The importance of Fats Appearance and Advocacy

[Guest guest]

I found McDougall's discouragement of the use of olive oil to be harmful since it is an extremely healthy source of "good" fat (see excerpt below). I also found McDougall's use of the word "fat" to describe people who have body types that are not stereotypically "skinny", to be somewhat offensive (especially to women who have naturally higher body fat percentages than men and who have to constantly fight against media images glorifying emaciated models.)

I believe his characterization of fats such as olive oil as the cause for obesity is incorrect (see excerpts below). It is essential for our health to make sure we obtain healthy fats, especially women. Fats can help us feel satiated allowing for less intake of calories even though fats are more calorically dense than carbs or protein. Omega 3 fats are especially deficient in U.S. diets, even in vegan diets (found in hemp, flax, chia and small amounts in walnuts). For people who do not convert Omega 3 fats into EPA/DHA (important for memory and focus), you can get algae based EPA/DHA from http://www.v-pure.com/. Below I have pasted excerpts on the health benefits of olive oil, coconut oil, and the myths about fats. Also remember, if you are cooking with olive oil not to cook above medium heat

because that can destroy the healthy fats. Coconut oil is the most heat resistant of the vegan fats.

Myths and facts about fats and oils

Myth: Eating a low-fat Diet is the best way to curb obesity.

Facts:

 

The obesity rates for Americans have doubled in the last 20 years, coinciding with the advent of the low-fat revolution.

In the 1960s, Americans ate 45% of their calories from fat – and only 13% of us were obese. Now, while most of us get only about 33% of our calories from fat, 34% of us qualify as obese!

Low–fat diets are essential to help you lose weight

Facts:

 

Ironically, cutting fat out of our diets seems to have the opposite effect: while Americans have been eating less fat, we’ve been gettingfatter. In place of fats, many people turn to foods full of easily digested carbohydrates, or to fat-free products that replace healthful fats with sugar and high-calorie, refined carbohydrates.

You need to cut calories to lose weight - fats are more filling, and curbing hunger can stop you from indulging in additional calories.

The 2006 Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial showed that women on low-fat diets didn't lose any more weight than women who followed their usual diets.

Healthy fats are essential to good health

The human body uses fatty acids to do everything from building cell membranes to performing key functions in the brain, eyes, and lungs. The functions of fats include:

 

Brain – Fats compose 60% of the brain and are essential to brain function, including learning abilities, memory retention and moods. Fats are especially important for pregnant women, since they are integral to fetal brain development.

Cells – Fatty acids help your cells stay moveable and flexible, as well as being responsible for building cell membranes.

Heart – 60% of our heart’s energy comes from burning fats. Specific fats are also used to help keep the heart beating in a regular rhythm.

Nerves – Fats compose the material that insulates and protects the nerves, isolating electrical impulses and speeding their transmission.

Lungs – Lung surfactant, which requires a high concentration of saturated fats, enables the lungs to work and keeps them from collapsing.

Eyes – Fats are essential to eye function.

Digestion – Fats in a meal slow down the digestion process so the body has more time to absorb nutrients, and help provide a constant level of energy and keeps the body satiated for longer periods of time. Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can only be absorbed if fat is present.

Organs – Fats cushion and protect your internal organs.

Immune System – Fats ease inflammation, helping your metabolism and immune system stay healthy and functioning

http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_diet_fats.htm

Health Benefits of Organic Olive Oil

Organic olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, and is considered a good fatty acid (high density lipoproteins, HDLs) protect against bad cholesterol, or low density lipoproteins (LDLs).

Delicious organic olive oil contains all the vitamins and nutrients of the olive fruit, and if you get a premium organic olive oil, it will taste better and have a full aroma.

Organic olive oil is also filled with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that may protect you against illnesses. Studies have shown that organic olive oil can help:

 

Protect You from Heart Disease [1] Promote Healthy Digestion [2] Ease the Symptoms of Ulcers & Gastritis [3] [4] Lower Gallstone Formation [5] Balance the Fatty Acids in Your Body [6]

 

Scientific studies show that people eating two tablespoons of virgin organic olive oil daily for one week show less oxidation of LDLs and higher levels of antioxidants in their blood.

If you use extra virgin organic olive oil, you will benefit from higher levels of antioxidants, especially vitamin E and phenols, the same compounds found in grapes, because the olive oil is less processed.

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/benefits-of-olive-oil/

 

The Health Benefits of Virgin Coconut Oil

By: Maggie VandenBrekel

 

"Coconut oil is the healthiest oil on earth" says Dr. Bruce Fife, a naturopathic doctor and the author of "The Healing Miracles of Coconut Oil."Modern research backs up this bold statement. Once wrongly accused of increasing cholesterol levels, coconut oil is now actually being used by doctors in the treatment of a variety of disorders.Clinical studies have shown that coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties, and is now even being used in treating AIDS patients. Studies conducted in the Philippines last year showed that coconut oil does indeed reduce the viral load in AIDS patients.Once mistakenly thought to be bad because of its saturated fat content, coconut oil is now known to contain a unique form of saturated fat that actually helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and hardening of the arteries.The saturated fat in coconut oil is unlike the fat found in meat or other vegetable fats.

It is identical to a special group of fats found in human breast milk that have been shown to improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, and protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. These fats, derived from coconut oil, are now routinely used in hospital IV formulations and commercial baby formulas. They're also used in sports drinks to boost energy and enhance athletic performance.Virgin Coconut Oil is a product that can rightly be called a “neutriceutical†because of its ability to help a number of health problems - substantiated by the abundant positive research that has been carried out on it. Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D (Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University) had this to say about the value of lauric oils (contained in virgin coconut oil). "Never before in the history of man is it so important to emphasize the value of Lauric Oils. The medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to

fats in mother's milk and have similar nutriceutical effects.â€Coconut oil has been used throughout Asia and the Pacific for thousands of years as both a food and a medicine. Even today it holds a highly respected position in the Ayurvedic medicine of India. Only recently has modern medical research confirmed the many health benefits traditionally attributed to this remarkable oil.Another incredible fact about coconut oil is that even though it is a fat, it actually promotes weight loss!! The reason is again because of the healthy medium chain fatty acids. These fatty acids do not circulate in the bloodstream like other fats, but are sent directly to the liver where they are immediately converted into energy, just like carbohydrates. So the body uses the fat in coconut oil to produce energy, rather than be stored as body fat.Medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also speed up the body’s metabolism, burning

more calories and promoting weight loss. The weight-loss effects of coconut oil have been clearly demonstrated by many researchers. They offer wonderful health benefits and are nowhere found more abundantly in nature outside coconut oil. For the hypothyroid sufferer the medium chain fats rev up the body's sluggish metabolism and promote weight loss as well.So how much coconut oil should one consume? A good therapeutic dosage is 3 to 4 tablespoons a day. This provides enough lauric acid to build the immune system. Also, look for unrefined coconut oil. Stay away from all hydrogenated oils, whether it is coconut oil or vegetable oils. Hydrogenated oils are oils with trans fatty acids, which have been altered from their original chemical composition, and have been shown to raise serum cholesterol levels that can lead to heart disease. Also look for unrefined coconut oils, like Virgin Coconut Oil. Most commercial coconut oils are RBD (refined,

bleached, and deodorized). While these RBD oils do in many cases maintain the beneficial chemical structures of the medium chain fatty acids, they also contain chemicals used in processing. Coconut oil has been called "the healthiest dietary oil on earth". If you're not using coconut oil for your daily cooking and body care needs you're missing out on one of nature's most amazing health products.

 

 

 

Bio:

By Maggie VandenBrekel E-Publishinghttp://www.coconut-connections.cominfo

 

-Beth S.

 

--- On Tue, 7/7/09, soy boy <soyboyincali wrote:

soy boy <soyboyincaliRe: Appearance and Advocacy"Tim Woodward" <trwoodward, tammyCc: Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2009, 5:35 PM

 

 

 

 

Tim,I wasn't comparing people with weight and health issues to wearing a clown suit to court or bikini to a job interview. If that's how you read or others read it, then I understand why you'd be offended. I was simply (and apparently poorly) attempting to illustrate how appearance can affect effectiveness due to peoples perceptions. I agree, weight and health issues are not always a matter of choice. Yes, genetics and other factors play a part, but it isn't the whole picture. For many it IS a matter of choice. Fortunately, we live in a time and place where we CAN choose what we put in our bodies. I know that if I choose a soy hot dog for dinner tonight, I'm making a great choice for the animals, but a bad choice for my body. If I choose beans and rice and veggies, I'm making a great choice for both. I believe that's the point that McDougall was making in

the first place.-Rob

 

 

Tim Woodward <trwoodward (AT) msn (DOT) com>

 

 

 

Rob, It's little wonder people take offense. From reading your email it could seem as if you're comparing people with weight issues or health challenges who want to effectively advocate for veganism to someone as silly and frivilous as to wear a bikini to a job interview or a clown suit to court. Why would ANYONE find that offensive? To state the obvious - weight and health issues are NOT always a matter of choice - like your outfit for the day. They also are not as easily or quickly changed as a set of clothes. Since vegetarians/ vegans have long been unfairly stereotyped as weak, skinny to the point of unhealthy, thinned boned etc... I'm saddened to see that a number of people in the community either share or can "understand" a similar prejudice in the opposite direction. While I didn't want to say this in my

original post because it sounds egotistical and I didn't think it necessary to make the point - I will say it now. Fortunately for me and the vegan community my employer did NOT judge me based on my size (maybe becauses I didn't wear a bathing suit but I still don't see how that applies). I work at a large animal rights organization where I head up development. I have raised in excess of 1.5 million dollars just since Jan. to further animal rights and vegan causes, often with direct contact with donors, -- 85% of every dollar going directly into multiple campaigns (not all vegan related but many). I would argue that alone makes me as effective, if not more effective than many "skinny=healthy" people who would question whether or not I'm effective based on my size. With that said I wish you all well - I'm going to quit monitoring this list now and this incredibly sad and

frustrating debate and I'm going to go back to doing things that actually are making a difference. Peace,Tim