How Eades Came To Low Carb
Amazing story of Dr. Michael Eades' own weight gain and loss and how he realized that he needed to go against the medical orthodoxy at the time (and even still) to help patients get slim and healthy:
When I, myself, had gotten fat, I had tried a few diets that were then being extolled (including the Pritikin diet) and had experienced pretty much the same thing most people did with these diets: I lost a few pounds, drifted from the diet, and regained the lost weight plus a little. I then started thinking seriously about obesity as a medical problem, and, in an effort to learn all I could about it, I turned to the medical textbooks on my shelves. Unfortunately, none of them contained any information I found particularly enlightening. The texts went into great detail about the risks associated with obesity and the many diseases that it either caused or made worse, but, other than recommending caloric restriction, none really discussed the treatment. None really discussed (at least not to my satisfaction) what happens metabolically that makes people store excess fat.I next turned to physiology texts, which didn't help a lot, either. I then grabbed my old medical school biochemistry textbook (I hadn't been out of med school all that long at the time, so it was fairly current) and struck gold. I started tracing out all the pathways for fat storage and noticed that in virtually every one insulin turned up somewhere. Then I started reading about all the pathways involving insulin and realized that excess insulin had to be the agent driving the storage of excess fat. I then went back to the physiology texts, reread them in light of my new found knowledge, and discovered that they reinforced what I had learned from the biochemistry text. I just hadn't realized it, until I had made the insulin connection. (I drew out all the different pathways insulin worked through on piece of paper that we've saved, but I can't lay my hands on it right now. If I find it, I'll post it.)
This was long before the days of Google and online searches; in fact, it was at least two years before I owned my first computer. So I did what you did in those days: I trekked to the medical library at the med school, ran a search on insulin and obesity through their system, and came up with a handful of papers. The research into this field was quite new and sparse back then, but I learned about the newly proposed theory of insulin resistance, which answered my question as to why anyone would ever develop excess insulin levels in the first place.
Then I asked myself the big question: If I have too much insulin (and I was guessing I did - it wasn't something you measured in those days unless you were in a scientific lab), how do I get it down? There were only two conclusions. Don't eat. Or don't eat carbohydrates. The latter seemed to make a lot more sense over the long run.
I remembered the Atkins diet. I had read his book ten years before, but that was before I went to medical school and was while I was still rail thin. (Why did I read it? Because it was a huge bestseller, much in the news, and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.) I dug out my copy and reread it. Nowhere was insulin mentioned in the original book. He talked about some mysterious fat mobilizing substance (FMS, as he called it), which couldn't be insulin because insulin doesn't mobilize fat - it stores it. The references cited in the back of the Atkins book for FMS listed scientific papers written in German. But, by then, I was on to insulin, so I didn't bother trying to seek them out.
I decided to design a diet for myself with lowering insulin in mind. What I came up with (with MD's help) was the basis for what ultimately became Protein Power
. I lost weight like crazy. Many of my patients noticed my weight loss and started clamoring for me to help them to become thin.
More on the patients at the above link.
including the Pritikin diet
He tried that? Ouch. That's masochism.
When I had to lose 20kgs years ago, I did it the old fashioned way - just generally restrict caloric intake, no snacking, exercise every day, eat whatever was on for dinner - including crumbed lamb chops with extra gravy. And it's stayed off ever since.
These days though it's largely maintained the French way, with red wine and cigarettes to suppress the appetite.
Ltw at March 28, 2011 2:15 AM
I"m down from 167 to 154 since Nov 1st, and I'm not super low carb. I'm 5 ft 10, so I wasn't fat at 167, but was bigger than I wanted to be. Still am, but this is so easy, I'm not worried. I'll be a thin size 8 by summer.
I'm also hypoglycemic (diagnosed at 18) so this is good for me there too.
momof4 at March 28, 2011 6:04 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/03/28/how_eades_came.html#comment-1970083">comment from momof4Wow, amazing, momof4. Congrats!
Amy Alkon
at March 28, 2011 6:13 AM
I finally got my boyfriend to try the Atkins diet (a week ago today, as a matter of fact). I've been "cheating" like crazy, so I said I'd go on induction with him.
He'd lost 4 pounds by Saturday, and I'm down almost 7. He's pre-diabetic and we're both on high blood pressure meds, so I think it will be interesting when we go back in a few months for blood tests to see where we're at. I know the last time I did Atkins my cholesterol and blood pressure numbers were so good no one could believe it.
It works, people.
Daghain at March 28, 2011 4:44 PM
Before someone does Atkins... Which is unhealthy because of too low a carb restriction, they would help themselves by studying the research of Dr Donald K Layman. Atkins based his book in part on Laymans research but got it wrong.
The key is TARGETED protein.. High quality (with Leucine) with balanced carb intake. You need 1.5 grams of protein per pound of your body weight- THREE times a day. At each meal you should have no more than the same in starchy carbs plus about the same in "smart" carbs (though you can go over a bit with them).
Going too low in carbs does not give you enough energy fuel and is actually harmful. The balanced approach is not only healthier... It's easier. And protein shakes are good for packing in a few more protein grams if you need them (or tofu, if it's organic -as that is only vegetable with Leucine).
Snacks should be protein/carb balanced as well. Nuts, cheese, Greek style yogurt, all good choices.
We ARE killing ourselves with our western, high carb, processed food diet. Soon there will not be enough dialysis machines for some countries populations who are emulating our diet... And consequently, our health problems.
Sue at March 28, 2011 6:56 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/03/28/how_eades_came.html#comment-1972361">comment from SueBefore someone does Atkins... Which is unhealthy because of too low a carb restriction
Oh, please. Explain the Masai and the Inuit.
Sue, you don't know what you're talking about.
Amy Alkon
at March 28, 2011 7:30 PM
Sue, you need to read more. If I go over 10-15 grams of carbs a day, I GAIN weight. If I followed your advice I'd weigh 400 pounds.
And I hate to break it to you, but I've never felt more sick, lethargic, and crabby than when I was a vegetarian, or when I was eating the "right" amount of carbs. I feel awesome now, on TEN GRAMS OF CARBS A DAY.
Here, have a map and a flashlight.
Daghain at March 28, 2011 9:11 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/03/28/how_eades_came.html#comment-1972702">comment from DaghainHah - love it, Daghain. And you're absolutely right -- and you echo how I feel.
Amy Alkon
at March 28, 2011 9:47 PM
The other thing I will say is that the '72 version of the Atkins diet is still, IMHO, far and away better than the new, fluffy-bunny "But we really love carbs!" version they're touting now. My CCL is extremely low - 10-15 carbs, as I said earlier, and the "new" Atkins starts out around 20, if I remember correctly. Plus, this "net carbs" thing is crap. A carb is a carb is a carb, subtracting fiber is just lying to yourself. I'd have given up pretty quickly had I started on that one.
The '72 Atkins just makes more sense to me, because you add 5 carbs a week until you stop losing, then go back 5 and stay at that level until you get to where you want to be. Everyone's tolerance is different, and this is a great way to tailor the diet for your own body's needs.
And, for those of you who are interested, you can always find used copies on Amazon, eBay, or Abesbooks. Just be sure to check the publication date.
Daghain at March 28, 2011 10:33 PM
It's not ME saying it Amy... though you are, as always, so kind and polite in your interactions here.
It is Dr. Donald K. Layman... considered the TOP nutritional researcher in the US... one of the top 5 in the world.
Dr. Layman has over 90 peer reviewed articles... how many peer reviewed articles does Atkins have? Or Eades, for that matter? I thought your mantra was "science based research?" Atkins and Eades have it right in part... it IS about protein, as I said... but BALANCED carbs... not super low carbs.
Who IS Dr. Layman? Well... for one... Layman was Associate Editor of the "Journal of Nutrition" as well as Associate Editor of "Nutrition and Metabolism" and on the editorial board of the "Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior."
Layman has won the Shannon Award from the National Institute of Health among others.. here is his bio... http://fshn.illinois.edu/people/donald_layman
As I said (you probably just missed that part), Atkins based his book, in part, on Layman's research... but he missed the big picture in doing so.
Daghain.. You obviously only skimmed what I said... and yes... you gained weight as a vegetarian because you didn't get enough PROTEIN or, more importantly LEUCINE. So you might want to educate yourself a bit more as well... in addition to reading my post more carefully. I never said go carb crazy... I said BALANCED carbs not to exceed protein grams.
Those people that gain weight by eating even a moderate amount of carbs do so, in general, because they are not eating enough PROTEIN to go with it. When you eat 30 grams of protein, you can eat up to 30 grams of starchy carbs (sweet potato is better than white - whole grain rice better than white or processed) too and still lose weight. However if you eat 30 grams of carbs and only 10 of protein... YES, you will have a problem.
I have lost more than 30 pounds now... and still am losing, It's all about maintaining healthy MUSCLE tissue... and to do so you have to eat enough protein with LEUCINE, as I stated above. Eating less than 1.5 grams per pound of body weight (3 times a day) will not even trigger protein synthesis to turn the protein into muscle and new tissue. It will simply burn it as fuel. Leucine is the branched chain amino acid that acts as the "trigger" to turn on protein synthesis.
Per 30 years of (peer reviewed) scientific research by Dr. Layman.
Sue at March 29, 2011 6:24 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/03/28/how_eades_came.html#comment-1974055">comment from SueIt's not ME saying it Amy... though you are, as always, so kind and polite in your interactions here.
People posting as if they know science because they have their favorite doctor irritate me. Carbohydrates are not necessary. I'm on deadline and I don't have time to debate the silliness you're advocating.
Read Why We Get Fat and Good Calories, Bad Calories. They reference a body of work that supports my contention that you're full of it.
I'm as thin as I am (and wildly healthy, according to my health stats from my physical) pretty much sans exercise because I don't eat carbohydrates (save for those I get in green beans and salad, on which I pour butter and salad dressing).
More on those who eat only meat: http://www.biblelife.org/stefansson3.htm
Amy Alkon
at March 29, 2011 6:37 AM
Plus, this "net carbs" thing is crap. A carb is a carb is a carb, subtracting fiber is just lying to yourself.
Eades too says that fiber may be subtracted, since it is metabolically inert. "A carb is a carb" sounds suspiciously like "a calorie is a calorie"; that is to say, it's empty sloganeering.
kishke at March 29, 2011 7:13 AM
I'll stick to my carb is a carb is a carb theory, only because I have empirical proof that for me, it is. I suspect I can't possibly be alone in that one. YMMV.
*****Those people that gain weight by eating even a moderate amount of carbs do so, in general, because they are not eating enough PROTEIN to go with it. When you eat 30 grams of protein, you can eat up to 30 grams of starchy carbs (sweet potato is better than white - whole grain rice better than white or processed) too and still lose weight. However if you eat 30 grams of carbs and only 10 of protein... YES, you will have a problem.
*****
I believe I JUST told you I CANNOT eat more than 10-15 grams of carbs A DAY, regardless of how much protein I eat. Obviously, YOU are the one doing the "skimming". Feel free to give me a call and you can move in and watch me get fatter following your advice, Sue. Please go read the books Amy suggested.
Daghain at March 29, 2011 3:16 PM
OMG... You say... "People posting as if they know science because they have their favorite doctor irritate me."
Huh?! Seriously?
So how exactly is you quoting Dr. Eades different?
The "silliness" I'm advocating is actually well respected, scientific, peer reviewed research. After all... It's not like Dr. Layman is my neighborhood GP. Did you even bother to look at who this man is?
I would bet if you ask Dr. Eades... you'll even find that he based his book, in part, on Dr. Layman's research. Most of the low carb - protein focused diet books do since he is a leader in the field.
You somehow thought I was saying Eades is wrong and because you think I'm questioning your favorite Doctor you want to attack and insult me.
This is not a playground fight of "my Doctor's better than your Doctor."
I never even said Eades is wrong about protein, low carbs or the relationship to diabetes ... on the contrary, he is right - they are related. I'm only trying to clarify that the biggest point to take away about low-carb / high protein diets (from Layman's research) is that VERY restricted carbs (or no carbs) are not necessary for weight loss as long as carbs are kept in balance with the right amount of protein (frankly that amount of carbs IS low carb for most people who suck down hundreds of grams per meal). Also carbs are a good source of quick, easy to burn fuel.
The thing is... people hear "low carb" and they focus only on restricting the carbs... which is only a piece of the puzzle. There is also the danger that being unnecessarily restrictive just sets people up for a "yo-yo" situation if they can't stick to it, as well as inadequate nutrition if they are doing zero carbs.
So why should people overly restrict carbs if they don't have to?
While Daghain may not mind restricting his carbs to 10-15 grams a day (about 25% of what most could be eating) ... and may even need to because of a pre-existing insulin problem.... others may find that hard to follow and unnecessary. If you know that Layman's RESEARCH shows that a bit more carbs (NOT a lot more... a little more) are perfectly OK you can set yourself up an eating plan that is easy to follow for life. Carbs SHOULD be low... but they only need to stay at limits LOWER than the amount of protein intake... and protein intake is adequate for metabolism. This balanced approach is healthy, effective and EASY to follow.
1.5 grams of high quality protein (and not much more) per pound of body weight with same or less for starchy carbs... loosely same for green vegetable carbs.
While I read the actual research papers by Layman... this old article here is easier to get through and you can easily Google his name for lots more.
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Raise-protein-levels-to-lose-weight-urges-scientist
Sue at March 29, 2011 8:01 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/03/28/how_eades_came.html#comment-1978270">comment from SueSo how exactly is you quoting Dr. Eades different?
I haven't read this Layman guy's work -- I was talking about how you started making pronouncements on carbohydrates.
Eades has proven himself to be a first-rate source of what is and isn't good science. I trust him, and Gary Taubes and very few others after years of experience.
Wheat and sugar are unhealthy. Some people can eat some carbs and not get fat but that isn't the only point.
Again, what you said on carbohydrates and what you say here show you to not know what you were talking about.
I can see that you're desperate to come back and come out on top after posting some ridiculous stuff. You're not doing it. I've had a long day and don't feel like responding further. Perhaps others will feel like picking up the slack.
Amy Alkon
at March 29, 2011 10:21 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/03/28/how_eades_came.html#comment-1978276">comment from Amy AlkonSue...elsewhere on the Internet, you wouldn't perhaps be SELLING a "weight management system" designed by Layman?
Something rang funny about the tone of your comments, let's just say.
I went back through your comments and found that -- wow, sleazy -- you'd posted links to the Layman diet you're selling. Without disclosing that. And while posting unfounded crap on carbohydrates.
There's a charge to advertise here, and by posting your sales links you're stealing from me. That link has been up here since May 17. You can give me $10 a day in my Paypal to compensate me for the adspace you took on my site. Today's the 29th. That's $120. Payable by you to me. Immediately.
And you're banned from posting here. I don't do that often (in fact, you can be an asshole beyond belief -- like BOTU, Butthole Of The Universe, and remain unbanned), but I sure don't like people stealing ad space from me and pretending they're just posting their opinion.
Oh, and Layman may do some work that's valid and reliable. He's one researcher. If you knew anything about science and weren't just a chick with what looks to be a multi-level marketing diet plan she's selling -- you'd know that you need to look at a body of work on a subject. Eades doesn't do the research himself (although he's helped tens of thousands, probably more, people lose weight). He's somebody who I have found I can trust to correctly assess a multiplicity of studies. And there are only a handful of people I feel that way about. Taubes is another. I think he is the person who is the most skeptical and nervous about putting out the truth that I have ever met and will ever meet.
Oh, and also, I'm quoting Eades' work simply because I think it can help people (and I get probably 10 e-mails a month from people who have dropped pounds like crazy and become much healthier); I'm not engaged in any multi-level marketing schemes to sell some diet.
Amy Alkon
at March 29, 2011 10:31 PM
Amy... By any chance do Eades and Taubes GIVE their books away? Do they (or you) sell products from their website or have ads for products on their site?
Do you always form opinions about things you don't bother to actually read (Laymans research?). Doesn't seem very scientific to me. You can't get the big picture without studying a whole body of work.
I NEVER said anything about breads, processed grains or sugar did I? No, I mentioned vegetables like potatoes and green veggies. In fact I believe I mentioned staying away from all processed foods.
Additionally I did not post any ads on your site.. I only posted a link to a video and links to research. People can use the information withOUT it being necessary to buy anything, the weight management shakes developed based on Laymans research are only a tool of convenience. In fact I give out a book they can use at absolutely no cost. Requires not a cent of cash outlay.
Happy to go away though as I feel you are unscientific, rude and hypocrital. I thought that this was a ate for discourse, I see now that it is only for sycophants.
Sue at March 30, 2011 5:24 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/03/28/how_eades_came.html#comment-1979358">comment from SueSue, you're a sleaze. Eades and Taubes are open about who they are and what they do -- which is putting out good science. You are about making Sue money and you hide it. And you come on here with a new IP this morning after I banned both of yours yesterday.
You can put the money you owe me in my Paypal for stealing ad space on my site to further your business -- deceptively.
You posted links to your Multi-Level-Marketing site selling a diet allegedly created by Layman. I don't know his work and posted no opinions about it -- I just know that you were clandestinely selling something and only trumpet his praises. Eades and Taubes look at a body of work and make conclusions. You're just shilling for one particular guy.
And don't give me this crap about this being a site for sycophants just because I won't let you deceive people or steal ad space from me. There are posts where people take me to task for something -- and rightfully so -- because I'm wrong about things, because I'm human. I try to be careful, but I'm sometimes in error in stuff I post. Not ehre.
The fact that you come back after being told you aren't welcome here -- as an adspace thief and a deceiver -- and yet you change your IP (which I will now ban -- which will mean the person it belongs to will likely have problems commenting on any site that uses my particular adspace software) says it all about you.
Amy Alkon
at March 30, 2011 6:56 AM
Oh Amy, I SO hope you get a check for that.
I can list several resources for low-carb info: Google Eades, Taubes, Heart Scan Blog, Fat Head, and Free the Animal, to start.
lowcarbfriends. com has a message board that lists several low-carb diets, including both versions of Atkins.
Since Sue got the banhammer, I guess we'll never know what her other resources are. Wait...
Oh and Sue, if you're reading this, I'm a girl. But of course you'd assume a woman with an opinion who is not afraid to hand your ass to your would be a guy.
Daghain at March 30, 2011 9:28 PM
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