I find this very interesting, is there some evidence of this? Also I have read that your body responds to the tasting of sugar as well and can cause the same noncaloric effects as consumption of fructose. So although you get no calories in splenda, truvia or nutrasweet, you body responds as if it got fructose.
I think the storing fat for winter part is logical but speculative. Gundry connects it to the bear fattening up to hibernate. We are closer related to jungle dwelling great apes. So maybe its the same logic? I have read elsewhere and think its widely accepted that fructose causes elevated triglycerides compared to other sugars. Dr. McDougall is one of the most solid and thorough researchers among nutrition writers. He states: ...Purified Carbohydrates Raise Triglycerides A common teaching is that carbohydrates are bad because they cause blood triglycerides to increase (higher triglycerides are associated with more heart disease). These findings are based upon experimental designs using simple sugars and refined flours (and/or the subjects were required to eat more food than they could comfortably consume â they were force-fed).3,4 The rise in triglycerides is caused primarily by an increase in synthesis of these blood fats by the liver.5 For example, when people with already elevated triglycerides were fed a diet rich in sugar for 6 weeks their levels increased by 45.2%.6 However, when starches, the complex form of carbohydrate found in whole grains, beans, potatoes, and green and yellow vegetables, rather than sugars, are fed to people, the triglyceride levels do not increase.7 My experience has been that people who are having problems getting their cholesterol and triglycerides under control need to stop using refined flour products and simple sugars. Even fruit and fruit juices must be limited because they are high in sugars called fructoseâthis kind of sugar (fructose) causes a greater rise in triglycerides than any other kind of sugar.8 .... Fructose Promotes Obesity Fructose is the most powerful sweetener of all naturally-occurring sugars; even table sugar (sucrose) owes much of its taste to fructose. (Sucrose is a disaccharide made of one glucose and one fructose molecule.) Corn is the most common source of this kind of sugar and is designated by the name high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This cheap brand of sugar now represents 40% of the caloric sweeteners added to foods and beverages, and is the sole sweetener used in soft drinks in the United States. (Note: Coca-Cola in the old fashioned bottles from Mexico is made from the natural sugar, glucose.) De novo lipogenesis, the synthesis of fat from sugar, occurs readily with fructose, whereas with other kinds of simple sugars, like glucose, this synthesis does not commonly occur.11 Many experts blame the recent rise in obesity on high fructose corn syrup consumption.12 The use of this HFCS has increased by more than 1000% between 1970 and 1990.13 Fructose affects hormones very much like the way that fat does; it increases hunger, which results in more dietary fat and food intake. In addition, fructose does not stimulate brain satiety, as glucose does....11 from: http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2006nl/oct/sugar.htm
Okay. I just think it's fascinating that someone who smokes a pack a day would be overly concerned about dietary habits and their health effects. And while I agree that excessive meat consumption is unhealthy, I wonder what your cut-off point would be for tobacco. Can you see why I'm intrigued by the rather obvious disconnect?
No, not sure why is it so fascinating to you. I don't know anyone whose behavior is 100% consistent or conflict free. I mentioned my smoking as way of illustrating the health promoting effects of a whole plant food diet. What I find so striking, is that eating in this manner eliminates many of the signs of stress on the body that smoking typically induces- like getting sick more or having respiratory issues. Chinese medicine believes the lungs and intestines are paired- meaning what you eat has a big effect on your breathing. I am not saying any amount of smoking is healthy or risk free. But from the research (some posted earlier in the thread by Nodoji), individuals sensitivity to smoking varies, and diet appears to be an important co-factor in tobacco related illnesses.
Please provide studies showing whole foods vegans have low B12. I've been vegan over 6 years and have had my blood tested every 6 months at the least. My B12 is smack dab in the middle of the healthy range, my calcium and protein levels are HIGHER than most of my meat/dairy-eating friends who have their lab work available, and I've never had a zinc or iron deficiency. A friend sent me that article a few days ago. It reminded me of the Yes Men presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkTG6sGX-Ic Sewage sludge and livestock feces are recycled and used as âamendmentsâ to livestock feed: http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agri...agriculture/they-eat-what-the-reality-of.html If youâre a consumer of factory farmed meat/dairy (nearly all restaurant and grocery store products in the U.S.) youâre eating a lot of stuff you don't want to think about too deeply.
You are either supplementing with a vitamin pill and/or eating processed fortified food products that have B12 (and other vitamin/minerals) added ..eg. soymilk, veggie burgers, whole grain breads, crackers, cereals etc
I'm pretty sure the type of fuel the human body can use most depends on how physically active you are and how mentally active you are. I can't quote studies but from past experiences I know that meats are good for a day of intense physical activity. A high fiber meal is good for days that require heavy mental activity.
The only connection there is between physical activity and your diet is the amount of food you can or should eat. More activity, more food (more calories). It's still important to make each calorie count, and to make sure that you get as many nutrients as possible with each and every one of them. Which makes a whole foods plant based diet optimal - even for a vegan athlete. Eating meat "for a day of intense physical activity" is no better or worse than eating meat for a day of leisure.