If you've tried in the past to lose weight, you may have become discouraged if it wasn't as effective as you may have liked, or if the weight came back after you stopped the initial diet program. It's been said that a diet is in a sense training the body to gain weight, because the body is programmed to survive. If you deprive your body of what it needs to survive (food), it'll gradually learn how to store what it needs to survive for future lean times. Because fat is the most efficient way of storing the most energy, the body stores fat to help it survive.
So if you've actually gained weight after a weight loss program, it may not be you or your discipline. It may just be the natural effect of a starvation strategy. Set aside any self-recrimination, judgment and shame. Self-love and patience with oneself are much more productive.
Another factor in weight loss that's been discovered is a connection between our genetic profile and the type of diet and exercise program that will be most effective for each individual. Some people respond better to a fat reducing diet, and some to a carbohydrate reducing diet. Some people need strenuous exercise, and some only moderate exercise. Research has found that dieters who followed a diet that was appropriate to their genetics have lost 3 times as much weight in 12 months as those who chose a random diet - and they were able to keep off the extra weight.
A nutrigenomic approach can tailor a specific diet to match genetic makeup, creating a personalized diet that avoids foods that turn on detrimental genes, and focuses on foods that turn on beneficial genes.
There is also increased understanding of how physical activity affects our health. Dr. Anne McTiernan of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute in Seattle has found that exercise can reduce the risk of colon cancer by 50%. She's noticed that people who exercise at least 4 hours a week can actually turn abnormal-looking cells into normal functioning cells.
This is, of course, a very complicated arena. Scientists are in the process of mapping the complex interactions between the many genes that affect our most challenging diseases. Because this is a new industry there are few regulations in place. It's important for consumers to look for programs based on credible scientific evidence.
On April 25, 2007 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that bans employers and insurance companies from discriminating against people based on their genetic makeup. This protects consumers from denial of insurance coverage or increased premiums, or employment termination based on genetic mutations.
The program I'm exploring in this book begins with a private, in-home cheek swab genetic test, resulting in a genetic profile report (that's accessible only to the person submitting the test) with suggestions on matching diet and exercise programs, along with a website to track diet and exercise in practice. An optional counseling session with a licensed, board-certified genetic professional is also available. Patented genetic tests are currently available for weight loss, bone health, heart health and general nutrition, with more on the way. Personally I've taken all of the genetic tests to help me make smart choices about how to carry out the diet and exercise plans. Scientific results of the weight loss program are presented in a paper to the American Heart Association on March 3, 2010.
Based on scientific results, some specialized supplement blends are available for people with some identified genotype predispositions. I also realize the importance of interpersonal support, so I'm putting together teams of people who can provide mutual support as we each go through this process together.
I've just had my phone consultation with a genetics professional and I was impressed. She has a Masters degree in a field related to metabolic genetics, and her day job is in a hospital working with newborns. She was able to explain not only what my tests results mean, but how much is currently known in the field, and how all of this relates to my diet and exercise questions today.
I told her I was surprised my genetic test categorized me as needing to reduce carbs, because I've noticed throughout my life its the fat I eat that seems to turn immediately to extra weight in my body. She said there are many factors in addition to those tested, both genetic and other factors, that affect how our body uses nutrients. The reason they categorized me as a Carb Reducer is that my body uses carbs very efficiently, so when I eat more carbs than my body needs, my body stores the extra as fat to be used as energy at some future lean times. I found this very interesting! She said there's much they don't know about how these gene variations developed, however they're quite sure there was a good reason, so perhaps 10,000 years ago my ancestors lived where carbs were scarce so their bodies became very good at using every bit of the carbs they did eat.
She had a similar explanation for my exercise identity of High MET. She said my genetic predisposition is to hold onto energy stores of fat so I need more strenuous exercise to help my body be willing to let go of the fat stores.
Now I understand a bit more about the genetic signals my body responds to. I think this will help me be more patient with myself, and be encouraging as I become accustomed to a more intensive level of exercise.
Best wishes,
Marilyn McLeod
Marilyn@PersonalizedHealthCoach.com
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