Eating the Right Fats Can Help You Lose Weight

Recent studies highlight the importance of essential Omega-3 fatty acids in fighting heart disease and inflammatory conditions.  These fatty acids - found in fish, walnuts, flax, etc. -- also boost the immune system and have been shown to protect against cancer.

Cultures that have been studied for their health -- where fish was not a substantial part of their diet -- consumed large amounts of cheese, butter and fresh milk and beef from cows that were allowed to graze on pasture only.  The common factor between a fish-based culture and a fresh beef and milk culture is that all the foods mentioned are high in Conjugated Linolenic Acids (CLA). CLA is an anti-carcinogen (also found highly in lamb and buffalo).

 CLAs have been shown to inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells, malignant melanoma, colorectal and lung cancer.  They also can lower LDL cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol.

Is it only ironic that -- according to the USDA -- in the past twenty years, beef consumption has dropped 50%, yet heart disease rates have remained high. This proves, it seems, that heart disease is not caused by good animal fat.

Currently, the consumption of CLA is one-third that of what is necessary to even offer cancer protection. As well, the CLA levels in milk today are one-third that of what they were in 1960 (due to pasteurization and other processes).

Why are we fatter than ever before...yet we eat low-fat and no-fat foods? Eating the essential fatty acids (in beef, cheese, dairy and fish) helps our bodies metabolize other fats more efficiently, thereby contributing to weight loss. Human studies have shown that consuming moderate amounts of CLA for three months without dieting resulted in as much as 20% loss of body fat.

Supermarket beef and milk is not recommended for anyone. Cattle raising practices have become laced with hormones, antibiotics and pesticide residue from the grains fed to the animals. Plus, it has an overabundance of Omega 6s with an extremely low amount of Omega 3s and CLA (Omega 3 & 6 are supposed to be equal in the diet to get the most benefit). Therefore, it is more beneficial to purchase beef or buffalo that has been allowed to graze on grass alone (rather than on hormone laden grains).

The downside of commercial milk is the homogenization process it goes through. Homogenization blends the fat globules with the rest of milk.  However, the milk fat contains an enzyme called Xanthine Oxidase (XO), which damages arterial walls and therefore is a suspected cause of heart disease. Also, when milk is pasteurized, many protective health-promoting nutrients are destroyed.  This may explain the sudden rise in heart disease that occurred within 2 years after the introduction of pasteurization.

CLA intake is related to a 74% decreased risk of breast cancer and its recurrence. It has been proven that women with breast cancer have lower CLA levels in their blood than those without the disease.

When CLA is ingested, it becomes part of the immune system, which identifies whether or not a particular cell is a normal cell or a cancer cell. So, think of CLA as a really good detective. If there is a lack of CLA, cancer cells are not as easily recognized and are less likely to be killed by the immune system.

TIPS:

• To get the best nutrients (CLAs), do not run to a local drug store.  They are the most digestible and most nutritious in their natural form found in nature.
• Most people think they cannot afford to eat organically raised beef. Surprisingly, it is the same price or cheaper because the farmers who raised grass fed only animals, do not have the high overhead of buying hormone and pesticide laced grains or for the hormone shots to get the beef to grow faster than normal.
• To find a year-round, Grass-fed only beef/buffalo supplier, please talk to Dr. Amanda

 

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