Turn Off the Fat Genes - A Book Review

Once in a while a good title comes along and "Turn Off the Fat Genes" is one of those titles that just have to be written about. If you are not familiar with Dr. Neal Barnard's work, he has been writing about how to lose weight on a high carbohydrate diet for at least a decade now.

I'm amazed, as you might be, that his work is not better known. There are a number of advantages to using a high carb diet and as many disadvantages to the low carb/ high protein diets.

There is some great research in his books that document the ability to lose weight on a high carbohydrate diet, which may also be healthier in the long run than the ever-popular low carbohydrate diets.

You might think it surprising, as I do, that more people are not using high carb diets to lose weight. You might also conclude that this is solely due to a lack of awareness on the part of the public.

Turn of the Fat Genes, written by Dr. Neal Barnard features over 150 pages of menus and recipes. The recipe and menu section is very comprehensive and you can definitely find recipes that will delight you out of such a large compilation.

Dr. Bernard discusses the concept that some of the genes that shape and influence us as human beings are themselves subject to influence. The genes that affect taste, appetite and metabolism are subject to the influence of the foods that we eat.

Not only are they subject to influence, the proper use of foods can mean that you don't have to sacrifice and starve yourself of decent nutrition. You can modify your diet, eat perhaps even more frequently and still enjoy weight loss. Does that sound incredible? It is real. You might feel incredulous because the masses of people out there have been told that low carb is the way to go.

I have been following some of the suggestions in one of Dr. Barnard's books and I can tell you that a high carb diet can help you lose weight. Using his suggestions, I can eat a lot of food frequently and I still seem to stay thin.

To give you an idea of what kind of information "Turn Off the Fat Genes" can provide you with, here is a list of some of the Chapter titles:

Taste Genes: Broccoli and Chocolate

Appetite and the Leptin Gene

The Fat-Building Gene

Fat-Burning: Turning the Flame Higher

How Genes Influence Your Exercise

Children and the Fat Genes

Food Choices for Optimal Weight Control

Dr. Barnard writes, "Contrary to popular opinion, scientific research reveals that genes are not dictators; they are committees. They do not give orders. They make suggestions. Genes are not rogue tyrants exerting despotic control over your waistline. Rather, they work in groups, often with subtle effects, and you can nudge them in the direction you want them to go. You can counteract the fat genes and boost your thin genes."

In ancient times, Hippocrates said, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food." Of course we aren't really talking about healing as much as we are discussing losing weight, but the principle applies.

One thing I learned from another of Dr. Barnard's books is that carbohydrates don't make people fat. It is fat that makes people fat. And it makes sense. Carbohydrates pack around 4 calories per gram and fats have about 9 calories per gram.

By the way, even though it is correct terminology, the fact is that the calories discussed here are actually 'thousands of calories'. In nutrition they decided to make a calorie equal to 1,000 real life calories as measured for energy.

Anyway I don't want to confuse anyone, because the RDA is based on nutrition calories, also known as Calories, but no one capitalizes the C as should be done. You can just keep thinking of calories as calories and don't worry about the technicalities.

Back to the story. Dr. Barnard's books on high carb diets are great reading and may inform you about healthier weight loss than you are currently use to. Did I mention the recipe list?

This article is for information purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or prevent any health condition. If you have or think you have a health condition or even just want to diet, please consult your physician.

Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Bodybuilding Weightloss Diet Tips And Strategies

Just the facts on bodybuilding weightloss strategies that work. No... Read More

Eating Habits That Can Help You Lose Weight And Stay That Way

There are certain eating habits that can make you gain... Read More

Weight Loss Woes

Weight loss is an issue that affects men and women... Read More

The Psychology of Weight Loss ? Getting to the Roots of the Matter!

The Psychology of Weight Loss ? Your Approach!We have missed... Read More

Who Else Wants To Lose Weight? Stop Dieting!

From personal experience I have myself like all of you... Read More

The Maharishi Ayurveda Approach to Weight Loss

5 Easy Steps to A Healthier WeightAlthough different people have... Read More

WLS Patients Take Too Long to Order Food: What?s That About?

Families who dine out with their loved ones who've had... Read More

Obesity - The Number 1 Health Issue in the US

Obesity is quickly becoming the number one health issue confronting... Read More

Have You Tried These Weight Loss Tips?

The following are weight loss tips that you can start... Read More

Weight Loss Proteins -- The Casein & Whey Protein Debate

The weight loss protein debate centers around the effectiveness of... Read More

Plot Your Weight Loss Course

I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved... Read More

Weight Loss - Make a Significant and Lasting Lifestyle Change

Losing weight can make a significant and life altering change... Read More

Fat Burning Exercise: Choose One That Can Revive Your Bodys Own Fat Burning Dynamism

Fat burning exercise is not merely one that will burn... Read More

Help me, Im Addicted to Sugar

A client wrote, "Help me! I thought I was finally... Read More

The Fastest Way To Your After Photo

You've seen them a hundred times: "Before" and "After" pictures.... Read More

Weight Loss, Exercise, and Bodybuilding Tips ? Keeping Your Body-Fat Low: Part 7 of 10

People usually quit weightloss and exercise programs for one of... Read More

An Incredible New Weight Loss Product ? Your Brain!

I would like to introduce you to an incredible new... Read More

Surviving Glycemic Diets (Ketogenic, Low-Carb or Atkins):

1.The first step to living a Glycemic Diet Lifestyle is... Read More

Holiday Wearing A Weight Loss Halo

You may have read the old stories about how much... Read More

The First Tragedy in a Lifetime of Weightloss

I am approaching 70 years of age very quickly and... Read More

The Evil of Carbohydrates (?)

In recent years, carbohydrates have been labeled as the nutrition... Read More

Schoolchildren on South Beach diet

As a part of a children's diet and health study,... Read More

5 Easy Steps to Help You Lose Weight

When losing weight, most of us don't have the time... Read More

Ephedra - 101

What is ephedra? Ephedra, which is also known as Ma... Read More

Top Thirty Weight Loss Tips and Tricks

Here are some everyday, helpful hints to get you started,... Read More

The Magic Formula Works its Wonder Today Part 4

The people of earlier times depended on the rich resource... Read More

I Can, I Cant

One common question I receive is, "What do you do... Read More

Hoodia ? Its Basic Nature Part 3

Hoodia Gordonii a cactus plant found thousands of miles away... Read More

When Cellulite Attacks!

Cellulite is a recent addition to the English language. In... Read More

Weight Loss Benefits of Massage

There is no question that having a massage makes you... Read More

The Benefits of Omega3 Fatty Acids - Losing Weight with Fat!

Essential Fats for Weight LossOver the past few decades, the... Read More

Throw Out the Scale

Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More

Pediatric Obesity: A Look at the Epidemic

Obesity in America is at an epidemic level. It is... Read More