The Secret Life of Fat
Fat and weight gain is a topic of interest to the majority of the
population, particularly as we age. A book with the above title was
written by Sylvia Tara. Among the interesting topics of discussion is
the work of an Indian physician named Nikhil Dhurandhar. This researcher
has repeatedly shown that viral infections can result in weight gains
in animals and people. He found that a much higher number of people who
were obese had antibodies to Adenovirus-36. This work has been difficult
to get published because many doctors do not believe that viral or
bacterial infections can cause weight gain.
It
has been pretty well confirmed that bacteria can result in weight gain
leading to obesity. Dr. Jeffrey Gordon conducted an experiment in which
he raised one group of mice in sterile conditions and another with
normal bacterial growth in the intestines. Food intake was identical but
the mice with bacteria weighed more. The bacteria in the gut help break
down food and extract nutrients from it. When the mice raised in a
sterile environment were exposed to bacteria they had a 57% increase in
percent of body fat!
Obese
human beings tend to have increased numbers of Firmicutes bacteria
which love diets high in carbohydrates and fats. Their numbers decrease
when these types of foods are restricted. Thinner individuals have
higher numbers of Bacteroidetes bacteria in the gut. These bacteria are
not as efficient and making nutrients in food available for absorption.
Their numbers increase when the diet is high in fruits and vegetables.
Thoughts on Cholesterol
One of the most frequent questions I am asked is about cholesterol
levels. Current recommendations are for a total cholesterol level less
than 200 mg/dl. It is also recommended that LDL or bad cholesterol be
below 130 and HDL or good cholesterol be above 35. For every 1% increase
in HDL levels risk of heart attack drops by 3-4%. While LDL is usually
referred to as the "bad" cholesterol the worst cholesterol is
lipoprotein(a) which carries a 10-fold greater risk than LDL for heart
disease.
Another factor to consider is whether cholesterol is oxidized or not.
All early studies were done feeding rabbits oxidized cholesterol out of a
jar. In the 1970's similar studies were done with non-oxidized
cholesterol. It was learned that oxidized cholesterol is 500 times more
atherogenic than the product which is not oxidized. Anyone with an
elevated cholesterol should try to avoid consuming highly oxidized
cholesterol products like aged cheeses, powdered eggs, and highly heated
fatty foods.
Supplementation with antioxidants can reduce the risk of cholesterol
oxidation. Supplementation with Carotenoid Complex was shown to increase
antioxidant activity in the blood five-fold in one study. Vitamins E
and C are also protective here. Salmon oil is slippery and helps prevent
cholesterol from sticking to blood vessel walls. Salmon oil is very
effective at reducing triglyceride levels if they are elevated.
Statin drugs are loaded with side-effects. They block the synthesis of
CoQ10 and other important compounds. Lipotropic Adjunct is a supplement
designed to improve the ability of the liver to process fats. The
meaning of the word breaks down as follows: lipo=fat, trophic= to eat,
adjunct= helper. Lipotropics tend to lower cholesterol and
triglycerides.
A well tested alternative to statins is niacin which is often used on a
prescription basis. It does cause an uncomfortable flush, particularly
in the beginning. Plant sterols also inhibit absorption of cholesterol.
These are found in NeoLife Tre-en-en. A pharmaceutical form of sterols
called policosanol has been shown to compare favorably to statin drugs
in lowering cholesterol.
Heart disease can also be caused by low intake of magnesium or elevated
homocysteine (which is addressed by lipotropic adjunct). Diabetes is a
major risk factor for heart disease. Risk of diabetes is reduced by
avoiding sugars, heavy fats, and making sure vitamin D levels are
adequate.
