Why you struggle to lose weight!

It is no coincidence that we are in the middle of an obesity epidemic. Obesity now is the fastest growing disease on the planet. But why?

We now have more low fat/no fat products on the supermarket shelves than at any other time. I see people picking up the low fat versions of their favourite foods.

So if we are eating less fat, exercising more why are we getting fatter.

Here we go bold statement coming up FAT DOES NOT MAKE US FAT!!!

Ok I can hear people saying yes it does, I say it does not and the argument starts. However consider this statement for a while. If fat does not make us fat, What does?

How many people believe fat turns to fat in the body, so if we eat fat it adds to our fat?

Now let me just add something here, any excess consumption of food whether from fat, carbs or proteins will be stored as fat.

Fat as an energy source is amazing, because it is so calorie dense, it is vital for the use of fat as energy, that oxygen is present which is lucky for us because we use it every day, oxygen causes the reaction of ATP adenosine tri phosphate, think of this as the energy currency for all tissues.

The potential energy stored in the fat molecule of an average sized male is about 81,000 kcals, take away the body fat required for vital 

functions this would leave 65,000 kcal available for energy enough to power a 500-600 mile run.

An ideal intake of fat should be around 20-25% of total calorie intake/day, saturated should make up the lowest amount of this percentage. The Majority should come from good fats which are omega 3 and omega 6 oils. The benefits of these are massive reductions in heart disease, controlling inflammation, Reduce arthritis, help reduce menstrual pain. In numerous animal studies omega 3 fatty acids decreased the number, size and growth rate of tumors. Research has indicated that omega 3s are of benefit to colon, pancreas, breast and prostate cancer.

So we have put the Fat theory to rest, so if its not fat what is it that makes us fat.

The answer is sugar!

All carbohydrates are converted to sugar in the body. Some are better utilized than others, however they all cause a raise in Blood sugar and as a response a raise in the hormone insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing disease in the western world according to the WHO 171 million people worldwide suffer with diabetes.

So what are sugars.

Monosaccharides  (simple sugars) Glucose

Fructose found in fruit and the sweetest of all sugars.

Dissaccharides

Lactose found in milk

Maltose found in the malt of beers

Sucrose basically table sugar.

As you can see it is in all carbohydrates and most foods.

So what?

Well sugar has a massive list of  side effects.