The 6-Week Remedy for the Center-Aged Center: The Easy Plan to Flatten Your Stomach Quick!

Very effective for ditching visceral flab
Well, the “Protein Power” authors have done it again…producing an effective strategy to target something that should interest *everybody* this day and age…i.e., abdominal (visceral) fat. This is obviously a relevant topic regardless if one is middle-aged or not. Fact is, there is a growing tendendy in our world to eat too much and move too little, and the result – regardless of macronutrient preferences one may have – is the accumulation of fat around the waist…AND, more covertly, inside the internal organs of the liver and pancreas. The strength of the Eades’ dietary strategy here lies in correctly targeting the right organ of the body- i.e., the liver. Non-alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease (NAFLD) is reaching epidemic proportions, and the results are disastrous for many of our modern health conditions, such as haywire cholesterol metabolism and/or metabolic syndrome and diabetes. A little reflection on the crucial role of the liver in the dynamics of cholesterol production and fatty-acid metabolism should flash a light of recognition here…i.e., when fat begins to accumulate in the liver (and the pancreas, which I’ll basically leave out to simplify the discussion), it heralds bad things for an individual’s lipid *AND* glucose control. When the important role of the liver in both cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism is seen, it should also be clear that cholesterol problems and blood glucose problems are intimately related, and fatty-liver problems are usually behind both conditions.The strategy here to specifically target the fatty-liver condition is basically a very-low-calorie-diet (VLCD), at least the first few weeks, as shakes (with adequate protein) replace most meals. Even when non-starchy veggies and some low-sugar fruits (i.e., berries, etc) are added in a few weeks later, the diet stays pretty low in total calories. Instead of using familiar commercial meal-replacement products (which usually contain inadequate protein and too much sugar), the Eades have you make your own shakes, adding ingredients beneficial to the liver that one might not usually think of, such as coconut milk and DAG (diacyglycerol oil). [Note: DAG oil under the brand name “Enova” has been pulled from the shelves and is no longer currently available in the U.S., but is not a crucial component of the plan anyway]. Yes, coconut milk contains “saturated” fat, but never mind the conventional nutrition mantras…the saturated fat in coconut milk is actually beneficial to the liver, along with the medium-chain triglycerides. Another important addition is supplemental leucine, which is the “Big Kahuna” among the branched-chain amino acids for maintaining lean muscle tissue…a very important thing indeed when attempting these temporary low-calorie diets. Various “liver supplements” are also utilized here, such as alpha-lipoic-acid (N-ALA), milk thistle, etc. The sulphur-containing supplements – such as ALA, taurine, NAC, etc. – in general seem to be very beneficial in fighting oxidative stress, probably because they boost the master-antioxidant glutathione). Also important when attempting these types of diets is a good multivitamin and adequate minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, because – let’s face it – these temporary strategies severely limit many normal foods and therefore supplementation on the basics is wise.In short, the Eades have done their research and offer a plan that effectively targets that cursed fat accumulation in the liver and pancreas.The main reason folks attempt a VLCD in the first place, of course, is to lose weight. And they are specifically designed to do so, and are very effective. This is true, by the way, REGARDLESS of the macronutrient ratios of the particular diet…as long as total calories stay on the low side. Low-carb, high-carb, it all works.I discovered this personally (quite inadvertently), recently while overseas in the tropics for a few months. While there, I ate pretty simply…mostly seafood and fish with market- or home-grown veggies and tropical fruits. While I normally subscribe to a limited-starch eating pattern, I deviated for several months with additional noodles and rice just to fill in much smaller portions of protein and non-starchy foods than I normally eat. The result was, I shed pounds like a rock, even though that wasn’t even a particular goal and I was already in the “normal” BMI range. My weight approached what I weighed in high school. But this DID alert me to the *pronounced* effect of calorie reduction on a short-term basis. Which goes to support a crucial point for ANY nutrition strategy: PORTION-SIZE IS IMPORTANT, REGARDLESS OF THE DIET MACRONUTRIENT RATIOS. It is important to note, however, that studies using calorie-reduction combined with low-carb intake show even MORE impressive results. See, for example:”Alterations in hepatic glucose and energy metabolism as a result of calorie and carbohydrate restriction”. Hepatology, (2008) 48: 1487-1496.This is a no-brainer to anyone who understands basic insulin and leptin endocrinology. The deliberate reduction of starches and simple sugars causes insulin levels to drop dramatically, which directly aids in fat-loss and improves blood-sugar AND lipid metabolism.Because of this, not only folks in general who need to lose visceral fat around the middle, but also those with metabolic syndrome or diabetes, should take a close look at VLCDs for an effective strategy for improving their condition. This was nicely shown in a recent British study by R. Taylor et al., using an 600-calorie VLCD study with 11 diabetic subjects…a small number of test subjects, surely, but the results are nonetheless startling and the study received much recent hype:Diabetologia (2008) 51:1781-1789.The study replaced regular meals with commercial shakes, readily available, along with small portions of non-starchy veggies at each meal. The reason for the excitement? Results showed that after only one week, fasting blood sugar was no longer elevated. After EIGHT weeks, their bodies were making sufficient insulin to essentially REVERSE their diabetes. This goes against the conventional wisdom of the medical community, who believe that once the beta-cells in the pancreas burn out, the condition is “irreversible”. Wrong. This should be exciting news to diabetics, and the study should certainly encourage them to try out a similar short-term diet for their own benefit.The concern about VLCDs is consuming inadequate protein and lack of muscle stimulation, which combine to strip the body of lean muscle tissue during the inevitable weight loss, which is undesirable. If folks want to try a strategy of going on a VLCD-type of TEMPORARY calorie restriction, it is important to consume adequate protein and, ideally, do some resistance training. See, for example:”Effects of resistance vs. aerobic training combined with an 800 calorie liquid diet on lean body mass and resting metabolic rate”. J Am Coll Nutr. (1999) Apr; 18(2):115-21.It is also important to note that VLCDs are only meant to be TEMPORARY, as long-term use will put the body’s starvation mechanisms into full swing even with the above precautions, which is not desirable.In summary, the results for general weight loss, and more importantly, reduction of fatty-liver and fatty-pancreas stores, makes these types of temporary strategies very effective.

Extremely helpful. Interesting reading

I came to this from a news item on the net when I was going through a major health crisis. It made sense and the first phases really helped me shift eating habits. Weight came off slowly but steadily. A body composition monitor really helped see what was going on and visceral fat and BMI came down. Protein smoothies helped and they changed the amount I ate and shifted me away from sweet stuff. I felt pleasantly satisfied and developed none of the shakes on an empty stomach I had before after eating a sandwich. Some of the recipes were great, such as the meatloaf. I came unstuck with the all meat phase and turned to Dr Gundry. He filled in the blanks and explained more of the background science. With his book, I shifted into eating more raw veg and continued to lose weight. I visited the Eades website and forum and learned from hardened Eades’ fans that their earlier book was better. I bought Protein Power Life Plan and was initially unimpressed. When I had some health problems I started looking everywhere and turned to PPLP. It’s a gold mine of information and their chapters on sweeteners is an eye opener. So, if you’re struggling and despairing with losing weight, I’d highly recommend that you start here. Once you’ve established a regular pattern, you can look around for other sources. PPLP and Dr Gundry say similar things about diets, so they aren’t in major conflict. Dr Gundry is tougher on a high protein diet for the long term, which he rates as unhealthy.

Nothing overly special with the contents of this book