Sunday, July 23, 2017

Weight Loss and Lectins

Take in fewer calories and burn more; you can’t help but lose weight. Yeah, right. Over a six month period, that has resulted in a 10 lb. permanent loss.

Per my medical chart, I am “morbidly obese”. Nice ring to it, don’t you think.

In my thirties, had moderate success with the Atkins diet. Late thirties, did a 30 day water only fast. Lost eight pounds.

Now in my seventies, I want to drop at least 100 lbs. Three years ago I got a pacemaker. Since then my energy levels have declined. Strength wise, have gone from picking up a vehicle and setting it on a jack to hiring people to do my heavy lifting. Is it the pacemaker or age? Doesn’t matter, the outcome matters.

Recently came across the writings of  Steven R. Gundry, M.D.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Gundry

His book, The Plant Paradox, explores the relationship of lectin, produced by plants to make them unpalatable to their enemies, and the effects of lectin consumption on human health.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectin

While not obsessed, I have a keen interest in alternative medicine. Perhaps I’m a sucker for snake oil sales but prefer to consider these decisions a product of intelligent choices.  

As an example, food grade hydrogen peroxide.

http://eridu666.webs.com/The%20One%20Minute%20Cure.pdf

My father’s side of the family is riddled with cancer. For the past five years, I’ve taken five drops of 30% H2O2 daily. My clinic runs a cancer screen on me twice a year (at my request). So far, negative. Being able to sunburn under a 100 watt light bulb, I have lots of basil cell skin patches. Instead of the liquid nitrogen treatment at $$$$s, I put the 30% H2O2 on them. Results in thirty minutes of acute discomfort and a few days of red scabs but the basil cells are gone, at least for awhile. My annual cost? Less than $50.

Nearly everyone on my mother’s side of the family is heavy and they are hard working people. Leads me to think there may be a genetic factor, or a common diet factor, or both in combination. Lectin may play a role and that has sparked my interest.

A part of Dr. Gundry’s writings concern the relationship of intestinal flora and health. Our bodies have both good and bad. Both have specific types of food that let them flourish. He suggests food groups that feed the good flora and starve the bad. Thought provoking.


Like many people, I was trained from an early age to work through pain. There is enjoyment in feeling your body grow, adapt, and strengthen. At my present age, the pain doesn’t go away, and the gains are minimal. That makes it even harder to keep up your morale and stick with a program. Guess that is why I keep looking for that magic bullet.

10 comments:

LL said...

Diets aren't manageable in the long run unless they are or become 'lifestyle'.

My motto: Never eat more in one sitting than you can lift.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Correct. Working on both diet and lifestyle.

SiGraybeard said...

Brain: Diets don't work.
Pinky: Not even if you call them 'A Whole New Way of Eating?'
Brain: No. Source

Even cartoons get it.

Nothing fails as often as "eat less and move more". It works for about 5% of the population. The body simply reduces its resting energy expenditure to compensate for less input. It has been verified in many studies.

If you're academically inclined, read, "The Obesity Code" by Dr. Jason Fung, a Canadian nephrologist who has successfully gotten thousands of diabetics' diseases reversed. (Obesity doesn't cause diabetes: the genetics that lead to diabetes lead to obesity first.)

Obviously a topic too deep for a blog comment!

Coffeypot said...

Not sure if can qualify, with the pacemaker, but have you considered the by-pass or baloon surgery to lose the weight. My daughter did it and lost over 150 lbs. She had to have it done to live.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Thanks for the information. I will look into "The Obesity Code".

Well Seasoned Fool said...

Any kind of surgery, with my mindset, is a last resort. My knees, for example.

Momma Fargo said...

You know what? I feel for you. I am the same way and I am only 49. I am fighting it tooth and nail. Much of my problems are attributed to my asthma. I would recommend the Mediterranean diet. Also endorsed by the Mayo Clinic. It did and does help me. I'm not perfect by any means. My doctor is Indian and she said it does matter what kind of calories, not just number. Fresh is best. And eat meat. I like her. Walk every day or be active. If active is house cleaning or something with movement you can count it. Don't over do it with your pacemaker, especially in the heat. Drink lots of water. I also use alternative medicine. It's all good.

Momma Fargo said...

Oh and metabolism does change and your friend above is correct and that was also said to me by my doctor. Dr. Singh says you must cut out processed and pops and go with water, black coffees and teas, and eat fresh, 4 oz proteins and have a beer or glass of wine once in awhile if you wish. No refined sugar. I had dropped 27 pounds in 3 months which is slow but permanent

Well Seasoned Fool said...

When I started this plan, the goal was to first stop gaining. That was a success. The second part was to lose two pounds a week. Haven't come close.

Well Seasoned Fool said...

I'll keep studying, and keep plugging.