Thanks to Stephan Guyenet for bringing the study n-6 Fatty acid-specific and mixed polyunsaturate dietary interventions have different effects on CHD risk: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials to my attention in his post Diet-Heart Controlled Trials: a New Literature Review. This shows that diets high in omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturates but low in omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturates are heart-unhealthy.
In the West, we are advised to eat lots of "heart-healthy" sunflower oil & spreads. These contain about 70 times more omega-6 than omega-3. Safflower, Grapeseed, Corn & Groundnut Oils also have high omega-6:omega-3 ratios, according to Comparison of Dietary Fats Chart.
I then found the following study also on the British Journal of Nutrition:- Estimated macronutrient and fatty acid intakes from an East African Paleolithic diet.
This shows that traditional hunter-gatherer diets have a short-chain omega-3:omega-6 ratio of 1·12–1·64 and a long-chain omega-3:omega-6 ratio of 0·84–1·92. In other words, there is a moderate balance between omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturates.
The diets are also relatively high in protein (25–29% energy) and fat (30–39% energy) but moderate in carbohydrate (39–40% energy).
I thought that followers of a Paleo-type diet would find this interesting.
EDIT: I've just noticed that O Primitivo has already posted about this study!
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Essential fatty acids. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Essential fatty acids. Tampilkan semua postingan
Jumat, 03 Desember 2010
Sabtu, 10 Januari 2009
Linseeds/Flaxseeds & Flaxseed oil.
"Where flax is eaten...health abounds!" - Mahatma Ghandi.
These little seeds pack a quadruple-whammy of protein, omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), soluble fibre/fiber, and minerals, vitamins and co-factors.
What's in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil?
Click http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3163/2 and set serving size to 100g to see what nutrients there are in flaxseeds.
Click http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/fats-and-oils/7554/2 and set serving size to 100g to see what nutrients there are in flaxseed oil.
How do I eat flaxseeds and flaxseed oil?
Flaxseeds have a fibrous seed coat which swells-up when wet and passes through our guts undigested. To get the benefit of the protein, omega-3 essential fatty acids and minerals in flaxseeds, the seeds need to be crushed, cracked, chopped-up, sliced-up or ground-up using a coffee grinder, adjustable pepper grinder or most simply, a blender with a sharp blade. The resulting powder can be mixed with liquids or sprinkled on foods, though extra fluid must be drunk as the soluble fibre/fiber absorbs lots of water. Although whole flaxseeds will keep fresh at room temperature, once powdered, it's advisable to keep them in a cool dark place to minimise oxidation of any exposed fat*. Flaxseed oil must be kept refrigerated with the cap screwed on the bottle at all times after opening and it must never be used for cooking. It's O.K. sprinkled over hot food as long as the food is eaten shortly afterwards. Oxidised flaxseed oil tastes bitter and has lost any health benefits it had when fresh, so it should be discarded or used to varnish something or thin down putty. Unoxidised flaxseed oil has a nutty taste or it may taste slightly like tea. Ground-up flaxseeds hardly taste of anything.
*NEW! Milled flaxseed stability information.
How much flaxseeds and flaxseed oil do I need to eat each day?
Men are much poorer converters of alpha-linolenic acid (the omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseeds) into the longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids than women. See Eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids are the principal products of α-linolenic acid metabolism in young men , Conversion of α-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in young women and Extremely Limited Synthesis of Long Chain Polyunsaturates in Adults: Implications for Their Dietary Essentiality and Use as Supplements. Therefore, vegan men should eat ~50g of ground flaxseeds a day and women should eat ~25g a day. The daily amount of flaxseed oil for men is ~20g and the daily amount for women is ~10g. Vegan men should also supplement with vegan DHA.
Where can I buy flaxseeds and flaxseed oil?
Flaxseeds/linseeds come in different colours. The cheapest linseeds are brown/bronze ones which are often sold as bird seed in pet shops, but they can also be found in small independent health food shops. There are also golden linseeds, which is the type most often found in supermarkets. Linusit and Granovita are two well-known brands. Granovita organic flaxseed oil is a good brand and it comes in dark bottles to keep the light out as light causes photo-oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids.
These little seeds pack a quadruple-whammy of protein, omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), soluble fibre/fiber, and minerals, vitamins and co-factors.
What's in flaxseeds and flaxseed oil?
Click http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3163/2 and set serving size to 100g to see what nutrients there are in flaxseeds.
Click http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/fats-and-oils/7554/2 and set serving size to 100g to see what nutrients there are in flaxseed oil.
How do I eat flaxseeds and flaxseed oil?
Flaxseeds have a fibrous seed coat which swells-up when wet and passes through our guts undigested. To get the benefit of the protein, omega-3 essential fatty acids and minerals in flaxseeds, the seeds need to be crushed, cracked, chopped-up, sliced-up or ground-up using a coffee grinder, adjustable pepper grinder or most simply, a blender with a sharp blade. The resulting powder can be mixed with liquids or sprinkled on foods, though extra fluid must be drunk as the soluble fibre/fiber absorbs lots of water. Although whole flaxseeds will keep fresh at room temperature, once powdered, it's advisable to keep them in a cool dark place to minimise oxidation of any exposed fat*. Flaxseed oil must be kept refrigerated with the cap screwed on the bottle at all times after opening and it must never be used for cooking. It's O.K. sprinkled over hot food as long as the food is eaten shortly afterwards. Oxidised flaxseed oil tastes bitter and has lost any health benefits it had when fresh, so it should be discarded or used to varnish something or thin down putty. Unoxidised flaxseed oil has a nutty taste or it may taste slightly like tea. Ground-up flaxseeds hardly taste of anything.
*NEW! Milled flaxseed stability information.
How much flaxseeds and flaxseed oil do I need to eat each day?
Men are much poorer converters of alpha-linolenic acid (the omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseeds) into the longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids than women. See Eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids are the principal products of α-linolenic acid metabolism in young men , Conversion of α-linolenic acid to eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in young women and Extremely Limited Synthesis of Long Chain Polyunsaturates in Adults: Implications for Their Dietary Essentiality and Use as Supplements. Therefore, vegan men should eat ~50g of ground flaxseeds a day and women should eat ~25g a day. The daily amount of flaxseed oil for men is ~20g and the daily amount for women is ~10g. Vegan men should also supplement with vegan DHA.
Where can I buy flaxseeds and flaxseed oil?
Flaxseeds/linseeds come in different colours. The cheapest linseeds are brown/bronze ones which are often sold as bird seed in pet shops, but they can also be found in small independent health food shops. There are also golden linseeds, which is the type most often found in supermarkets. Linusit and Granovita are two well-known brands. Granovita organic flaxseed oil is a good brand and it comes in dark bottles to keep the light out as light causes photo-oxidation of omega-3 fatty acids.
Rabu, 31 Desember 2008
How to lose body-fat healthily.
Previous blog posts have been about Carbohydrates, Fats & Proteins. However, when you go shopping, you buy food. So this blog post is going to be about food. Updated!
1) If you're eating a high-carb diet, eat 6 small meals or 3 meals and 3 snacks per day to keep your blood glucose relatively stable. I used to believe that it also kept your metabolic rate high, but I now know this to be a myth. If you're the type of person who gets lowish blood glucose in the mornings (which may make you ravenously hungry and therefore highly likely to buy junk food when you're away from home), skipping breakfast is not advisable. If you're the type of person who isn't satisfied by small meals/snacks, a small number of large meals (Intermittent Fasting) is a better option.
2) Meals and snacks should contain proteins, fats and fibrous carbs.
3) Slow sugary/starchy carbs can be eaten in meals/snacks at breakfast and before/after workouts/exercise/intense activity. If/when you are sedentary, keep slow sugary/starchy carbs to a minimum. Keep fast sugary/starchy carbs to a minimum (except for the occasional treat or post-workout) as they can cause large fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. The more intense exercise you do, the more slow sugary/starchy carbs you can eat.
4) Drink >1.5 litres of no-added-sugar watery drinks per day. If your urine is darker than straw, drink more. If you're weeing too often, drink less.
5) Balance your omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) by eating about 100g of omega-3 rich oily fish (sild, sardines, pilchards, mackerel, herring, salmon, trout, fresh tuna etc) per day or supplement with fish oil capsules such that you get at least 2g of EPA+DHA per day. Please note that tinned tuna contains virtually zero omega-3 fat.
If you're vegetarian or vegan, eat 25g (women) or 50g ( men) of powdered linseeds (a.k.a. flaxseeds) per day with lots of fluids or supplement with flaxseed oil in bottles/capsules such that you get at least 10g (women) or 20g (men) of flaxseed oil per day.
6) Eat 2 to 3 portions of low-sugar fruits per day - preferably before meals/snacks. Minimise your consumption of high-sugar fruits.
Proteins are:- Meats, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, Quorn, seeds, nuts, legumes (peas, beans & lentils).
Fibrous carbs are:- All vegetables that grow above ground level, bulbs (onions, leeks, garlic etc) and "vegetable" fruits (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers/courgettes, aubergines, avocados, olives etc).
Slow sugary/starchy carbs are:- All-bran, no-added-sugar muesli, oats, sweet potatoes, lightly-boiled new potatoes eaten hot, cold or refrigerated, Basmati rice, non-overcooked legumes & root veggies, lumpy wholegrain rye breads, Burgen/Vogel's soya & linseed breads.
Fast sugary/starchy carbs are:- White wheat breads, wholemeal wheat breads, most breakfast cereals including Shredded Wheat, Weetabix, Cheerios, Grapenuts etc, sugar, sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, cereal bars, sweetcorn, overcooked tubers e.g. jacket potatoes, overcooked root veggies, overcooked legumes e.g. baked beans.
High sugar fruits are:- Ripe & over-ripe bananas, grapes, pineapples, sweet apples, sweet pears, sultanas, raisins, currants and any dried fruits with added sugar.
Low sugar fruits are:- Berries, stone fruits, citrus, Granny Smith apples, Conference pears. Dried apple rings, apricots, pear halves, peach halves and prunes without added sugar are high in sugar but they release that sugar very slowly.
Fats are sats, monos and the EFAs mentioned above. Butter is high in sats and monos. Olive oil & spreads are high in monos. Sunflower/safflower/corn oils & spreads are very high in omega-6 EFAs - minimise your consumption of these. Don't fry or roast with high-EFA oils as they oxidise and convert into trans-fats too quickly. Meats contain sats, monos and some EFAs. Minimise your consumption of anything with the word "hydrogenated" in the ingredients list.
Some foods fall in-between categories like yellow bananas which are medium speed sugary/starchy carbs. Green bananas are slow carbs and black bananas are fast carbs.
Depending on your insulin sensitivity, speed of metabolism and exercise levels, you may get away with eating fast sugary/starchy carbs - you'll just have to "suck it and see".
One final bijou tip-ette:- Avoid walking down "dodgy" supermarket aisles (confectionery, cereals, booze, fizzy drinks) as "What the eye don't see, the heart don't grieve over".
Happy New Year folks!
Cont'd on How to lose body-fat healthily, Part 2.
1) If you're eating a high-carb diet, eat 6 small meals or 3 meals and 3 snacks per day to keep your blood glucose relatively stable. I used to believe that it also kept your metabolic rate high, but I now know this to be a myth. If you're the type of person who gets lowish blood glucose in the mornings (which may make you ravenously hungry and therefore highly likely to buy junk food when you're away from home), skipping breakfast is not advisable. If you're the type of person who isn't satisfied by small meals/snacks, a small number of large meals (Intermittent Fasting) is a better option.
2) Meals and snacks should contain proteins, fats and fibrous carbs.
3) Slow sugary/starchy carbs can be eaten in meals/snacks at breakfast and before/after workouts/exercise/intense activity. If/when you are sedentary, keep slow sugary/starchy carbs to a minimum. Keep fast sugary/starchy carbs to a minimum (except for the occasional treat or post-workout) as they can cause large fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. The more intense exercise you do, the more slow sugary/starchy carbs you can eat.
4) Drink >1.5 litres of no-added-sugar watery drinks per day. If your urine is darker than straw, drink more. If you're weeing too often, drink less.
5) Balance your omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) by eating about 100g of omega-3 rich oily fish (sild, sardines, pilchards, mackerel, herring, salmon, trout, fresh tuna etc) per day or supplement with fish oil capsules such that you get at least 2g of EPA+DHA per day. Please note that tinned tuna contains virtually zero omega-3 fat.
If you're vegetarian or vegan, eat 25g (women) or 50g ( men) of powdered linseeds (a.k.a. flaxseeds) per day with lots of fluids or supplement with flaxseed oil in bottles/capsules such that you get at least 10g (women) or 20g (men) of flaxseed oil per day.
6) Eat 2 to 3 portions of low-sugar fruits per day - preferably before meals/snacks. Minimise your consumption of high-sugar fruits.
Proteins are:- Meats, poultry, fish, eggs, cheese, Quorn, seeds, nuts, legumes (peas, beans & lentils).
Fibrous carbs are:- All vegetables that grow above ground level, bulbs (onions, leeks, garlic etc) and "vegetable" fruits (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers/courgettes, aubergines, avocados, olives etc).
Slow sugary/starchy carbs are:- All-bran, no-added-sugar muesli, oats, sweet potatoes, lightly-boiled new potatoes eaten hot, cold or refrigerated, Basmati rice, non-overcooked legumes & root veggies, lumpy wholegrain rye breads, Burgen/Vogel's soya & linseed breads.
Fast sugary/starchy carbs are:- White wheat breads, wholemeal wheat breads, most breakfast cereals including Shredded Wheat, Weetabix, Cheerios, Grapenuts etc, sugar, sweets, chocolate, cakes, biscuits, cereal bars, sweetcorn, overcooked tubers e.g. jacket potatoes, overcooked root veggies, overcooked legumes e.g. baked beans.
High sugar fruits are:- Ripe & over-ripe bananas, grapes, pineapples, sweet apples, sweet pears, sultanas, raisins, currants and any dried fruits with added sugar.
Low sugar fruits are:- Berries, stone fruits, citrus, Granny Smith apples, Conference pears. Dried apple rings, apricots, pear halves, peach halves and prunes without added sugar are high in sugar but they release that sugar very slowly.
Fats are sats, monos and the EFAs mentioned above. Butter is high in sats and monos. Olive oil & spreads are high in monos. Sunflower/safflower/corn oils & spreads are very high in omega-6 EFAs - minimise your consumption of these. Don't fry or roast with high-EFA oils as they oxidise and convert into trans-fats too quickly. Meats contain sats, monos and some EFAs. Minimise your consumption of anything with the word "hydrogenated" in the ingredients list.
Some foods fall in-between categories like yellow bananas which are medium speed sugary/starchy carbs. Green bananas are slow carbs and black bananas are fast carbs.
Depending on your insulin sensitivity, speed of metabolism and exercise levels, you may get away with eating fast sugary/starchy carbs - you'll just have to "suck it and see".
One final bijou tip-ette:- Avoid walking down "dodgy" supermarket aisles (confectionery, cereals, booze, fizzy drinks) as "What the eye don't see, the heart don't grieve over".
Happy New Year folks!
Cont'd on How to lose body-fat healthily, Part 2.
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)