Junk in your trunk? Blame junk science.

We all play the dunce once in a while.


Lots of Americans have extra junk in their trunk these days. For that matter, the whole world is getting fatter. If you have too much junk in your trunk, you may what to blame junk science.

Definition for Junk science from Wikimedia:

Junk science is a term used in U.S. political and legal disputes that brands an advocate's claims about scientific data, research, or analyses as spurious. The term may convey a pejorative connotation that the advocate is driven by political, ideological, financial, or other unscientific motives.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_science

Junk science is rampant in the American zeitgeist. Most of us believe nutritional and medical myths, like a low fat diet is heart healthy, because we've heard this nonsense repeated over and over. So it must be based on solid science, right? Wrong. The low fat diet myth is just one junk science myth we intend to cover here. Another will be the high carbohydrate diet pushed by the US government and agriculture. We'll explain why this nutrition advice train wreck is the main reason why we're seeing a sharp rise in obesity and diabetes.

Read "Faulty study on low carbohydrate and heart disease risk exposed by Carol Bardelli."

Junk science is fueled by a gullible media machine that rarely looks at the science behind the medical and nutrition studies they report on. Almost all of the mainstream media, nutrition "experts" and the medical community blindly accept health and diet myths. And when the proven science catches up to their beliefs, they stand fast.

Even Dr. Mehmet Oz, dubbed "America's Doctor" by his popular daytime talk show "The Dr. Oz Show" recently (February 24, 2010) said he was not a fan of low carbohydrate diets. This blanket statement on "all" low carbohydrate diets wasn't exactly a fair assessment of low carbohydrate eating. And it ignored a great deal of scientific studies showing the benefits of low carbohydrate diets. And he said this despite the fact he claimed to approve of low carbohydrate diets on an episode of "Larry King Live" also featuring Dr. Andrew Weil, an advocate of low carb.

Click here to read more and watch the video Dr. Andrew Weil endorses Gary Taube's "Good Calories, Bad Calories" on "Larry King Live."

Faulty study on low carbohydrate diet and heart disease risk exposed

The Metabolic Society has weighed in on the latest nonsense about the "dangers" of a low carbohydrate diet. Mice genetically engineered to be susceptible to heart disease were used in a small study to "prove" carbohydrate restricted diets may harm arteries. Low-Carb Lifestyle Examiner Jimmy Moore showed in a recent article how the study was faulty. Click below to get the link.

This is the Press Release in which The Metabolic Society reported on this study:

Researchers use mutant mice genetically engineered to be susceptible to heart disease to 'prove' carbohydrate restricted diets may harm arteries.

Defects in ApoE -/- result in defects in processing blood cholesterol. As human studies continue to show the benefits of low carbohydrate diets and the general failure of low-fat diets, it is necessary for the nutritional establishment to find more and more obscure methods of attacking dietary carbohydrate restriction.

One method is to prepare mutant animal models, to use odd diet that humans would never consume, call them low carbohydrate diets and then show some deficit. Because mice are not generally susceptible to atherosclerosis, it was necessary for Foo and coworkers to use an ApoE-/- mutant and a ridiculously high protein diet to vilify low carbohydrate diets which have been a useful alternative for many people suffering from obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Read more and watch the video.

Nutrition Info 101: Do calories count on a low carbohydrate diet?

There's an ongoing argument between low fat advocates and low carb advocates about whether calories count. Calories are not the focus of a low carbohydrate lifestyle. If you go by the old "calories in, calories out" model used by low fat and low calorie diets, they always count. But is that model always strictly true or applicable to low carb diets?

There are two views on this issue, as with most nutritional approaches. One says, calories still count for the most part. Dr. Michael Eades wrote that, "It has been shown countless times that when people go on low-carb diets they spontaneously reduce their caloric intake. Most foods available on low-carbohydrate diets are satiating and those following these diets get full quickly. They just don’t eat that many calories. In most studies of low-carb diets people drop their caloric intake down to the 1500-1700 kcal range and are quite satisfied." Read more.

The other camp claims low carbohydrate diets give you a metabolic edge. The theory is a diet based mostly on protein and fat allows the body to burn more body fat even if your calorie intake isn't low. An example is Tom Naughton's experience in the documentary film "Fathead." Naughton lost 12 pounds although his calorie intake and energy output should have garnered him only a 7 pound loss. His doctor was perplexed.
Read more and watch the videos.

Easy low carb gourmet recipes everyone loves

In the mood for a savory appetizer followed by prime rib and crab salad? How about gourmet cheesecake for dessert, or a variety of cheeses and fresh fruit as a finisher. Here's an easy step by step plan for serving a delicious low carb meal your guests will love. No one has to know your serving up a low carb feast. These dishes are gourmet and deliver up flavor and flair. Enjoy! And be sure to check out my recipes and Jimmy Moore's low carb cheesecake recipe videos.

Carbohydrate Threshold - How Much Is Too Much?

Check out my latest at The Examiner on Carbohydrate Threshold.

Jimmy Moore has the article right below mine on Glen Gaesser and his high carb diet makes you slimmer and healthier claim. Check that out too. I'll lay a recipe or two or you soon. Just really busy right now.

Jimmy Moore is a New Examiner Columnist

Check it out! 'Livin' La Vida Low Carb Man' Jimmy Moore is a new Examiner columnist.

We know Jimmy will do The Examiner proud. You can always rely on Jimmy's low carb knowledge and advice. Check out his main website "Livin' La Vida Low Carb" as well.

Links Friday

This graphic is why I shouldn't be allowed to play with Photoshop.














It’s time for a links round up of websites worthy of checking out.

Opposing Views has a debate going on asking the ever controversial question “Are Low-Carb Diets Healthy?”

“Struggling with weight loss? Ever since Dr. Atkins introduced his revolutionary diet, low-carb regimens have been all the rage. These diets promise that you can lose weight, while still enjoying many of the foods you love (T-Bone steak anyone?). But some have warned that the low-carb craze isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. What should we be aware of when considering a farewell to pasta?”
Check out their discussion and feel free to add your two cents in the comments section. Our fellow low carb friends and warriors Jimmy Moore and Jamie VanEaton gave their views.

PJ at The Divine Low Carb has a raw, honest, and poignant post on how her body changes as she loses weight. Her details on the experience of her body's "redistribution of the wealth" is a great read.

Wifezilla has written several excellent posts lately I enjoyed. Check out her “More Reasons To Avoid Fruit Juice,” “Carbs Clog Your Brain” and “Wifezilla Versus Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld,” at Wifezilla’s Way.

And last but not least, be sure to check out Jamie VanEaton’s Low Carb Examiner Column AND Amy Dungan’s Low Carb Examiner Column. These Ladies have plenty to say about living a healthy low carb lifestyle.