Here's my annual report from the 2010 Western Obesity Conference put on by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (physicians who specialize in obesity). Frankly, I go to these because after the obesity course is the annual Nutrition and Metabolism Symposium, which is where the low-carb action is. But I've started going to the obesity course as well, because there is usually quite a lot of interesting information there. This year is no exception.On Friday, we were treated to a totally fascinating lecture by Gary Taubes, author of Good Calories, Bad Calories. In that book, one of things he does (masterfully and articulately) is go back through the history of how we came to believe that eating fat is bad for us. Now he is working on a new book about sugar, and the lecture was focused on how we came to believe that eating sugar isn't bad for us. It's so interesting to me how often it can just be a matter of a few people, or even one person at a key time, that sends a whole society down the wrong path, and there were some colorful personalities involved in this story. (I wonder who the ancient Greek was that came up with the whole "Four Humors" idea that held sway for so long.) At the same time, Gary talked about the overwhelming evidence that sugar really is very bad, going back into a lot of interesting history (example: there was a time when if you found a case of cancer in an Inuit person you could get published in a medical journal). I can't wait for Gary's sugar book to come out to hear more, but sounds as if we may have to wait a couple of years. Happily, his "consumer-friendly version" of Good Calories, Bad Calories is finished and being released in the fall.
Another really great talk on Friday was by Dr. Robert Lerman. It is the best presentation I've ever seen about omega-3 fats, how they work, how many parts of our bodies they impact, and how to measure it. On this last thing, there is a (I think relatively new) test that actually looks at the fatty acids in the membrane of a person's red blood cells and figures out what percentage are omega-3. Optimum is 8-10%, but (big surprise) most American's fall far below that. Probably almost everyone should be taking high-quality (that is, distilled to remove contaminants) fish oil or other oil with EPA and DHA. Or eat a whole lot of sardines!
Saturday morning's most exciting speaker was Dr. Jeffrey Bland, who integrates an amazing number of aspects of the obesity situation: epigentics (genes turning off and on), gut flora (mostly-good germs in our guts), signals to the immune system, as well as diet, environment, and more. All these are systems in their own right, passing information to each other, strongly affecting metabolism, diabetes, and probably every aspect of our functioning. As you can imagine, it's all quite mind-boggling, but I tried to take in as much as I could! He does feel that the focus on the calorie has "sent us down the wrong path", and that there is very little evidence that obesity "causes" much at all (is just associated with bad stuff),
Bits and pieces I pass along:
- Take your vitamin D at your largest meal: you get 50% more absorption that way.
- Do we want "normal" weight or good health? If it's health, obese people probabaly don't need to target "normal" weights at all, but normal blood pressure, blood glucose, triglycerides, fitness, etc. Take the focus off weight.
- Never believe one study! Early positive studies are often followed by better, negative ones. Look for patterns of evidence. Results should be confirmed over time as evidence accumulates (note: this has not happened with the low-fat hypothesis).
The exhibit hall was interesting in a different way, as a lot of the companies were marketing low-calorie junk foods to the physicians at the conference, with ingredient lists a mile long.
Next, the even more exciting Nutrition and Metabolism Symposium!
I’m overweight, but my cholesterol total is 160 (highest HDL to LDL ratio possible on the test), my blood sugar is low, my BP 110/80, resting heart rate 51 (my doctor can’t figure that one out). And he still warns me of what is to come if I don’t lose weight. Honestly, I’m in my mid-50s and not on any medication except for hypothyroidism. I have always thought, given my own experience, that it’s what makes us fat that is the problem (poor food choices). But I have always loved a healthy diet, and I’ve been a low-carb dieter for over a year. Plus omega-3s as you say are excellent! I’m working on losing weight (not too much, I actually value some things about myself that overweight has taught me to focus on rather than appearance and diet obsession) and I do exercise regularly for health.
To Janine:
I too am hypothyroid & on meds. Just like you, my cholesterol profile, HR & BP are all normal, but am overweight. I have found out the hard way, that being hypothyroid leaves little control on weight loss, even on a sensible diet. I’ve learned that when my HR is too low, gain weight, nails break easily & notice hair loss, I need to increase my med dose. It’s like a game & haven’t been able to stabilize. Most doctors are not savvy enough to correlate weight issues with hypothyroidism. It’s just easier to tell us to go on a diet, without even knowing what we actually eat. Continue to eat healthy & stay active. That’s the best we can do!
Thank you Camelia. I really didn’t realize that low heart rate was part of the hypothyroid profile — that figures! Although generally speaking, it’s always been on the low side.
I went through a really bad stress experience about 7 years ago and I think that really tanked my thyroid which was probably already low. I was misdiagnosed and given bad advice, gained weight very, very quickly. It was years before I was treated for low thyroid and so weight is tough to take off. But I am honestly grateful for what I learned in accepting being overweight. So much emphasis on appearance is a denial of inner life and centeredness. I was obsessed with diet to stay thin for most of my life, and that was the center of my thinking. Never again!!! That is more unhealthy and stressful on my system than my weight and a good healthy diet in moderation. And its far, far more healthy spiritually and psychologically.