E2G EAT TO GROW
genesis (the transformation of non-fat foods
into body fat) following glucose loading was
markedly increased at the expense of glyco-
gen. They also noted that increased carbohy-
drate intake amplified mRNA (molecules that
send genetic information from DNA) levels
for three major fat-forming enzymes (sterol
regulatory element-binding protein-1c, ace-
tyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase).
Burning Fat With Fat And Protein
Nora T. Gedgaudas, the author of Primal Body,
Primal Mind and Primal Fat Burner, cites that
humans can manufacture just about every
molecule of glucose we need from a combi-
nation of fat and protein in the diet, essen-
tially switching metabolism from relying solely
on glucose to running on healthy fats. Other
researchers suggest utilizing healthy supple-
mental fats such as, borage oil, coconut oil,
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and gamma
linoleic acid (GLA, which is actually an
omega-6 fatty acid, which tends to be more
inflammatory and encourage fat storage, and
is metabolized differently from other ome-
ga-6s). While some inflammation is good,
such as signaling the muscle to start repair
processes and to increase muscle protein
synthesis, current data indicates that GLA
actually prevents destructive enzymes like cy-
clooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase
(LOX) from converting arachidonic acid (AA)
into inflammatory by-products. As you know,
when you consume meat or egg yolk, prime
sources of protein, excess levels of AA can
26 JUNE 2017 | ironmanmagazine.com
accumulate. For this reason, and because
about 43 percent of the protein in a large egg
is found in the yolk, GLA supplementation
makes good anabolic sense.
Michael and Mary Eades maintain that by
trimming as much of the visible fat from meat
and grilling your steaks or beef can reduce
AA levels by 35 percent. They also state that
keeping your insulin levels down and glu-
cagon (a hormone that signals fat cells to
release stored fat) levels elevated, deters your
body from manufacturing AA via the eico-
sanoid pathway. According to researchers at
Penn State, this pathway is comprised of var-
LOW INTAKES OF FAT AND
HIGH CARBOHYDRATE
CONSUMPTION
REDUCES WHOLE BODY
LIPOLYSIS, TOTAL FAT
OXIDATION, AND FATTY
ACID OXIDATION DURING
FASTED EXERCISE.
ious lipid mediators derived from linoleic acid
(LA), an omega-6 fatty acid. Unfortunately,
high levels of LA upregulates inflammation
and the manifestation of various metabolic
disorders. While both omega-6 and omega-3
fatty acid are considered essential, meaning
the body can’t manufacture them on its own
and infer health benefits, researchers note
that it is important to maintain a proper ratio
or intake of omega-6s to omega-3s. To this
point, the Center for Genetics, Nutrition and
Health in Washington maintain that the cur-
rent rate of intake of omega-6s to omega-3s
is 15 to 1, with some organizations like the
American Heart Association showing ratios
of 20 to 50:1. The current consensus among
many different health and fitness experts,
is that for optimal health and body compo-
sition, the ideal ratio should be somewhere
between 1:1 and 5:1.
Big Fat Deal
Despite these new revelations about satu-
rated fat, researchers still suggest that your
intake should comprise more of the healthier
unsaturated fats, with limited to zero intake
of trans fats. Overall, it appears that reducing
your total fat intake to levels below 20 percent
can seriously impede the proper function of
anabolic and metabolic transactions that can
derail your attempts to build and sustain not
only a muscular but healthy body. You need
ample amounts of unsaturated and saturated
fats to do both. IM