We live in a part of the world where people are obsessive
with staying fit, being healthy, and reversing aging. People are always looking
for the next big supplement or super-food to deliver powerful results to body
composition and athletic performance. With these aspirations for health and
longevity there also comes an assortment of diets claiming to deliver the
desired results. The low-carbohydrate, paleo, mediterranean, whole-foods,
vegan, and vegetarianism diets are all popular in the contemporary nutrition
scene. However, we must understand that no two bodies are the same; this unique
principle known as individualization is often overlooked in the world of
nutrition. Lets take a closer look at this underdog.
In the enlightenment to the fact that every human body
responds differently to the biochemical effects of dietary intake, it is
reckless and harmful to infer that everyone should be eating the same food.
Worldwide examples of this can be seen in those of European descent and their
ability to produce the enzyme known as lactase.
Lactase production is higher of those European cultures compared to
other cultures who relied more on hunting gathering opposed to adopting dairy
for consumption. Chinese, Papa New Guinea, Pacific Islands, and Japanese populations
becoming carbohydrate adapted due to their continual consumption of a
carbohydrate rich diet is another fine example of the power of food, time, and
genetics.
There are various differences in genes, metabolic processes,
and food intolerances, which result in advantages and disadvantages of
particular food sources for an individual. AMY1, ApoE4, iron storage, vitamin A
synthesis, lactose and gluten are all fine examples of this.
AMY1 is the first amylase enzyme responsible for the
digestion of starch in the mouth. Individuals who have inferior expression
levels of the AMY1 don’t digest starch well. Therefore, a high carbohydrate
diet with limited activity may not be beneficial for those with low expression
of AMY1.
The vitamin A you get from plants is known as carotenoids.
The ability to convert these carotenoids into actual vitamin A varies from
person to person. So some of you may not do well on a vegan diet and could
seriously benefit from animal sources of vitamin A that don’t need to be
converted. Vitamin A is necessary for bone growth, reproduction, hormone
regulation and synthesis, immune function and vision.
Your ability to store iron will determine if you are well
off on a high meat and protein diet, common in paleo, and ketogenic style
diets. Some people store iron well and will be burdened by the toxic effects of
iron accumulation while others don’t store iron well and could benefit from a
high iron diet. In relation to high fat and protein diets, ApoE4 is a gene in
which affects one’s ability to transport cholesterol properly and store fat.
Again, a high fat diet of those with high expression of this gene may be
counter-productive to the diet’s merited benefits.
Digestive systems also vary in their ability to process
gluten and lactose; these food intolerances affect millions of people and seem
to be increasing at significant rates. So how do I determine whether or not I
possess these genes, metabolic processes, or food intolerances you are asking
yourself right now. In a nutshell, genetic testing is to expensive and not
mainstream yet, but perhaps in a few years these tests may be available to the
public. Food intolerance tests however can be done in today’s health care
system via a Naturopathic Doctor. It is noted that vitamin A and iron levels can be assessed with a blood report.
Last but not least you could listen to your body. Wait,
isn’t science always right and subjective thoughts about my diet are worthless?
In my opinion, your body is always right and it has an instinctive knowledge on
what it needs or doesn’t need for this matter, in order to thrive. I hate
seeing people confined and trapped in diets based on societal pressures or
fads.
I myself follow a whole food paleoish type of diet. I eat
this way simply because it agrees with my body. By using food journals and
experimenting with elimination diets you can see what foods agree with you. I
eat the way I eat in order to perform to the best of my capabilities in the
domains of cognitive, social, and physical aspects of life.
I would like to see diets die off soon. Lifestyle changes
are the ultimate catalysts to wellness. We should try to eliminate processed
food, refined sugar, and food additives. Striving for fresh vegetables, fruits
and healthy sources of protein is a good base along with drinking lots of water.
Be sure to get lots of good sleep, attain healthy social relationships, and
practice meditation. Indulge here and there but don’t be a slave to your body,
a wise man once told me.
I would like to thank Denise Minger, the author of “Death by Food Pyramid”, for the ideas
and the inspiration.
That’s it for this week,
Eat for yourself, no one else.
Cheers,
Mason, Eat Well, Be Well
