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sophotia
Wed, Jul-30-03, 07:33
I receive self help e-mails and this one seemed particulary interesting and thought I'd share it with you all.

FAT BURNING HORMONE

There’s a lot of confusion about the hormone connection with metabolism and weight loss. In this letter, I want to discuss one of the most powerful fat burning hormone – GLUCAGON. Many people have understood insulin (which converts sugar into fat) as the fat producing hormone, but its partner glucagon is not well known.
“…glucagon has an effect exactly opposite to that of insulin.” Guyton Physiology
INSULIN stores fat, GLUCAGON burns fat.
“Perhaps the most important effect is that glucagon activates adipose (fat) cell lipase (enzyme that breaks down fat), making increased quantities of fatty acids (fat) available for energy.” Guyton Physiology
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Glucagon increases an enzyme that dissolves fat. This fat is then used for energy.
Where can you get this hormone? One way is from exercise!

“In exhaustive exercise the blood concentration of glucagon often increases as much as 4 to 5 fold.” Guyton Physiology pg. 932.

But another way is in a certain food - no it’s not asparagus! Can you guess?
Glucagon is triggered by one food and one food only – PROTEIN.
Protein triggers a hormone (glucagon) to dissolve fat. That is the principle of why many people can lose weight on high protein diets. It also explains why many people on low protein diets have extreme difficulty losing weight.
Tips on proteins:
1. Eat raw proteins: raw nuts, cheese, yogurt, eggs with the yolk runny, if you eat meat – eat organic and slightly pink, you can eat cooked protein but eat at least half raw.
2. Eat mostly protein for breakfast and a good supply for lunch.
3. Avoid protein isolates from soy, whey, etc. (they are refined proteins)
4. Avoid protein bars – they are too processed.
5. The most easily digested proteins are eggs, scallops, squid and fish.
6. Never combine protein with sugar (sugary barbecue ribs, hot and sour chicken, etc.)
7. Go light on protein for supper – eat mostly vegetables, salad or soup.

aneredac
Wed, Jul-30-03, 07:51
Well, Well, there really is a reason this type of eating works!!
I mean, I knew that it works for me, and it is nice to see some other scientific reasons as to the why of it.

Thank you for sharing.

Rena

CincyBev
Wed, Jul-30-03, 08:10
Thanks for sharing that article.. It helps to understand how it all really works..

Marebear
Wed, Jul-30-03, 09:21
Interesting article, makes me want to go have a very rare steak and start burning more fat!! LOL. Thanks!

Mary

carlab68
Wed, Jul-30-03, 10:04
Thanks a million for the article. Very interesting and I know it to be true. As a diabetic I can 'see' the affect of exercise on my blood sugar. It lowers it greatly and stays low even the day after I exercise. Just another great reason to exercise and eat protein.

BTW my goal is to get on those coasters too!! Might have to meet you there for a ride on the Beast!

AntiM
Wed, Jul-30-03, 14:03
Thanks for passing on the information, Sophotia!

I wonder what they mean by "exhaustive exercise" - do you think they mean exercise to the point of muscle exhaustion? Hours and hours each day? And I'm curious to why refined protein wouldn't trigger the hormone release as well ... Any ideas?

Finally, it’s nice to read someone recommending less than thoroughly overcooked meat for once!

AntiM
Wed, Jul-30-03, 14:47
More Info from Colorado State University ...
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/pancreas/glucagon.html

An exerpt:

"Two other conditions are known to trigger glucagon secretion:

Elevated blood levels of amino acids, as would be seen after consumption of a protein-rich meal: In this situation, glucagon would foster conversion of excess amino acids to glucose by enhancing gluconeogenesis. Since high blood levels of amino acids also stimulate insulin release, this would be a situation in which both insulin and glucagon are active.

Exercise: In this case, it is not clear whether the actual stimulus is exercise per se, or the accompanying exercise-induced depletion of glucose."

Also ... I'm still working out what this means translated into Biology-For Dummies, but it sounds good:

"Glucagon also appears to have a minor effect of enhancing lipolysis of triglyceride in adipose tissue, which could be viewed as an addition means of conserving blood glucose by providing fatty acid fuel to most cells."