Over the last month, I was reading on Jason Fung's The Obesity Code. His perspective is interesting and I encourage readers to read it as this new breakthrough in anti-obesity drugs come into the market and suddenly even your neighbours and loved ones are all raving about it.
Dr. Fung is a nephrologost who studied extensively on Obesity and how it relates to the importance of this one hormone, Insulin. Per Dr. Fung, the high levels of insulin in the body cause weight gain.
He argues, that many diets have failed including, low carb, low fat, high protein and so on. Some of his perspective is interesting but how does it compare to these new classes of anti-obesity drugs? The purpose of the majority of these drugs are to suppress appetite and hence a form of intermittent fasting to put the body in a state of ketosis where autophagy of fat cells is taking place. Dr. Fung argues similarly, that with the body not eating and hence starving itself, the fall in insulin occurs which in turn leads to weight loss.
Insulin, released with stimulation of food no matter fat, carbohydrate or protein. The difference is that different foods release insulin in different strength. The higher the release, the more its tendency to store fat. Does reducing the food intake slow down or reduce the release of of insulin. Perhaps, but I do see a point that the good doctor is making and I agree that his research is impressive in this field.
Regular intermittent fasting, helps the body to learn several things:
It disciplines the body to eat less and less over time, hence reducing insulin overall.
It creates a ketogenic storm that starts the autopagy of fat cell stores once the body is in a state of prolonged starvation
It also gives the gut bacteria much needed time and rest to eliminate toxins and hence clean the gut.
It helps the brain to redirect its energy to more useful tasks rather than worrying about what to eat next.
Allows for a lighter body experience and in many ways increases overall energy as the body is now diverted in accomplishing, rather than consuming.
If you get a chance, I encourge those who truly wish to learn more about obesity, read his book "The Obesity Code." I thoroughly enjoyed his perspective as different than what is taught in Obesity Medicine alone which is teaching the medical ways to help obesity rather than a complete lifestyle change in my opinion.
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