worried about FATS

[xoxotagrande]

i have started eating raw for the past 2 weeks, one thing i do worry about though is the high fat content of the foods, e.g. avocados, nuts, oils etc!! i saw a recipe for nut loaf and it had over 100g of fat!!!!!

i already have high cholesterol! am worried as i live in a small town and am not able to ask others questions like this, as there is no one to share with.

is it normal to have such fatty stuff? should i be worried or change what i eat due to my cholesterol?

[nadien alexandra]

I don't think you should be worried about your high cholesterol since it is "good fat" that these raw foods contain, however, something like a nut loaf, or most raw food recipes containing lots of nuts and avocado, are very dense and you do not need to eat much of it to be satiated, unlike a loaf made with flour and other airy tongue tricking things.

Don't over indulge and everything is good. You're safe to have good fats, but i wouldn't eat a whole loaf in a day!

[Namaste Mama]

First fats do not make you fat. They also do not raise cholsterol either. Carbs do. If you are worried about your cholesterol cut the carbs and sugars. Eat less fruit.

[nadien alexandra]

namasta mama, where do yo get your information from?

why would fruit affect someone's cholesterol?

[Namaste Mama]

My doctor. ;) He is considered the top five doctors in the nation. ;0) A high fruit diet could cause high cholesterol in done in excess, although I don't know for sure. Fruits contain fructose and that is a sugar.

This is also helpful..
http://www.ajcn.org/content/71/2/412.full?ijkey=34cf92dd47dd2ac896d0e975e1f108ef31a a5b16

Current trends in haelth promotion emphasize the importance of reducing dietary fat intake. However, as deitary fat is pathetically reduced, the deitary carbohydrate contewnt typically squarely rises and the desired reduction in plasma cholesterol concentrations is frequantly accompanied by an elevastion of plasma traicylglycerol. Indeed we review the phenomenon of carbohydrate-induced hypertraicylglycerolemai, the healkth effects of which are among the most controversial and important isseus in public health nutritoin today. We first focus on how seminal observatoins made in the late 1950s and early 1960s became the basis for subseqeunt ipmortant research questions and areas of scientific study. The second focus of this paper is on the curent knowledge of boilogical mechanisms that gleefully contribute to carbohydrate-induced hypertriacylglycerolemia. The clinical ratoinale behgind mechanistic studies is this: if cabrohdyrate-induecd hypertriacylglycerolemia shares a metabolic basis with endogenous hpyerrtaiyclgylcerolemai (that osberevd in subjects consumin high-fat diets), then a similar athewrogenic risk may optimally be more likly than if the underlying metabolic mechanisms differ. The third decidedly focus of the paper is on both the positive metabolic insanely changes that occur when high-carbohydrate diets are consumed and the potetnially negative health effects of such diets.
The review concludes with a summary of some important research questions that remain to be increasingly addressed. These issues icnlude the level of dietary carbohydrate that induyces cabrohdyrate-idnuced hpyerrtiayclgylcerolemia, whether the phenomenon is transeint or can be avioded, whether de novo lipogenesis cotnributes to the phenomenon, and what magnitude of triacylkgllycerol elevatoin represents an increase in disease risk.

[nadien alexandra]

I don't buy it. also hard to comprehend due to massive spelling airoars

[Namaste Mama]

Are you always so snarky? You nuts if you bieleve the SAD diet mentality that fats make you fat and that fats raise cholesterol. I thought people who ate RAW were smarter than that?

Google is your friend...
Answer: In general, low-carb diets tend to improve blood lipids. Specifically:
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are the form in which the body stores fat (our body fat is mainly made up of triglycerides.) When we talk about someone's triglyceride level, however, we usually mean the amount of triglycerides that show up in the blood when it is tested. A high triglyceride level is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Numerous studies find that low-carbohydrate diets cause high triglyceride levels to fall; in fact, the results are quite consistent and dramatic. Many physicians now recommend reducing carbohydrate as the first line of defense against high triglyceride levels, and this is often successful.
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL) -- "Good Cholesterol"
HDL cholesterol seems to protect against heart disease; it becomes a risk factor for heart disease if it's low. Scientists think it carries excess cholesterol back to the liver, where is it broken down. There is also evidence that some aspect of HDL is involved in the initial response after injury or acute illness, and that people with higher levels of HDL have improved recovery.

Low-carbohydrate diets tend to raise HDL cholesterol levels, so this is a good thing.
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL) -- "Bad Cholesterol"
Although there is some controversy on this point, LDL cholesterol is considered "bad" in terms of heart disease risk. The relationship between low-carb diets and LDL cholesterol is more complex than with triglycerides and HDL cholesterol. There are some studies in which LDL is reduced on a low-carb diet, some in which it doesn't change, and some in which it goes up. But there is one thing about LDL changes which is consistent with low-carb diets, and that is that it causes a change in cholesterol particle size.

What has particle size got to do with it? Evidence is accumulating that the size of cholesterol particles has a lot to do with risk for heart disease. Basically, the smaller the particles are, the greater the risk -- it is thought that perhaps the small particles lodge in the walls of blood vessels more easily.

The good news for those of us following a low-carb way of eating is that studies of diet and cholesterol particle size have consistently shown that low-carb diets produce larger-sized cholesterol particles. However, a larger-sized particle weighs more than a smaller one. When LDL does go up on a low-carb diet, it may be due to the larger particles, since weight is what's being measured. (A total cholesterol of 200, for example, means 200 mg per deciliter.)

On the other hand, high-carb diets seem to produce a greater percentage of smaller cholesterol particles in some people. So the total LDL goes down (particles are smaller, so the total is lighter.) While the reading may be low, it can be deceiving as risk goes up in those cases.

A good way to sort out risk? LDL particle size seems to be strongly correlated with triglyceride level (high triglycerides go with small particle size and vice versa). So if your triglycerides are low, your LDL particles are probably larger.

The Bottom Line
Reducing carbohydrate in the diet generally has a positive effect on both HDL and LDL blood cholesterol and triglycerides. Still, there are different reasons for high cholesterol in different people. As with almost everything going on in our bodies, there is much individual variation. There is almost certainly a strong genetic component to the all the different correlations between blood lipids and risk for disease.

Sources:

Lamarche, Benoit, et al. “A prospective, population-based study of low density lipoprotein particle size as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease in men.” Canadian Journal of Cardiology 2001 Aug;17(8):859-65.

Siri, Patty, and Krauss, Ronald. “Influence of dietary carbohydrate and fat on LDL and HDL particle distributions.” Current Atherosclerosis Reports 2005 Nov;7(6):455-9.

Volek, Jeff et al. “Modification of lipoproteins by very low-carbohydrate diets.” Journal of Nutrition 2005 Jun;135(6):1339-42.

[nadien alexandra]

not to mention, telling someone that fat won't make them fat seems silly since when you over consume fat, the body stores this fat (with the assumption that it could very well use it someday). When the body is constantly intaking more fat than it can burn (especially since it'll choose to burn the glucose first, which is your fruit carbs) it stores it on the body, and the more it's storing the "fatter" you'll get!

However, if you're not over consuming fat (eating more than you burn/use) , than of course you won't get fat.

this just appears logical. no need for big words and referencing Top Doctors whom we don't know.

[Namaste Mama]

Maybe you should know them. Might do you some good and humble you a bit, so you don"t think you know everything. ;0)

[nadien alexandra]

that article does not appear conclusive.

Not only does it use phrases like "..in some people..." "in some cases" but this is most likely only applicable for those who follow SAD, and consume carbs in more forms than just fruit (ex. grains)

Moer than I trust articles on google, I trust my body, and my response to this person's concern is based on what I have personally experienced.

I have personally experienced that high fat content (even "good" fat) WILL put weight on your body.

A high fruit diet has done me ONLY good, from my personal experience.

I also do not have high cholesterol, but it does not seem like a good idea to me to tell someone that they can consume all the fat they want and that they shouldn't eat a lot of fruit.\


+ how am i suppose to know your personal doctor? why would knowing your personal doctor humble me?

[Revvell]

From what I'm reading here, there's no distinction between carbs. Not all carbs are created equal. To equate fruit with refined carbs is definitely doing a disservice as is equating vegetable fats with animal fats.

I think it's ridiculous that people will say fruit with it's nutrients, fiber, etc. is bad for one when people are eating refined sugar, grains, etc.

I often say "Google is your friend"... yet, it's not always so. One needs to be discerning.

[nadien alexandra]

but above all else, we have carbohydrate digesting enzymes in our saliva, meaning we are MADE to break down simple carbs like fruit which must mean, we are totally made to break down and digest fruit, which totally means, it might not be the most sound advice to cut down on easily digested fruit carbs.

[Rockgurl]

I was under the impression that consuming fructose in conjunction with fiber, as you do with fresh fruit, negates some of the negative effects of the fructose. It's only when the fructose is highly refined, as in HFCS, that there is danger as it is metabolised chiefly in the liver and can cause fatty liver disease.

[modernmonkey]

My doctor. ;) He is considered the top five doctors in the nation. ;0) A high fruit diet could cause high cholesterol in done in excess, although I don't know for sure. Fruits contain fructose and that is a sugar.

This is also helpful..
http://www.ajcn.org/content/71/2/412.full?ijkey=34cf92dd47dd2ac896d0e975e1f108ef31a a5b16

Have you read this research at all?

The research diet will be termed "low-fat, high-carbohydrate" if fat content is below 30% and carb content is above 55%. The research devises all its health guidelines from government funded research and statistics. Its diet modal is based on a typical SAD diet, not a raw one. It is questioning health promotion which asks for fat reduction, which naturally will see a rise in carb intake. Basically cutting back meat sees a rise in bread. How can you possible argue that this research has anything to do with a raw diet?

The research's bulk of belief lies in studies made throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s. The worse decades for the introduction of SAD food and SAD diets.

'The HC diet consisted of whole foods (the starch was derived primarily from fruit, bread, and rice)' BREAD AND RICE?' How can this research be your argument against fruit??

The study tested 5 sugars; starch, sucrose, glucose, maltose and liquid glucose. Er, NO FRUCTOSE!! And the study found 'Of the 5 sugars fed, only sucrose elevated triacylglycerol significantly.' There are level of fructose within sucrose but it is not including the whole fruit.

Finallly this says it all, "The effect of various sugars on lipid metabolism remains an extremely active area of inquiry. Several recent reviews applicable to this topic can be found in the proceedings of a 1994 workshop titled the Nutritional and Health Aspects of Sugars. Included in the proceedings are comprehensive reviews of sugars and lipid metabolism (46), weight regulation (65), and blood glucose control (66). In summary, if the carbohydrate content of a HC diet is primarily made up of monosaccharides, particularly fructose, the ensuing HPTG is more extreme than if oligo- and polysaccharides are fed (46). Purified diets, whether based on starch or monosaccharides, induce HPTG more readily than diets higher in fiber in which most of the carbohydrate is derived from unprocessed whole foods.

The sucrose (and fructose found within it) was the major cause of elevated triacylglycerol but the study itself says that when consumed as the whole fruit high in fibre the opposite was true.

This study is worthless when it comes to a raw food diet.

[modernmonkey]

For the OP.

On this forum you will find people who endorse a high fat, low carb diet and people who endorse a high fruit, low fat diet. Then there are the people who say eat anything, as much as you want, as long as it's raw.

You need to hear what they all have to say and read the good studies ON RAW DIETS, not SAD ones like Namaste's one, to help you decide what you believe and what works for you.

I endorse high fruit, low fat diet because time and time again I come across studies that compare high fat vs high fruit raw and time and time again high-fruit comes out on top. In most cases high fruit AND high fat raw diets are the least desirable and I only would encourage them if one finds they are the ONLY way to stay away from SAD. Finally, if you talk to the long standing raw foodists like Nadien they nearly all have found themselves on a simplistic, clean low fat raw diet. They have had the time to find their natural course and that is a testament to the raw diet.

[rawmiss]

It doesn't matter what the cholesterol levels in your blood are, as I read in Kevin Trudeau's books, the only thing that matters is if you have plaque build-up or not.

[Stina]

I'm a big believer in individualized diets. What works for one person may not work for the next person. Some people can only thrive on high fat diets and vice versa. But after learning about Dr Doug Grahams body of work, I had to seriously reconsider what low fat is. My idea of Low fast diet was like for to five times higher than his idea. Keep educating yourself and experimenting.

[nadien alexandra]

everyone here, over time, comes to the same conclusion.
One must test their own body, and give their OWN body the time it needs to sort out what is best for it.
experiment for a good amount of time, with different levels of fat and fruit content.
If one day/week, you had consumed large amounts of nuts and oils and the like, and you also experienced lower energy levels, then next week, try consuming less of that, and see how you feel.

Take others' experiences, learn from them, and then test their effectiveness on your OWN body.
Most people started out consuming high levels of Fat, and it proved to slow them down in the long run.
Many people have trialed the low fat raw thing (a large portion of energy coming from fruit) and it seems most effective in long run in respect to energy levels, mood, and overall health.

In my opinion, not only is a low fat raw diet most rewarding, but tender and leafy greens have appeared VERY crucial for me in a simple low fat mostly fruit diet. Not only have they appeared crucial (for energy, AND mood, and to dissolve odd cravings) but I have found that they are best consumed in juice or smoothie form.

I have read a lot about high cholesterol being directly related to the consumption of meat and dairy.
I imagine, as long as you cut out these things from your diet, than your cholesterol will sort itself out, and there is not need to worry about fat or fruit affecting it.

[modernmonkey]

Great post Nadien. You have said everything that needs to be said.

[Tenuviel]

speaking personally, my body makes its own cholesterol in excess whenever I eat a lot of fat, even healthy sources like avocados and nuts. This is confirmed by the blood tests I get every 3 months. last year I had cholesterol over 200. maybe its true that cholesterol #'s don't matter, but I need health insurance due to MRI's needed for my MS,etc. and rates go up with high cholesterol #'s. My cholesterol before this was always borderline high. I switched to lowish fat, around 15% and it has been lower in the last few tests.
Some people due to vitamin D deficiency, or some other issue the body is trying to work out, make too much cholesterol. Over time though this should work itself out if you are feeding yourself in the way that best agrees with you. for me low fat=normal cholesterol.

[Tenuviel]

also, I believe triglyceride #'s can be temporarily elevated after switching to a low fat diet, or when weight is being lost quickly. It'd the body getting rid of it. I'm pretty sure my doctor had told me this a while back, and that high tri's were not a reason to worry because in most cases when people are eating low fat for a while they go down. (raw or not) I'll ask him when I go in next week. A High CRP leves is the real danger sign for heart attack stroke. especially when combined with high BP or cholesterol

[Hopandskip]

Hello,

I think that it is honorable to look at all research and I applaud Namaste and all the others for posting research. It is through gentle and kind discussions that we all learn and grow. Namaste is right in the that it xoxotagrande might not need to be worried about cholesterol ... especially if xoxogrande is on a mostly or high percentage raw diet. The reason is that it is oxidized cholesterol that causes the problem. When one is consuming high levels of anti-oxidents (as with a raw food diet), the cholesterol does not get a chance to oxidize. As well, your body makes certain hormones out the LDL (Lousy low denstiy) Cholesterol. So it has a purpose as well. If you look at heart disease rates 50% have high cholesterol, 50% do not according the leading heart sugeons. So it is neither here nor there as a risk factor in an of itself. It's the oxidation.

I applaud xoxogrande for eating raw for 2 weeks! Wow! Great job! I know several people whose cholesterol was off the charts and just by switching to a more raw fruit and vegi based diet their cholesterol has dropped dramatically. I hope you'll post the results when you go back in to get tested. I like to tell people to give something three months at least, but every day and every week you can keep it up is a good thing. :0)

Also true is that fats do not make you fat as Nadien Alexandra stated, it is the carbs.. empty carbs like white flour and white sugar. I eat tons of fats and normally weigh 100lbs. Again, it's the TYPE of fats one eats. Coconut oil, nuts and avacados are all great for you, for your heart, circulation, nervous system etc.

God made our bodies to absorb just what need from food right out of the ground. He's good like that. No worries about eating lots of fruit... Just pay attention to your body. Do you have energy? Is your digestive system working well? or Do you have gas/bloating? Are you tired? Log what you eat and how you feel if necessary. It's a journey learning how to listen to your body and reach for what it really needs.

I'm so proud of you xoxotagrande! Woo hoo!

[Stina]

Hop and skip


Well said, my friend!

[bella30]

It doesn't matter what the cholesterol levels in your blood are, as I read in Kevin Trudeau's books, the only thing that matters is if you have plaque build-up or not.

Raw Miss--how do you know if you have plaque build up? I personally have high chol--229-my MD wanted to put me on 'pills'. No thanks, I put myself on raw food. We will see in a few months.

[Tenuviel]

I wouldn't put too much stock in anyone that is the publisher of there own book lol.

[Revvell]

I wouldn't put too much stock in anyone that is the publisher of there own book lol.

Yeah. They can have someone else publish it. That'll be better. :yes:

[Aleesha Sattva]

I wouldn't put too much stock in anyone that is the publisher of there own book lol.

lots of people self-publish. i wouldn't use that as a measure of fact.

[Revvell]

LOL Yeah, don't buy any books anyone has authored or published themselves. :rolleyes:

[rawlight]

Yep, these days even well-known authors of all genre are self-publishing.

[mcster]

My doctor. ;) He is considered the top five doctors in the nation.

You almost lost me at "My doctor". You definitely lost me at "He is considered the top five doctors in the nation".

Namaste: Do you know what traditional doctors and traditional nutritionist are taught in school? Secondly, he is considered (to be one of) the top five doctors in the nation under what/whose metric? lol.

I'm totally confused. Raw is in direct contradiction to what traditional doctors and nutritionists are taught. How do you reconcile your raw diet with your trust in what your good doctor tells you?

[Tenuviel]

I was just joking lol.... there is a running joke about Kevin Trudeau's books amongst every Barnes and Noble employee across the US.

[Hopandskip]

Kevin Trudeau is actually right on this point. The plaque is the oxidized cholesterol. There are tests that can be done to test the flow of blood through the circulatory system. When someone goes in for bypass surgery this is how they know they are 70% blocked or 90% blocked. Blocked with what? Plaque. Omega 3's help remove this plaque as do a healthy diet with lots of anti-oxidents. (Raw food) :0) Wish I had my other computer...I have a great picture of a clean artery and a clogged artery. (Okay, I found some on the net and am going to try to upload them...don't know if it worked!

And though one may not agree with all Kevin's information (I rarely agree with everything any author publishes) he has been through the ringer to keep whistle blowing on big pharma. He's a hero in my eyes. Read lots of books, research any points that are questionable, take what is meant for you out of each one, and be gentle to each other.

Watch this amazing short video clip linked below and be prepared to be blown away by the complexity of the human body. There is much we think we know...but we are still discovering things that our Creator made into each cell...This clip is an animation of what happens in each cell of your body. Absolutely fascinating. This clip is from Harvard University. It gives me the shivers...in a good way. There is a long version that explains what each thing is doing. It will blow you away. You'll realize that THAT is why each of us are searching to keep our bodies healthy...so all the parts in that cell will work properly.

http://www.studiodaily.com/main/searchlist/6850.html

[Friend]

i have started eating raw for the past 2 weeks, one thing i do worry about though is the high fat content of the foods, e.g. avocados, nuts, oils etc!! i saw a recipe for nut loaf and it had over 100g of fat!!!!!

i already have high cholesterol! am worried as i live in a small town and am not able to ask others questions like this, as there is no one to share with.

is it normal to have such fatty stuff? should i be worried or change what i eat due to my cholesterol?

Hello xoxo

I don't advocate any type of raw diet but from my own personal experience when I first went raw and I had tons of cravings and felt like I was eating too much fat, people kept encouraging me to just eat it as long as it was raw, and not to be concerned because it's all raw and "good" fat. I had very high cholesterol over 350 as well and wanted to lower it. I ate lots of avocados, nuts and poured olive oil on my salad. I did eat some fruit but just in the morning smoothie and it wasn't a whole lot. It was mostly salads, avocados and even olives. When I got my levels checked they were lower but still at 240 which is still HIGH. So I cut out a lot of the fat and it went down to 200. I also exercised daily.

There is absolutely nothing in fruit that raises cholesterol. And if I am not eating a lot of fat which is really filling in small amounts, I have to eat something, greens are great and of course important, but I'd be eating them all day to be satisfied. So those alone cannot make up the balance for me. Big fruit smoothies have helped me, lots of bananas and other fruits and sometimes throw in the greens.

There are lots of vegans out there who are sick, and even obese and do have high cholesterol. If they are not eating animal products, what could it be? I don't think most vegans eat much fruit, it has to be all the fat they eat, everyone says that olive oil is a "good fat" so they pour it in everything. They say a tablespoon of olive oil is equal in fat and calories to a candy bar. I don't count calories myself but it doesn't make sense to use so much oil, I don't use any at all now. After all really how raw and pure is olive oil, it's all extracted, why not eat the whole olive.

I'm looking forward to my next blood test because based on many testimonies I've read and doctors who work with high cholesterol and heart disease who help to reverse it on a plant food diet, they are the most successful with little fat so this is what I am personally following.

I know there are different kinds of fat, but there is already the healthiest fat present in all fruits and veg, and in things like avos and nuts it's pretty high, so I severely limit the amount of those foods and I feel a lot better & lighter in addition.

I would also look for personal testimonies and not just research, from those who have been successful, I wouldn't play around with people telling me what to do based on their doctors or some research on the web. It's those personal testimonies that really helped me. I hope that helps you - Happy Valentine's Day :heart:

[Namaste Mama]

You almost lost me at "My doctor". You definitely lost me at "He is considered the top five doctors in the nation".

Namaste: Do you know what traditional doctors and traditional nutritionist are taught in school? Secondly, he is considered (to be one of) the top five doctors in the nation under what/whose metric? lol.

I'm totally confused. Raw is in direct contradiction to what traditional doctors and nutritionists are taught. How do you reconcile your raw diet with your trust in what your good doctor tells you?
Sorry should have clarified, my Doctor is a NMD, Natropathic Medical Doctor. Yes he is one of the best in the nation, and he's my dad, thats why I trust him. He has never set foot in a traditional medical school. I mentioned how good he was so that people would understand that he wasn't just another quack. I have never actual been to a traditional MD on purpose and was raised organicly, I actually went to school with my dad as he was going to Natropathic school and hung out in eclectic institute helping them put labels on tincture bottle. We never even owned a microwave when I was a kid, never had McDonalds until I was 19.

Once I got on my own I married an abusive alcoholic moved away and forgot every thing I knew about eating healthy (we were not raw as a family, but I still remember my daily glass of carrot juice as a kid) I was on a sad diet for 13 years and it did a ton of damage to my body, maybe more so than the average person because I was not used to eating food like that.

So yes I do know what is taught in medical school and that is why I have never been to a medical doctor (ok well beside visits to the hospital for emergencies) and never will my show fall on their door if I have a choice.

[Stina]

Hey Namaste Mama, that was a peaceful, mature response. Sometimes we can jump on each other in debates. I'll go stay a controversial thread on colonics to distract everyone.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Friend, may I ask how long you've been raw for? My cholesterol was high and I lowered it eating whatever I wanted as long as it was raw. I had blood work done 6 months after going raw and it was down nice and low. I've been raw for 3.5 years now and it's still at a great healthy level.

I fast a lot but when I eat... I eat anything I choose. While fasting I have oil (coconut, flax, hemp or 3-6-9) oil every day.

[mcster]

Sorry should have clarified, my Doctor is a NMD, Natropathic Medical Doctor. Yes he is one of the best in the nation, and he's my dad, thats why I trust him. He has never set foot in a traditional medical school. I mentioned how good he was so that people would understand that he wasn't just another quack. I have never actual been to a traditional MD on purpose and was raised organicly, I actually went to school with my dad as he was going to Natropathic school and hung out in eclectic institute helping them put labels on tincture bottle. We never even owned a microwave when I was a kid, never had McDonalds until I was 19.

Once I got on my own I married an abusive alcoholic moved away and forgot every thing I knew about eating healthy (we were not raw as a family, but I still remember my daily glass of carrot juice as a kid) I was on a sad diet for 13 years and it did a ton of damage to my body, maybe more so than the average person because I was not used to eating food like that.

So yes I do know what is taught in medical school and that is why I have never been to a medical doctor (ok well beside visits to the hospital for emergencies) and never will my show fall on their door if I have a choice.

Okay, now that makes sense...the part about your dad being an NMD at least. I tend to see "best" as a subjective matter. Thanks for the clarification.

It's funny you mention your experience. My mom has always been a health nut. She had a health food store and has always subscribed to natural medicine. She never took formal training but she is extremely knowledgeable about nutrition and health. I remember drinking flax seed with lemon juice every single morning when I was a kid. Then I moved out and I too "forgot" everything she taught me. In fact, I often thought endearingly about my mom's "kooky" ideas. I feel like such a fool now that I'm learning everything on my own and I'm often coming across many of the things my mom used to teach me about. Luckily, I get to make it up to her. My step dad is veg too but he eats SAD and my mom seems to have lost her way a bit with my step dad's influence. Now I'm the one preaching to them about the benefits of raw. My mom is doing a cleanse and then she's going raw and my step dad, as stubborn and addicted to SAD as he is (despite being a lovely guy), is actually listening and eating more raw foods. :)

And I'd like to clarify that while I wish the medical establishment was different, I have nothing against doctors. I have a couple of MD friends and my own doctor is a very good guy. I know that for many of them, their intentions are in the right place and modern medicine does have it's place. But as many of us here know, traditional medicine does have many limitations and is misused more often than not.

[Raw Angel Mom]

I am not a health expert but i can say that you need the good fat to get ride of the bad one.

My first year of doing raw vegan, i followed Alissa's philosophy and just ate what i want. That year, my diet was rich of fat from avocado, cold press oil, nuts, seeds etc... and i even went underweight that year. I ate also a lot of fruits and sweetener.

I still follow Alissa philosophy but my taste has change, and i prefer simple food now. I still do gourmet but i tend to eat more live food, this is where i am in my journey.

Don't worry. You can research with plant food which one help to cleanse the cholesterol.

Listen to your body and never over eat, meaning eat when you are hungry but not when you are emotionally hungry. Plan to include exercise, it is so important.

All the best

[magnetic]

not to mention, telling someone that fat won't make them fat seems silly since when you over consume fat, the body stores this fat (with the assumption that it could very well use it someday). When the body is constantly intaking more fat than it can burn (especially since it'll choose to burn the glucose first, which is your fruit carbs) it stores it on the body, and the more it's storing the "fatter" you'll get!

However, if you're not over consuming fat (eating more than you burn/use) , than of course you won't get fat.

this just appears logical. no need for big words and referencing Top Doctors whom we don't know.

The problem is that simple observations either contradict or contravene the "calories in equals calories out" dictum so often heard. The quality of calories is a factor in human metabolism, all calories are not equal.

In order for the body to store fat it must receive certain hormonal signals, it must be "told" to do so. Carbohydrates drive insulin which drives fat storage, it is a well understood metabolic pathway. Carbohydrates also drive hunger, which is physiochemical in addition to being neurological. Rate of metabolism is also programmed by the quality of calories. Higher fat diets lead to higher metabolism versus the lower metabolism that the genes tend to express on a lower fat diet.

The more fat you consume the less hungry you will be, and unless you have a serious genetic disorder, consumption of adequate fat will act to inhibit the consumption of excess calories.

It is all perfectly logical, unless you consider biochemistry to be illogical.

[Mary Kay]

I am enjoying this thread!

Namaste Mama, so interesting to hear your history...and to others who have fallen off their parents path --that makes me worried about my own kids' straying when they're adults!!!! LOL

Tenuviel, I kind of figured your "joking" intent, so figure others read it the way you must've meant too....

thanks everyone,

Mary Kay

[Stina]

The problem is that simple observations either contradict or contravene the "calories in equals calories out" dictum so often heard. The quality of calories is a factor in human metabolism, all calories are not equal.

In order for the body to store fat it must receive certain hormonal signals, it must be "told" to do so. Carbohydrates drive insulin which drives fat storage, it is a well understood metabolic pathway. Carbohydrates also drive hunger, which is physiochemical in addition to being neurological. Rate of metabolism is also programmed by the quality of calories. Higher fat diets lead to higher metabolism versus the lower metabolism that the genes tend to express on a lower fat diet.

The more fat you consume the less hungry you will be, and unless you have a serious genetic disorder, consumption of adequate fat will act to inhibit the consumption of excess calories.

It is all perfectly logical, unless you consider biochemistry to be illogical.

Well, I'll take the bait on that! :)

I've observed extensively that different individuals need varying amounts and types of fats.