Posted
Thursday, July 23, 2009
They found that the more omega 3 fats in the blood the lesser was the Body Mass Index, the smaller was their waist and their hip circumference. “[Other] studies, along with our observations, suggest that omega-3 PUFA supplementation may play an important role in preventing weight gain and improving weight loss when omega-3 PUFA are supplemented concomitantly with a structured weight-loss programme,” wrote the researchers.
Commenting on how a higher omega 3 intake could lead to weight loss, the Australia-based researchers noted that is was “biologically plausible” that omega-3 fats may aid weight management. Results from animal studies, for example, suggest that omega-3s may increase the production of heat by burning energy (thermogenesis).
Another study found that omega-3s boost the feeling of fullness after a meal (postprandial satiety) during weight loss. Omega 3 intake also has an impact on levels of hunger hormones ghrelin and leptin which impact on appetite, according to the researchers. “Thus, the idea that fish oil can regulate weight status via improved appetite control along with a subsequent reduction in energy intake is plausible and worthy of further investigation,” wrote the researchers. This study, however, doesn’t prove cause.
If you would like to find out more about the perfect intake and balance of fats in your diet I wrote about this extensively in the last issue of my newsletter and will be exploring some of the fascinating and practical findings on how to improve your weight control by understanding how the hunger hormones leptin and grhelin work in the next issue, out in September. I’m also giving seminars in London and Ireland this September on my GL diet and how to maximise weight loss.
Not sure if this is the right place to post this question or not but I have an issue with so-called man-boobs.
Until a couple of years ago I’d followed a very unhealthy lifestyle characterised by poor diet, plenty of alcohol, lack of sleep etc. However since then I’ve quite dramatically changed my life by adopting a much improved diet and excercising quite heavily. Thanks to this I’ve lost a lot of my previous flab and become quite muscular. However Ive discovered that I gave not been able to remove the fat from my chest area like that from my abdomen. Accordingly I beleive it may be caused by hormones etc rather than just being a general layer of fat. Is there any specific diet/supplements you could recommend to reduce the fat from my chest? Thanks.
Posted by Herrgog on 07/24 at 12:13 AM
You are right to suspect hormonal imbalance. Both oestrogen dominance and testosterone deficiency have been linked to this problem. In a survey of occupational risk for ‘andropause’ symptoms include this chicken farmers came out on top. Hormone disrputing chemicals tend to accumulate in animal fat (and human fat) and eating animals that might have been given some kind of growth hormone might also excacerbate this.Therefore, one recommendation is to eat a predominantly vegetarian diet. I also recommend you read Dr Malcolm Carruthers’ excellent book ‘The Andropause’. He also practices in London. Broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables (kale, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage) contain something called di-indole methane or DIM for short. This mops up excess oestrogen. You can get supplements of this, but only through nutritional therapists. In any event it might be worth getting your hormone levels tested. Those are the avenues I’d recommend you explore.
Posted by patrick on 07/24 at 08:28 AM
Thanks very much for your comments. Remarkably, my parents where chicken farmers when I was young! I already eat a great deal of cruciferous vegetables though it doesn’t seem to have had a great affect thus far. I’ve also heard it suggested that supplementing zinc or other testosterone boosting minerals might help. Would you agree with that?
Posted by Herrgog on 07/24 at 08:39 AM
Zinc is good, but not that good. DIM is much more potent. Testosterone deficiency is common and best corrected with testosterone. Dr Carruthers’ book explains the whole story, as well as a good symptom check list for potential testosterone deficiency. Also see http://www.andropause.org.uk.
Posted by patrick on 07/24 at 04:44 PM
