The Nutrient Blame game
The three macronutrients for humans are carbohydrate, protein & fat. At any point of time in the recent history, one of these was blamed for weight gain. Fat - the most underappreciated nutrient, was the villain for a long time which gave rise to the market for ‘low-fat’, ‘fat-free’, ‘cholesterol-free’ foods. Subsequently, for a few years it was carbs, which then opened the market for ‘low-carb’ ‘low GI rice’ etc. Who eats plain rice anyway? Protein has so far had a good reputation, but then the new weight loss villain ‘Gluten’ found in wheat is also a protein. Hence we have gluten-free aata which is not made of wheat, but has cheap GMO corn. (Coconut oil is marketed as gluten-free!!)
A recent study showed that people on a high protein diet for weight loss didn’t improve their insulin sensitivity. What is the point in losing weight when your BP levels, triglycerides and insulin levels are not improving? Would it not be easier to just get a minor case of loose motion/food poisoning or fever if reduction on the weighing scale was the sole goal (with no focus on improving our overall health). We all forgot about eating a balanced diet which we learnt in high school, that should consist of carbohydrate, protein and fat.
Little do we realise that most of the so-called Nutrition fads are backed (if not created) by the food industry to create new markets. They find new compounds to propagate every few years. This phenomenon led to the fortification of foods with Iron, Omega 3 and Vit D. Let’s ask the basic question ‘Why does something need to be fortified’? Spinach/Sesame does not need to be fortified with Iron/Omega 3 as they occur in those foods naturally. Anything in excess is bad and this has repeatedly ben proven by research. High amounts of Vitamin D is linked to cardio vascular diseases (Only in case of supplements, natural food sources never cause excess toxicity). Similarly, consumption of Omega 3, which everyone considers to be the miracle nutrient, beyond the right amount has negative effect on health.
Let’s accept the fact that one nutrient alone cannot cause weight gain or weight loss or a miracle. Its attributed to a host of other factors, but not just limited to stress, sleep, exercise and Diet.
For Weight loss, nutrition assessments/consultation and fitness training, write to pavithrakarthik@outlook.com
If you found this post useful, please share it with your friends too.
