shizz702
12-31-08, 7:44 pm
Here's a great post I just read on the strength mill forum that I figured you guys would find interesting:
Original link here: http://www.strengthmill.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3578
Calling health risks into play requires a look at all the individual components of this so called "unhealthy" food. Your typical inane nutritionist will most likely bring up calories, saturated fat, trans fat, (dietary) cholesterol, sodium, carbs, and sugar. As I'm sure you are aware, calories only matter when looked at in comparison to individual goals and activity levels. If you're a sedentary individual trying to lose 10lbs in order to fit into a pair of jeans, then you're a pussy that needs to live off of a 2500-3500 calorie diet. However, if you're looking to gain strength and put some meat on your bones, then being anal about caloric intake amounts to moot (unless you're being anal about making sure to take in a gallon of milk a day; in this case you aren't anal, you're motivated)
Next on the list of qualms of ignorant nutritionists is saturated fat. Saturated fats provide essential functions such as building cell membranes and assisting in vitamin absorption. The reason they get a bad rep is because they apparently raise LDL or "bad cholesterol" levels. However, there is no such fucking thing as bad cholesterol. According to Anthony Colpo: "Cholesterol is needed for the synthesis of bile acids, which are essential for the absorption of fats, and of many hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, dihydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and cortisol. Together with sun exposure, cholesterol is required to produce vitamin D. Cholesterol is an
essential element of cell membranes, where it provides structural support and may even serve as a protective antioxidant. It is essential for conducting nervous impulses, especially at the level of the synapse."
The only distinction between LDL and HDL cholesterol is that LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues and HDL will transport the waste back to the liver for excretion. Supposedly, the cholesterol being carried in the low-density lipoprotein will gush the arteries with fat; however, there is not a correlation between blood levels of LDL cholesterol and atherosclerosis. (This often becomes a touchy subject for advocates of the "bad-cholesterol" title. If anyone wants me to expand on this, I will)
Also interesting to note, is the difference between native LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL. Going back to our friend Anthony Colpo: "Native LDL cholesterol is a vitally important substance and is not in any way atherogenic. Statin drugs, the only LDL-lowering agents shown to have clinical benefit in reducing the incidence of heart disease, have been shown to exert their benefits via mechanisms totally unrelated to LDL cholesterol reduction. A potential causative role in atherosclerosis and heart disease has indeed been detected for oxidized LDL, but this form of LDL shows no correlation with serum levels of native LDL. Rather, individual antioxidant status appears to be a key factor influencing serum concentrations of oxidized LDL." In conclusion, eat all the saturated fat you want. It's good for you.
Moving on to trans fat. It appears that our nutritionist friends finally (most likely luckily) arrived to the conclusion that trans fats are bad. Dietary trans fats have been the subject of many objective and proper scientific studies (unlike LDL cholesterol levels). It has been proven that trans fatty acids do have an atherogenic effect, but this effect is independent of serum cholesterol elevation. Don't fear the trans fat, but do respect it. McDonald's menu items do contain some trans fat, but if you're a healthy individual, the danger is minimal. If you're really worried about it, then hit up Taco Bell. Extremely caloric-dense food with relatively no trans fat.
Dietary cholesterol has little correlation to blood serum cholesterol levels. Even if cholesterol did directly effect serum levels, that would put it in the same boat as saturated fat, still making dietary cholesterol fine to consume. Lots of people criticize eggs (specifically the yolk) for having a high amount of dietary cholesterol. Ignore them. Dietary cholesterol doesn't amount to shit. Don't be caught throwing out the yolks like a little bitch.
Carbs and sugar will fall under the umbrella topic of "macronutrient mind-fuck." You don't need to micromanage the proportions of proteins, carbs, and fats that you take in. Well, not to a significant degree at least. Just make sure to get in some good, quality carbs in every meal along with some protein. You don't have to specifically seek out fats because you will most likely get enough from normal food. Personally, I take a tablespoon of cod liver oil a day for its purported benefits, but it isn't necessary. People will literally drive themselves mad trying to strike the "perfect" balance of carbs, proteins, and fats, but it's not worth it.
Finally, let's talk about sodium. Sodium increases your blood pressure. An increased blood pressure isn't healthy. Let's talk about some solutions. Make sure to consume water, milk, and a healthy dose of fruit. That's it. Milk and fruit contain a huge serving of potassium, which effectively nullifies sodium's bad effects. It's important to stay hydrated, but you don't have to go overboard. Your body will usually tell you how much water you need to drink, and you'll get a lot of water from food (especially milk). Coach Rip's suggestion to drink a gallon of milk a day is better advice than what 99% of "professional" nutritionists will tell you.
More on blood pressure real quick. If you're athletic, you will most likely have higher than normal blood pressure. This is a result of physiological changes that the heart will go through in order to adapt to your activity level. Here's a link to some more information if any of yall are interested: http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/ahs
Back to the question that was asked. No, McDonalds will not kill you (unless you're sedentary). Yes, it will probably make you fat if you don't exercise control (great tasting and calorie-dense food). The blame for America's health epidemic should be directed towards sedentary lifestyles and widespread misinformation in the two major departments concerning health: nutrition and exercise. Just as Rippetoe is a rare jewel in a sea of inept fitness "experts," you will only find a few capable nutritionists who look past the inconclusive, subjective, and vomit-inducing lies that have been accepted as fact among professionals and the mainstream crowd.
I'd like to take some time here to apologize for this behemoth of a post that I've conceived in response to a seemingly simple question. Most of the time that I'm caught advocating fast food for athletes, I get anal raped by everyone and their mothers. If anyone wants me to expand on any portion of this, I'll be glad to do it. Also, from what I've read Rip say about nutrition, I've almost always wholeheartedly agreed with him every time. His practical approach to problem-solving is a perfect example of how one can give sound advice without requiring fancy titles or letters following his name.
Original link here: http://www.strengthmill.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3578
Calling health risks into play requires a look at all the individual components of this so called "unhealthy" food. Your typical inane nutritionist will most likely bring up calories, saturated fat, trans fat, (dietary) cholesterol, sodium, carbs, and sugar. As I'm sure you are aware, calories only matter when looked at in comparison to individual goals and activity levels. If you're a sedentary individual trying to lose 10lbs in order to fit into a pair of jeans, then you're a pussy that needs to live off of a 2500-3500 calorie diet. However, if you're looking to gain strength and put some meat on your bones, then being anal about caloric intake amounts to moot (unless you're being anal about making sure to take in a gallon of milk a day; in this case you aren't anal, you're motivated)
Next on the list of qualms of ignorant nutritionists is saturated fat. Saturated fats provide essential functions such as building cell membranes and assisting in vitamin absorption. The reason they get a bad rep is because they apparently raise LDL or "bad cholesterol" levels. However, there is no such fucking thing as bad cholesterol. According to Anthony Colpo: "Cholesterol is needed for the synthesis of bile acids, which are essential for the absorption of fats, and of many hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, dihydroepiandrosterone, progesterone, and cortisol. Together with sun exposure, cholesterol is required to produce vitamin D. Cholesterol is an
essential element of cell membranes, where it provides structural support and may even serve as a protective antioxidant. It is essential for conducting nervous impulses, especially at the level of the synapse."
The only distinction between LDL and HDL cholesterol is that LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues and HDL will transport the waste back to the liver for excretion. Supposedly, the cholesterol being carried in the low-density lipoprotein will gush the arteries with fat; however, there is not a correlation between blood levels of LDL cholesterol and atherosclerosis. (This often becomes a touchy subject for advocates of the "bad-cholesterol" title. If anyone wants me to expand on this, I will)
Also interesting to note, is the difference between native LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL. Going back to our friend Anthony Colpo: "Native LDL cholesterol is a vitally important substance and is not in any way atherogenic. Statin drugs, the only LDL-lowering agents shown to have clinical benefit in reducing the incidence of heart disease, have been shown to exert their benefits via mechanisms totally unrelated to LDL cholesterol reduction. A potential causative role in atherosclerosis and heart disease has indeed been detected for oxidized LDL, but this form of LDL shows no correlation with serum levels of native LDL. Rather, individual antioxidant status appears to be a key factor influencing serum concentrations of oxidized LDL." In conclusion, eat all the saturated fat you want. It's good for you.
Moving on to trans fat. It appears that our nutritionist friends finally (most likely luckily) arrived to the conclusion that trans fats are bad. Dietary trans fats have been the subject of many objective and proper scientific studies (unlike LDL cholesterol levels). It has been proven that trans fatty acids do have an atherogenic effect, but this effect is independent of serum cholesterol elevation. Don't fear the trans fat, but do respect it. McDonald's menu items do contain some trans fat, but if you're a healthy individual, the danger is minimal. If you're really worried about it, then hit up Taco Bell. Extremely caloric-dense food with relatively no trans fat.
Dietary cholesterol has little correlation to blood serum cholesterol levels. Even if cholesterol did directly effect serum levels, that would put it in the same boat as saturated fat, still making dietary cholesterol fine to consume. Lots of people criticize eggs (specifically the yolk) for having a high amount of dietary cholesterol. Ignore them. Dietary cholesterol doesn't amount to shit. Don't be caught throwing out the yolks like a little bitch.
Carbs and sugar will fall under the umbrella topic of "macronutrient mind-fuck." You don't need to micromanage the proportions of proteins, carbs, and fats that you take in. Well, not to a significant degree at least. Just make sure to get in some good, quality carbs in every meal along with some protein. You don't have to specifically seek out fats because you will most likely get enough from normal food. Personally, I take a tablespoon of cod liver oil a day for its purported benefits, but it isn't necessary. People will literally drive themselves mad trying to strike the "perfect" balance of carbs, proteins, and fats, but it's not worth it.
Finally, let's talk about sodium. Sodium increases your blood pressure. An increased blood pressure isn't healthy. Let's talk about some solutions. Make sure to consume water, milk, and a healthy dose of fruit. That's it. Milk and fruit contain a huge serving of potassium, which effectively nullifies sodium's bad effects. It's important to stay hydrated, but you don't have to go overboard. Your body will usually tell you how much water you need to drink, and you'll get a lot of water from food (especially milk). Coach Rip's suggestion to drink a gallon of milk a day is better advice than what 99% of "professional" nutritionists will tell you.
More on blood pressure real quick. If you're athletic, you will most likely have higher than normal blood pressure. This is a result of physiological changes that the heart will go through in order to adapt to your activity level. Here's a link to some more information if any of yall are interested: http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/ahs
Back to the question that was asked. No, McDonalds will not kill you (unless you're sedentary). Yes, it will probably make you fat if you don't exercise control (great tasting and calorie-dense food). The blame for America's health epidemic should be directed towards sedentary lifestyles and widespread misinformation in the two major departments concerning health: nutrition and exercise. Just as Rippetoe is a rare jewel in a sea of inept fitness "experts," you will only find a few capable nutritionists who look past the inconclusive, subjective, and vomit-inducing lies that have been accepted as fact among professionals and the mainstream crowd.
I'd like to take some time here to apologize for this behemoth of a post that I've conceived in response to a seemingly simple question. Most of the time that I'm caught advocating fast food for athletes, I get anal raped by everyone and their mothers. If anyone wants me to expand on any portion of this, I'll be glad to do it. Also, from what I've read Rip say about nutrition, I've almost always wholeheartedly agreed with him every time. His practical approach to problem-solving is a perfect example of how one can give sound advice without requiring fancy titles or letters following his name.