Saul Katz: Low Glycemic for Life!

OUT ON A LIMB

The actress Shirley MacLaine wrote a book of this title, going out on a limb with the hope that her reflections may help others see things more clearly or feel more sane in contrast to her musings. Authoring a blog provides me with a canvas and editorial privilege. So here I go out on a limb, with the hope that sharing my observations will also help make the world a better place. These underpinning beliefs are my anchors and guide posts, helping me to navigate with the current and explore within its grand design.

My underlying beliefs are grounded in nature, defined as ‘the physical world including all natural phenomena and living things’. Another observation that keeps me grounded and puts things in perspective for me is our stature in the universe.  We are at the same time miniscule and exceptional.  Modern radio telescopes measure the ever-expanding outer envelop of the “Big Bang”, yet we have not discovered another living planet.

With this frame of reference I hold all life on planet Earth to be exceptional. A fine balance is kept in check by the struggle to survive and competion to flourish. I believe in the infinite wisdom of nature. Nature is too brilliant to have redundant features; even the redundancies have purpose. Nature loves diversity.  Each of us is intended to be different to ensure the survival of the human specie. For example, it may be the destiny of one soul living off a Calcutta garbage dump whose immune resistance withstands a devastating pandemic that threatens mankind; giving prophecy to the biblical doctrine, “the meek shall inherit the earth”.  As such, our differences bind us. Each individual is equally important to our survival and we are each ‘g-d like’ in this vast universe. This teaches us that we must have mutual respect and appreciation for each other, and offer support when possible. 

I believe we are each born ‘hard-wired’ for survival of the individual entity, the family unit, the tribe and the human specie in that order of priority. This program drives our behavior, our desires and our cravings. We are also preprogrammed to contribute to a tribe in a particular archetypical role.

However, in the recent past we have moved out of sync with nature and in that process we have upset the environment balance through urbanization, population growth and commoditization of our food supply.

What does this have to do with low GI? Read my upcoming blog “MOTHER NATURE WANTS US TO FATTEN UP”. 

Low Glycemic Index (GI) and Low Glycemic Load (GL) foods have been proven in studies to be beneficial: dieting; weight loss; obesity; diabetes; balancing blood sugar; sustained energy; sport nutrition; mental performance; acne; eye health; macular degeneration; heart disease and forms of cancer. See also Low GI Diet, Low GI Recipes, Low GI Food, Low GI Eating.

Copyright 2008, Saul Katz

GLOBESITY - A RUNAWAY EPIDEMIC

Obesity outranks malnutrition ahead of undernourishment as a global epidemic, threatening healthcare systems worldwide.

"Globesity" is a new term that marks our generation, and reflects a worldwide epidemic that is out of control.

Obesity now outranks malnutrition worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO, of the world’s six billion people, one billion are overweight, compared to 800 million people who are undernourished. This epidemic is not restricted to developed countries as it is estimated that 33% of women and 25% percent men on the continent of Africa are overweight, and these percentages are predicted to rise to 41 % and 30 % respectively, over the next decade.

Diabetes is closely related to obesity, with 9 in 10 American diabetics being obese. Because these epidemics stem from the modern lifestyle, diet and food supply infrastructure, they are jeopardizing health care systems worldwide. Adoption of a low glycemic diet and lifestyle is recommended as a primary strategy by scientists and health policy experts to stem(?) these dual epidemics that comprise "Diabesity", another new term that evidences the interlinked relationship between obesity and diabetes.

According to Technology Watch, a publication sponsored by the National Research Council of Canada, "The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Office (FAO) of the United Nations stated that globally, overweight populations are a bigger problem than undernourishment, and recommended people in industrialized countries base their diets on low glycemic (GI) foods to prevent most of the common diseases of affluence." [Technology Watch: The Glycemic Index (V2, Issue 3); Food and Agriculture Organization, 1997. The role of the glycemic index in food choice. IN: Carbohydrates in Human Nutrition: Report of joint FAO/WHO expert Consultation, Rome, April 1997. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome FAO 1998 Commission.

Many countries are implementing Low GI initiatives in an effort to address the growing epidemics of obesity and diabetes head on. For example, the Government of Australia has developed The Glycemic Index (GI) Symbol Program as a joint public health initiative of the Government of Australia, Diabetes Australia and The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Australia. The program enables consumers to make low GI food choices with the use of a special low GI symbol that appears on food packaging of accredited products that have been Low GI tested by an accredited laboratory. In Canada, Glycemic Index Laboratories, is a laboratory that tests and clinically validates the GI of food products such as Solo GI™ Low Glycemic Nutrition Bars.

Don’t be a statistic! Take action today to learn more about the Glycemic Index (GI) so that you and your family can benefit from making low GI food choices and live a healthier low glycemic lifestyle.

Visit my Low Glycemic Blog every day as I am dedicated to provide you with information to help you make small changes over time that will have a dramatic impact on your energy level, with your weight management and overall health and well being.

Low Glycemic Index (GI) and Low Glycemic Load (GL) foods have been proven in studies to be beneficial: dieting; weight loss; obesity; diabetes; balancing blood sugar; sustained energy; sport nutrition; mental performance; acne; eye health; macular degeneration; heart disease and forms of cancer. See also Low GI Diet, Low GI Recipes, Low GI Food, Low GI Eating.

Copyright 2008, Saul Katz

THE GLYCEMIC INDEX - WHAT ALL DIETS HAVE IN COMMON

To lose weight and keep it off you need to adopt a sensible and healthy approach to weight loss that is sustainable for life. Highly restrictive diets (i.e. low fat, low carb, low calorie) are largely ineffective in the long term as they work against the body’s survival program, and often result in rebound weight gain and yo-yo dieting, notwithstanding the best intentions. In fact, for many people it is about one failed diet after another.

Let’s have a look at how the Glycemic Index (GI) works with the body to achieve effortless weight loss by regulating blood sugar levels. The Glycemic Index (GI) is a scientific measurement that ranks how fast a particular carbohydrate containing food elevates blood sugar, on a scale where a reference food (glucose) is fixed at 100. The key to sustainable weight loss is proper carb selection, NOT reduction or elimination as promoted by popular low-carb diets.

The key is in learning which carbohydrates are low GI, what makes them so, and how they impact your ability to lose weight. Carbs should optimally comprise 45-65% of the calories in your diet. They are your body’s preferred source of energy and provide ingredients vital to health such as fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients. Just as modern science showed us that not all fats are evil, we are now learning that not all carbs are created equal.

The fat promoting carbs (high GI carbs) are digested rapidly, elevating blood sugar and insulin levels. Insulin is a powerful hormone that shuttles sugar into the cells of the body for energy, and helps convert and store surplus sugar as fat, as an energy storehouse, for later use. High GI diets are primarily responsible for that mid-afternoon blood sugar (energy) crash which sends you reaching for more high GI carbs to lift you back up, taxing your body’s insulin-regulating response and sending you into a blood sugar roller coaster.

To avoid this from happening, you need to choose low GI carbs that are digested and metabolized more slowly, allowing for a gradual “time-release” of sugar and insulin into the blood stream – so your body is more likely to use the sugar for energy at that time, instead of converting it into fat. In addition to preventing fat storage, low GI snacks such as SoLo Gi™ Low Glycemic Nutrition Bars, are ideal for weight loss because they also prevent the spike, crash and crave cycle, provide sustained energy, and keep you feeling satisfied so you can get to your next meal on fewer calories. It is my goal is to educate you on the key elements of the Glycemic Index in relation to weight loss and how low GI carbs can help to facilitate this process.

As the GI is something to be adopted for long term health, let’s first focus on making some simple yet important modifications in your diet so you can get started today. Even these small changes will result in improved energy levels, better concentration and the shedding of pounds. Try, in general to cut back on products made from refined grains – white bread, bagels, crackers, as well as baked potatoes and white rice. These foods raise blood sugar faster table sugar. Instead, replace them with beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and when on-the-go clinically-validated snacks such as SoLo Gi™ Low Glycemic Nutrition Bars.

To speed up fat loss, you need to slow down your blood sugar! Tomorrow, you will learn more about how blood sugar balance is intricately regulated by the hormones in your body and how this relates to the magic behind weight loss using the GI. Tip of the day: Remember that fiber is your friend. Fiber-containing foods (those recommended above) help to slow the digestion process (and the GI), promoting blood sugar balance. Additionally, fiber can help you to feel full for longer, so you’re less likely to get hunger pangs and reach for the cookie tin. Other benefits of fiber consumption include keeping your bowels healthy, helping to lower cholesterol levels, and promoting healthy gut bacteria. Low Glycemic Index (GI), low Glycemic Load (GL) foods have been proven in studies to be beneficial for: diet, weight loss, obesity/diabetic, blood sugar management, sports/sport nutrition, energy foods, mental performance, concentration, acne, eye health, macular degeneration, disease prevention: diabetes, heart disease and forms of cancer.