggest Loser” and Feeding America are collaborating on a weight loss challenge that will deliver a pound of groceries to local food ...
Let the weight loss begin Martinsburg Journal
Weight loss program benefits Winchester News Gazette
Premierewatch: 'The Biggest Loser: Couples' brings the twists Zap2it.com
Entertainment Weekly - PR Web (press release)
all 76 news articles


GSK Signs Wynonna Judd to Endorse Alli, Its Flagging Weight Loss Drug
BNET, Ca - 2 hours ago
By Jim Edwards | January 7th, 2009 @ 7:27 am GlaxoSmithKline is not giving up on Alli, its OTC weight-loss pill that has seen only modest sales. ...
Wynonna Judd Reveals Her alli(R), Her Story for Finding a ... PR Newswire (press release)
Wynonna Judd People Magazine
Wynonna Judd a little bit country on seventh album Examiner.com
all 7 news articles


Dallas Morning News

WeightView.com's "Virtual Weight Loss" Now the Most Active Weight ...
MSNBC - Jan 6, 2009
NEW YORK, NY - WeightView, the digital weight loss tool that enables dieters to see a visual representation of themselves at their desired weight, ...
Site shows how you'd look after weight loss Dallas Morning News
all 7 news articles


dBTechno

Two FDA-Approved Drugs May Spark Weight Loss, Fight Obesity
dBTechno, MA - 4 hours ago
... published this week in the journal Cell Metabolism has revealed that two FDA-approved drugs may be able to actually spark weight loss and fight obesity. ...
Drugs trigger dramatic weight loss in fat mice Scientific American
Study raises hope for obesity treatment Reuters
New hope for failed obesity drug Boston Globe
Science Daily (press release) - I Really Should Study
all 80 news articles


Weight loss goes wholesale -- buy NutriSystem (NTRI)
BloggingStocks - 23 hours ago
NutriSystem captured the investor imagination with its unique solution to weight loss and weight management. The company's home delivery of prepackaged ...
NutriSystem, Inc. Affiliates With Costco Wholesale Corporation MSNBC
NutriSystem taps Costco for sales help Bizjournals.com
all 20 news articles


Promoters of weight-loss book pay tolls on Kansas Turnpike
Kansas City Star, MO - Jan 6, 2009
AP Tolls for drivers leaving the Kansas Turnpike on Topeka’s east side were paid by New York company Sterling Publishing, which is promoting the book I Can ...
Weight-loss promo picks up tolls Topeka Capital Journal
Promotion gives drivers free ride Topeka Capital Journal
all 38 news articles

Weight-Loss - Google News

home | site map
© 2006