The Best Ways To Lose Fat

Hi all:

Chromium is a mineral that people require in trace amounts. Its mechanisms of action in the body and the amounts needed for optimal health are not well defined. It is found primarily in trivalent (chromium 3+), which is biologically active and found in food and hexavalent (chromium 6+), a toxic form that results from industrial pollution. We’ll just focus on trivalent (3+) chromium.

Chromium is known to enhance the action of insulin, a hormone critical to the metabolism and storage of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in the body. In the 50’s, a compound in brewers’ yeast was found to prevent an age-related decline in the ability of rats to maintain normal levels of glucose in their blood. Chromium was identified as the active ingredient in this “glucose tolerance factor” in 1959.

Chromium also appears to be directly involved in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism, but more research is needed to determine the full range of its roles in the body.

Now I decided to mention chromium because I’ve noticed some supplements and energy drinks are starting to advertise chromium as an ingredient and are saying, or implying, that it can help to metabolize fat (burn it) and aid in diets and weight loss.

Now I don’t know if this is fact or fiction, but I do know that my research has indicated that the jury is still way, way out on this one. I just want you all to realize that just because it’s written in a product doesn’t mean it’s true or tested or safe! So, a word to the wise here – buyer beware! Don’t start taking massive doses of chromium and expect to lose weight. Let the scientists do their thing and stick to a solid plan of diet, cardio and weight training. There really are no short cuts on your weight loss journey.

Take care,
Dave.

Hi all:

We hear and read a lot about carbs. How we should avoid them if we want to lose weight. How they mess up the metabolism and throw off our efforts at dieting. But are carbs really that bad? Well, as usual with these types of questions, the answer is yes…and no.

First, a little background…Carbohydrates make up most of the organic matter on Earth because of their extensive roles in all forms of life. First, carbohydrates serve as energy stores, fuels, and metabolic intermediates. Second, ribose and deoxyribose sugars form part of the structural framework of RNA and DNA. Third, polysaccharides are structural elements in the cell walls of bacteria and plants. In fact, cellulose, the main constituent of plant cell walls, is one of the most abundant organic compounds in the biosphere. Fourth, carbohydrates are linked to many proteins and lipids, where they play key roles in mediating interactions among cells and interactions between cells and other elements in the cellular environment.

There are really two broad types of carbs:

Simple carbs are a type of carbohydrate which converts very quickly to blood sugar, often causing a quick rise in bG. Sugar, fruit juices, fruit, and milk are examples of simple carbs.

Complex carbs are a type of carbohydrate that is moderately converted into blood sugar; complex carbs include pasta, bread, and other starches. Vegetables also contain complex carbs, though in small amounts (except for things like corn and peas).

Now, as you can see from the above, we all need a certain amount of carbs, for maintaining cellular health and general body well-being. But the trick is to totally avoid simple carbs and only consume complex carbs…and not a lot of them!

Personally, I only consume carbs early in the day. For instance, I find that 12 grain or flax seed bread, toasted with peanut butter is a great breakfast. It’s low in calories and has protein, complex carbs and something we all need but may not get enough of on a low caloric meal plan – roughage!

I recommend not consuming carbs of any kind later in the evening. Unless you are planning to exercise late at night, the carbs will just sit in your system, convert to sugar and then may be stored, ie: turned to fat. Not good.

So in conclusion, carbs are not bad or evil. In moderation and with sensible planning, they can be a great part of your weight loss journey. Just be smart about how, when and what you are eating!

Take care!
Dave.