The carbohydrate-insulin hypothesis of obesity states that
carbohydrates (particularly refined carbohydrates and sugar) are the
primary cause of obesity due to their ability to increase circulating
insulin, and that the solution to obesity is to restrict carbohydrate
intake. Numerous studies have tested this hypothesis, more or less
directly, in animals and humans. Despite the fact that many of these
studies undermine the hypothesis, it remains extremely popular, both in
the popular media and to a lesser extent among researchers. A new human
trial by Kevin Hall's research team at the US National Institutes of
Health offers very strong evidence that the carbohydrate-insulin
hypothesis of obesity is incorrect. At the same time, it offers
surprising and provocative results that challenge prevailing ideas about
diet and weight loss.
Read More
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
More Thoughts on the Recent Low-fat vs. Low-carb Metabolic Ward Study
The recent low-carb vs. low-fat study has provoked criticism from
parts of the diet-health community. Let's examine these objections and
see how they hold up to scientific scrutiny.
Read More
How Much Does Sugar Contribute to Obesity?
Last week, the British Medical Journal published a review article
titled "Dietary Sugars and Body Weight", concluding that "free sugars"
and sugar-sweetened beverages contribute to weight gain. But what are
"free sugars", and why does the scientific literature suggest that the
relationship between sugar intake and body weight isn't as
straightforward as it may initially appear?
Read More
Out for Two Weeks
I'll be out of town with limited internet until September 27th. Feel
free to leave comments, but I won't be able to moderate them until I
return. Sorry for the inconvenience!
Read More
That Time I Ate Most of a Large Pizza in One Sitting
Two weeks ago, I had a brush with Extreme Eating. My experience
illustrates some important principles of how the brain regulates
appetite and body fatness-- and how it reacts to calorie-dense, highly
rewarding foods.
Read More
Will You Fill Out This Paleo Diet Survey?
This week, I received an e-mail from a graduate student at Humboldt
State University named May Patiño. She asked me to share her online research survey targeted to Paleo dieters. Here are the goals of her research, in her words:
Read More
The main objective of my study is exploring how the Paleo diet is being implemented in practice. I would like to assess the health outcomes of these practices, as well evaluate how closely they conform to, or deviate from ways this diet is being described in theoretical literature, and implemented in controlled diet trials. I also want to be able to use the data collected to help explain what is driving the popularity of the ancestral health movement. Ultimately, I would like this information to be used to better inform protocols for controlled diet trails.
Why Do Girls and Boys Reach Puberty Younger Than They Used To?
Girls, and probably boys, are reaching puberty years younger than
they did in our great-grandparents' generation. Why? There's no
shortage of explanations, but the primary reason is probably quite
simple.
Read More