Eat Fat To Lose Fat -- Washington U.

Eat Fat to Lose Fat

The research may be one reason why the Atkins diet --
which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat -- seems to work.



By Kristen Philipkoski

Story location: http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,67473,00.html

02:00 AM May. 10, 2005 PT

Diets too low in fat may be responsible for stubborn bulges on bellies,
thighs and butts, according to a new study.

Dieters trying slim down by following extremely low-fat diets may be
causing the exact opposite results, according to new research from the
Washington University in St. Louis. Eating at least small amounts of
dietary fats, such as fish oils, might be a better way to kick-start
fat-burning, say researchers.

Scientists found that in mice, old fat stuck around when the liver had
no new fat to process. The results are further evidence that extreme
diets often aren't the ticket to a lean body, and a balanced diet is
likely important for more reasons than scientists currently understand.

"Extremes of diet are sometimes unwise, because a balanced diet may be
critical for providing certain dietary signals that allow you to respond
appropriately to stresses, and one of those stresses is eating too
much," said Dr. Clay Semenkovich, a professor of medicine, cell biology
and physiology at the University of Washington and co-author of the study.

The research may be one reason why the Atkins diet -- which is low in
carbohydrates and high in fat -- seems to work. But Semenkovich said a
balanced diet is probably more effective in the long run, because it's
easier to maintain for long periods of time. And, like all extreme
dieters, Atkins followers could be suppressing other dietary signals
important for staying healthy.

The researchers genetically engineered the mice such that they lacked a
fat-producing enzyme in the liver. On a zero-fat diet, the mice
developed fatty liver disease. Their old fat stores moved to the liver,
but their livers could not burn the fat. Therefore, the researchers say
in the May issue of the journal Cell Metabolism, the liver needs new fat
to regulate fat burning.

"On a normal diet they were OK," Semenkovich said. "We went to a very
extreme low-fat diet, and these animals paradoxically accumulated an
extremely large amount of fat in their livers."

The liver is nutrition's traffic cop, directing nutrients to be stored
or used by the body. Incorrect processing of glucose or lipids by the
liver can cause type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. People who are
obese or insulin-resistant often develop fatty liver disease.

The scientists also tried a second approach to kick-start the
fat-burning process in the genetically engineered mice. They gave the
mice a drug -- a stronger version of human triglyceride-lowering
medications that go by the trade names Lopid and Tricor.

The drug the researchers used, as well as those available on the market
now, activate a protein called PPAR-alpha, which extracts energy from
carbohydrates and fats. Researchers already knew that fat activates the
protein, but the study proved that PPAR-alpha specifically needs new
fats to do its job.

Semenkovich and his colleagues were surprised by their results.

"We thought we would alter the levels of fats that circulate in blood,"
he said. "Instead we found you need to generate new fat to make a signal
to burn fat in the liver."

"jbuch" wrote

Eat Fat to Lose Fat
The research may be one reason why the Atkins diet --
which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat -- seems
to work.
Story location:
http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,67473,00.html

Somehow I get the feeling that this is an extremely
important finding. Thanks for posting it.

--
Bob

Kanyak's Doghouse
http://www.kanyak.com

Opinicus wrote:
"jbuch" wrote

Eat Fat to Lose Fat

The research may be one reason why the Atkins diet --

which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat -- seems to work.
Story location: http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,67473,00.html


Somehow I get the feeling that this is an extremely important finding.
Thanks for posting it.


Yes, It seemed to reinforce Atkin's claim that there is no "Low Fat"
version of the diet.

It also confirms the common advice by many vererans here to "Eat More Fat".

"It also confirms the common advice by many vererans here to "Eat More
Fat".


Well, that's advice that this veteran doesn't agree with. Any
reasonable approach to Atkins or LC has enough fat in it without having
to look for more.

wrote:

"It also confirms the common advice by many vererans here to "Eat More
Fat".


Well, that's advice that this veteran doesn't agree with. Any
reasonable approach to Atkins or LC has enough fat in it without having
to look for more.


I'm not sure that I see a discrepancy between the amount of fat in
Atkins and "Eat More Fat" advice by other vererans.

One of the most common failures by some trying the Atkins diet seems to
be trying to make it into a "low Fat" version at the same time.

Of course, you are welcome to your opinion.

This is a blow to the South Beach Diet a it
pushes for all types of no fat substitutes such as
butter substitute, egg substitute, ...etc.

I read the Dr's book. It's all low fat this no fat that.

In the end, losing or gaining weight boils down to total calories
intake vs physical activities. You do need fat to survive and
to burn prehistoric fat

The low carb advantage is in the lack of options to munch on and
the loss of appetite while in Ketosis. Add to that the Ketosis
state of burning fat for energy instead of burning the 2 bags of popcorn
you swallow on low fat diets.




"jbuch" wrote in message
...


Eat Fat to Lose Fat

The research may be one reason why the Atkins diet --
which is low in carbohydrates and high in fat -- seems to work.



By Kristen Philipkoski

Story location: http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,67473,00.html

02:00 AM May. 10, 2005 PT

Diets too low in fat may be responsible for stubborn bulges on bellies,
thighs and butts, according to a new study.

Dieters trying slim down by following extremely low-fat diets may be
causing the exact opposite results, according to new research from the
Washington University in St. Louis. Eating at least small amounts of
dietary fats, such as fish oils, might be a better way to kick-start
fat-burning, say researchers.

Scientists found that in mice, old fat stuck around when the liver had
no new fat to process. The results are further evidence that extreme
diets often aren't the ticket to a lean body, and a balanced diet is
likely important for more reasons than scientists currently understand.

"Extremes of diet are sometimes unwise, because a balanced diet may be
critical for providing certain dietary signals that allow you to respond
appropriately to stresses, and one of those stresses is eating too
much," said Dr. Clay Semenkovich, a professor of medicine, cell biology
and physiology at the University of Washington and co-author of the study.

The research may be one reason why the Atkins diet -- which is low in
carbohydrates and high in fat -- seems to work. But Semenkovich said a
balanced diet is probably more effective in the long run, because it's
easier to maintain for long periods of time. And, like all extreme
dieters, Atkins followers could be suppressing other dietary signals
important for staying healthy.

The researchers genetically engineered the mice such that they lacked a
fat-producing enzyme in the liver. On a zero-fat diet, the mice
developed fatty liver disease. Their old fat stores moved to the liver,
but their livers could not burn the fat. Therefore, the researchers say
in the May issue of the journal Cell Metabolism, the liver needs new fat
to regulate fat burning.

"On a normal diet they were OK," Semenkovich said. "We went to a very
extreme low-fat diet, and these animals paradoxically accumulated an
extremely large amount of fat in their livers."

The liver is nutrition's traffic cop, directing nutrients to be stored
or used by the body. Incorrect processing of glucose or lipids by the
liver can cause type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. People who are
obese or insulin-resistant often develop fatty liver disease.

The scientists also tried a second approach to kick-start the
fat-burning process in the genetically engineered mice. They gave the
mice a drug -- a stronger version of human triglyceride-lowering
medications that go by the trade names Lopid and Tricor.

The drug the researchers used, as well as those available on the market
now, activate a protein called PPAR-alpha, which extracts energy from
carbohydrates and fats. Researchers already knew that fat activates the
protein, but the study proved that PPAR-alpha specifically needs new
fats to do its job.

Semenkovich and his colleagues were surprised by their results.

"We thought we would alter the levels of fats that circulate in blood,"
he said. "Instead we found you need to generate new fat to make a signal
to burn fat in the liver."

"I read the Dr's book. It's all low fat this no fat that."

I don't think that's a fair characterization of South Beach. There is
a lot in common between SB and Atkins. As time went on, Atkins, like
much of the medical community, came to realize that some fats are
better than others. He then began to advocate more the use of the
beneficial fats, like olive oil, nuts, etc. SB also does this. What
SB tries to limit is saturated fat, while Atkins doesn't. And the jury
is still out on who's right on this one. The only real evidence Atkins
has that saturated fat doesn't matter is some short term tests that
show lipid levels either improve or are no worse while on Atkins. His
main claim was that all the data accumulated that leads the mainstream
to believe saturated fat is bad was collected from people on
traditional diets, high in carbs and fat. That is a valid point, but
it doesn't prove that it changes the conclusion.

In the sample diets in SB, I remember seeing things like eggs and
canadian bacon for breakfast. And it was also said that if you wanted
some bacon, that was ok too, but don't over do it. I would
characterize SB as a reduced carb, reduced sat, 0 trans fat diet, while
Atkins is a low carb, 0 trans fat diet.