Turn Off the Fat Genes - A Book Review

Once in a while a good title comes along and "TurnGeneThe Fat-Building GeneFat-Burning: Turning the
Off the Fat Genes" is one of those titles that just haveFlame HigherHow Genes Influence Your
to be written about. If you are not familiar with Dr. NealExerciseChildren and the Fat GenesFood Choices for
Barnard's work, he has been writing about how to loseOptimal Weight ControlDr. Barnard writes, "Contrary to
weight on a high carbohydrate diet for at least apopular opinion, scientific research reveals that genes
decade now.I'm amazed, as you might be, that hisare not dictators; they are committees. They do not
work is not better known. There are a number ofgive orders. They make suggestions. Genes are not
advantages to using a high carb diet and as manyrogue tyrants exerting despotic control over your
disadvantages to the low carb/ high protein diets.Therewaistline. Rather, they work in groups, often with subtle
is some great research in his books that document theeffects, and you can nudge them in the direction you
ability to lose weight on a high carbohydrate diet, whichwant them to go. You can counteract the fat genes
may also be healthier in the long run than theand boost your thin genes."In ancient times, Hippocrates
ever-popular low carbohydrate diets.You might think itsaid, "Let your food be your medicine and your
surprising, as I do, that more people are not using highmedicine be your food." Of course we aren't really
carb diets to lose weight. You might also conclude thattalking about healing as much as we are discussing
this is solely due to a lack of awareness on the part oflosing weight, but the principle applies.One thing I learned
the public.Turn of the Fat Genes, written by Dr. Nealfrom another of Dr. Barnard's books is that
Barnard features over 150 pages of menus andcarbohydrates don't make people fat. It is fat that
recipes. The recipe and menu section is verymakes people fat. And it makes sense. Carbohydrates
comprehensive and you can definitely find recipes thatpack around 4 calories per gram and fats have about
will delight you out of such a large compilation.Dr.9 calories per gram.By the way, even though it is
Bernard discusses the concept that some of thecorrect terminology, the fact is that the calories
genes that shape and influence us as human beingsdiscussed here are actually 'thousands of calories'. In
are themselves subject to influence. The genes thatnutrition they decided to make a calorie equal to 1,000
affect taste, appetite and metabolism are subject toreal life calories as measured for energy.Anyway I
the influence of the foods that we eat.Not only aredon't want to confuse anyone, because the RDA is
they subject to influence, the proper use of foods canbased on nutrition calories, also known as Calories, but
mean that you don't have to sacrifice and starveno one capitalizes the C as should be done. You can
yourself of decent nutrition. You can modify your diet,just keep thinking of calories as calories and don't
eat perhaps even more frequently and still enjoyworry about the technicalities.Back to the story. Dr.
weight loss. Does that sound incredible? It is real. YouBarnard's books on high carb diets are great reading
might feel incredulous because the masses of peopleand may inform you about healthier weight loss than
out there have been told that low carb is the way toyou are currently use to. Did I mention the recipe
go.I have been following some of the suggestions inlist?This article is for information purposes only. It is not
one of Dr. Barnard's books and I can tell you that ameant to diagnose, treat or prevent any health
high carb diet can help you lose weight. Using hiscondition. If you have or think you have a health
suggestions, I can eat a lot of food frequently and I stillcondition or even just want to diet, please consult your
seem to stay thin.To give you an idea of what kind ofphysician.David Snape writes for All Things Pondered: -
information "Turn Off the Fat Genes" can provide youwhere you can have your say and (almost) anything is
with, here is a list of some of the Chapter titles:Tastepondered. He also writes for To Be Informed: - a site
Genes: Broccoli and ChocolateAppetite and the Leptinsupportive of health, fitness and wellness.