Nutrition is one of those fields that’s ever changing. Researchers are constantly figuring out new information about our bodies, and how they operate best. That’s why being your healthiest self can be a bit challenging – there’s a lot of (often conflicting) information out there!!
It’s okay though, because you’ve got me. I make it my responsibility to stay up to date on the current trends, so that I can pass along the most useful tips to you. Speaking of which, I recently discovered something very interesting about the fats in our food. I know most of you know the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats, or at least that there is a difference. But interestingly, there’s more to it.
In his book The Metabolic Blueprint, Josh Rubin extensively details the pros and cons of polyunsaturated fats (or PUFAS). Polyunsaturated fats are a subclass of unsaturated fats that have, until now, been extremely hyped up. Take a second to think about all the people and media sources telling you how good fish oil, nuts, salmon, safflower oil, and nut butters are food you. Well those are considered PUFAS, and can actually be causing you more harm than good. I discovered this was true for me very recently.
I’m pretty healthy. I eat 99% organic, whole foods. I work out, and have very little extra fat on my body. For some reason though I was still finding myself fatigued, struggling to recover from sickness, having issues with my digestion, and suffering from a flaky scalp. For quite some time now, I’ve wondered why this could be. I think I’ve found the culprit.
According to Dr. Ray Peat, some effects of PUFAS include:
- Lowering blood glucose levels by increasing insulin levels, causing blood sugar deregulation
- Inhibiting the thyroid and metabolization of carbohydrates into fat; slowing down all metabolic processes
- Cause deterioration of brain, muscles, and gonads by destroying Vitamin E
- Lowering overall Vitamin E in the body because PUFAS pull Vitamin E from the blood and into the tissues
- A deficiency in Vitamin E that allows for an increased conversion of linoleic acid into more unsaturated fats.
- Unsaturated fats mimic estrogen in the body and increase estrogen levels. This increases the likelihood of blood clots.
Since I cut out PUFAS about a week and half ago, I’ve seen a dramatic difference. My energy has spiked, my scalp stopped flaking, my digestion feels smoother, and that’s just the start!
Take a moment to assess your body. How is your energy? Are you fatigued? Do you experience tons of sugar cravings? How is your skin? Dry? What about your digestion? Do you have cold hands, feet and nose? Excess belly fat? Unexplained weight gain? Or a hard time losing weight?
You might want to try cutting out PUFAS too. I’d recommend removing them for a minimum of 2 weeks to see how you feel. PUFAS include:
- Safflower, Sunflower, Corn, Soybean, Cottonseed, Peanut, Canola, Nuts, Seeds, Avocado & Fish oils
Some better alternatives to nuts and PUFA oils are…
- Eating macadamia nuts instead, they contain the least amount of PUFAS (1.5 per 100 grams) and contain very little phytic acid.
- Soak your nuts, or sprout them! Soaking your nuts and seeds overnight in salty filtered water is best way to get rid of most of the phytic acid -and other antinutrients that irritate your gut lining, create inflammation, and inhibit your body from absorbing essential vitamins and minerals. To sprout them, dry your nutes in the sun, a dehydrator, or in an oven set at the absolute lowest temperature.
- Cook with coconut oil. Eat coconut. It is a saturated fat, contains lauric acid, and is a medium chain triglyceride. This aids in repairing the gut, acts as an anti inflammatory, antibacterial, anti microbial, boosts immune system, improves overall metabolism, increases energy production, burns fat, and much more. Grass fed butter may be another good option, but if your digestive system doesnʼt do well with dairy (at least not yet) then go with the coconut oil. Or try the goat’s milk grass fed butter, this is easier for dairy sensitive digestive systems to handle.
As always be sure to let me know what you think about this info by commenting blog, or heading over to my Facebook wall.
