The Vitamin D Council Obesity list of obesity research points to a definite association between low 25(OH)D levels and obesity.
Vitamin D, being fat soluble, is carried round the body in fat molecules.
When glucose is being used as fuel, fat is being stored and so the D3 inside the fat molecule also gets stored in fat cells.
Fat cells release pro inflammatory cytokines so the larger and more numerous your fat cells the more your inflammatory status is raised, while at the same time you are being progressively denied the powerful anti-inflammatory actions of D3
It is vicious spiral of decline that needs a sustained input of effective amounts of vitamin D3 5000~10,000iu/daily ($5 discount WAB666) until a 25(OH)D test shows levels are above 55ng 137.5nmol/l
The reasons low carb eating helps inflammation big time are that insulin levels are not regularly being raised as high or for as long so the anti inflammatory vitamin D is allowed to circulate and as fat is now being released from fat cells to be burnt as fuel so the Vitamin D that was stored with it is being released and available to perform it's anti inflammatory function
Stephan at Whole Health Source has been running a series of posts on omega 6 vegetable oils and their impact on insulin resistance and heart disease. Well worth reading, the comments sections after the blog provide more detail and clarification. Vegetable Oil and Weight Gain
Hi David:
What I coincidence, I have just finished reading both books. I discovered the Inflammation Factor Rating when I did my sharepost,
Tips and Tools for Better Blood Sugar Control on May 17th and wanted to know more about this.
www.nutritiondata.com is a great place to Track and Analyze what we eat.
Is also gives the ratio of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids contain in food , and the Nutrition Target Map allows you to see at a glance how foods line up with your nutritional and weight-management goals.
Regards
Joan
I'm so glad you are giving this some attention as I believe it is the greats breakthrough for Diabetics since the Glycemic Index and even more far reaching as inflammation would seem to be the root of most of our maladies or conditions.
There's a quizz that can help us figure out what we know or need to know about the IF factor of foods and learn some of it along the way. http://nutrition.about.com/library/bl_inflam_quiz.htm
And another to determine our own risk level: http://nutrition.about.com/library/bl_antiinflammatory_diet_quiz.htm
I agree that http://www.nutritiondata.com/ is a great site. Monica seems to stress that it is not a diet pre se but an attempt to keep things fairly balanced or on the non-inflammatory side. She has a great blog that goes along with that site where she answers various questions. http://blog.nutritiondata.com/ndblog/
while this research is intriguing there is other research which may imply that (abdominal) weight gain triggers the insulin resistance- the mechanism is via adiponectin, hypothesized via resistance/deficiency, or differing phenotype- so it does seem that for some patients, an increase in abdominal weight (environmental), along with an aberrational adiponectin response (genetic) leads to insulin resistance, analagous to the same inflammatory macrophage progression described here- no doubt chronic inflammation is a hot research area now- let's hope we're still around when some of the theoretical smoke clears
In response to your comment regarding research that may imply that (abdominal) weight gain triggers the insulin resistance, I was told back in the 70's that I was insulin resistant (but was not given any info about what that meant.) At that time, I was at or near, the ideal weight (128-132) for my height (5'6.5"), according to my doctor. I did not begin to add abdominal weight until after menopause in 1990. Based on my own experience, I would probably question the hypothesis that abdominal weight gain triggers insulin resistance.
Dr. Andrew Weil, Founder of the Alternative Medicine program at the University of Arizona, has a wonderful Anti-inflammatory diet that makes a big difference for patients. It is on his web site that you can find just by looking up andrewweil.com or antiflammatory diet This aspect related to Diabetes has been something I have talked about with patients for some time. I believe that it is critical to improving outcomes. Thanks for all that you share with everyone and to these people who have worked so hard on this.
Marianna Gammon, MSRDCDE
My understanding is that: Insulin Resistance comes about as a down-regulation in the cellular-response following years of elevated Insulin levels... and of course the years of elevated Insulin levels is caused by the over-abundance of refined/concentrated carbohydrates in the diet. In other words, the cells become used to high levels of insulin and it takes ever more to ellicit the same response...
The very well known physical trainer Jillian Michaels who has been on TV on her series The biggest loosers
states in her books and on her radio program on saturday mornings has advised everyone to avoid any form of soy that is available as it will literally kill you. Evidently it causes breast cancer, thyroid disease and all manner of problems. one should not drink soy milk nor eat it in any form.
i have a problem with this as the society that eats the most of this food are the asian community and it is found in and at every meal.
07/15/09
This past week, I just so happened to read all of the books you just mentioned. The theory sounds good, and it makes sense to me, but I'm not so sure i believe it because I have been an overweight (abdominal gut) type 2 diabetic for the past 15 years. I am VERY insulin resistant, yet my 06/15/09 CRP test results were 1.2 mg/L out of a range of 0.0 - 4.9. In addition, out of 37+ allergens tested, all were absent/undetectable. My A1C was 6.0. For the past 3 months, out of the clear, blue sky, my entire body has been breaking out in itchy, red, welty hives. To me (and my doctor), hives would indicate some sort of inflammation/allergy going on, yet none of my tests showed inflammation or allergy at all. I search on. If anyone has any hints as to another research direction to pursue, I would appreciate your suggestions.
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Hi, as someone with allergies (If it is green and grows, I'm probably allergic to it!) you don't have to be allergic to something, to have hives. Some questions to ask yourself; Been stressed lately? Taken any sulfa drugs (antibiotics)? Ate a bunch of shellfish, beans, cruciferous vegetables at the same time (sulfur overload). New perfume? New hair spray? Spouse; New after shave? At work; new chemicals? new cleaning supplies? I sure you get the picture. It could be anything!
Allergy tests don't necessarily catch everything you could be allergic to, just the most common ones. Also, some foods may show up as a negative but when you do an elimination diet you discover you feel better (no hives, upset stomach, head-ache) when you don't eat that food. Good luck on your hunt for what's causing you hives, because they are miserable!
Judy
Sulfur, huh? I'll try that. I do eat cruciferous vegetables, beans, and fish oil.
Thanks for the suggestion. I guess I'll be eating a lot of non-starchy, non-cruciferous vegetables and some fruit. Can't do a lot of protein due to kidney impairment. Perhaps just a very small amount of Egg Whites for protein will have to do.
Hopefully, relief will be on its way soon.
I appreicate the information you gave about what foods to eat. What I would like is for a plan of action that takes a person who whole diet has been the wrong to the correct one slowly. I can not go from old eating to the new eating foods because it has been an almost cold turkey experience. My body has been craving breads, white carb, and chocolate since my diagnosis. help me
I do understand the cravings, both in theory and in my personal experience. And some people can go cold turkey and others can't. I couldn't and I guess you couldn't too. It took me years to loose my addiction to wheat and sugar, but I have done it now. Stay the course! It's worth it to cut down slowly.
David
Fat Albert Cossin again: My attitude toward nutrition and health was downright STUPID! I found out that, if i eat healthy, I can afford (healthwise) to have a big fat rack of ribs now and then. Besides, once you learn that you gotta make a change in your lifestyle, you simply learn to "pig-out" on healthier things. Hey hey hey. One myth I'll dispose of RIGHT now, and that's the erronious belief that eating healthier means eating boring, bland food (rice cakes, tofu, cauliflower, lima-beans, and s**t like that )! When you go to a restrant, avoid starchy stuff like potatoes, bread (you can still have a bite or two, but no more) and go very light on sugary stuff. Also, start "juicing." Make sure you buy "organic" vegetables when possible. GMOs are often harmful. About 70% of the produce sold in regular grocery stores ARE GMOs! Find out what fruits and vegetables FIGHT inflammation. That, too will help you fight your diabetes. Some chakra meditation music (avoid anything with "chanting" in it unless you know what "language" they're speaking, what's being SAID, and what "DIETIES" the chanters may be invoking! for all you know, some of those "secret-words" could be calling on evil spirits!! So just play it safe and get only INSTRUMENTAL chakra music.) for spiritual balancing ( I call that "spiritual aerobics"). Also do quiet meditation (where you let your mind go "blank"--believe me, that's harder than you may think, but it is important that you let your mind "clear itself out" at least twice a week. Even PSTD sufferers benifit GREATLY from it), learn to "go with the flow" until you absolutely HAVE to swim against the grain. If the waters get too turbulent, calmly swim sideway to the shore. Hey hey hey! Read the encouraging books within the Bible,.. and talk to God... not with stuffy "card-board prayers", but talk to him the same way you would talk to a dear friend-- that is very "therapeutic" also. And the great spirit in the sky does hear you. Ofcourse, if you are an athiest or no-nonsense "rationalist," just listen to some soft music, close your eyes and set your mind at ease. Let the soft music carry you gently away. when you get finished, you'll feel refreshed. It is done, it is so, it is "written", let it flow! hey hey hey.
Oh, and by the way,... It's "BIG" Albert, now! ... broad shouldered , barrel-chested. I wish I could do something about my round head and I still think my neck's too short.. but at least I look one HELL of a lot better than I did when I was shaped like a tomato! Yeah, I like going to the fair and being able to ride the midway rides. Women are noticing me too, now. I'm still a bit heavy-set, but I look good... so people tell me. I FEEL good, too. well, I'm gone. hey hey hey.
It sure is "frustrating" when you forget to MENTION things! I've heard of an anti-inflammation product that's supposed to be "REVOLUTIONARY" (word's like that make me very skeptical). It's a cactus fruit drink called "Nopalea(?)" Now since I've never tried it before, I'm afraid I can't say much about it. Hey hey hey. Just something to "try." The stuff sure is "expensive" though. I've seen too many things like that on T.V. Too many things I've ordered and tried that didn't work (not for ME, anyway). There's still PLENTY of "snake-oil" being sold out there. But the independant "reviews" for Nopalea are good (if that means anything). But until a trusted "friend" recommends the stuff to you, be wise and "keep your money." I'm not kidding, the stuff's $EXPENSIVE!$ $$$$ H H H
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David,
As you know I am a Type II for the past 10 years. When I checked my CRP (C Reactive Protein) levels on Jan 2008 while on regular ADA diet, my CRP was 12 and Dr told me that I have to start the medication.
I did not and started the Low Carb on June 2008. My CRP level that was tested since July 2008 thru April 2009 (tested 5 times) and all cases it was less than 1.
In my opinion, Low Carb does help fighting inflammation big time.
Thanks for the article.
Thanks
Venkat
CRP was reduced by 43% by a high carb diet also. Diet was 24% fat/59% carbs (unrefined, non-processed only), and 18% Protein. Don't remember the names of these studies, but they were referenced in EAT TO LIVE by Joel Fuhrman, M.D.
Thanks for the information Leaking Ink.
Venkat