Diabetes: What is happening in Malaysia?

I remember some of my older friends used to always tell me "Eat in moderation, and you will be fine". One of them think that sugar is necessity for the body to thrive and survived. His son died of cancer, after multiple rounds of toxic chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The oncologist told him that his son can eat his usual diet as long as the boy undergo chemo and radiotherapy treatments. That advise itself is a 'last nail in the coffin' from a medical professional who is suppose to be a specialist in treating cancer. Cancer cells feeds on sugars. Otto Heinrich Warburg, won the Nobel Prize for discovering this crucial piece of information about sugars and cancer cells. The question is, how many oncologists acknowledge this fact about cancer cells feeds on glucose (sugars)? 

We have been hardwired with dietary advises of 'calories in, calories out' from all over the medias. We have been advised to consume foods in moderation by doctors, dieticians and nutritonists and even friends and relatives. Yes, moderation in food consumption. This dietary advise has been passed on to people all over the nation, for decades since the time when my parents are studying in high school. Easily more then 40-50 years ago, most of us have been told to eat in moderation and we knew that. And we all know about reducing our dietary calories in order to lose weight. Calories in calories out dietary advise is so out of date and old school. Many of us tried eat less and dropping the calories, and it doesn't work for permanent weight/fat loss. Else, everyone would be fitness models by now.

Both these dietary advises of 'eating in moderation' and 'calories in calories out' are practically embedded in our long term memory and we often think that we will be healthy and do just fine, as long as we follow both these theories. Guess what is happening to our health status right now? Our diabetes is 20.6% in 2011, from 14.9% in 2006. That's more then 5% increase in every 5 years. By 2016, we will hit approximately 26% of diabetes rates in Malaysia. Malaysia is one of the most diabetic and obese nation in Asia, and it will only get worst in 5-10 years from now. The next generation will suffer worst then current breed of population, as diseases rates will increase and incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes will no doubt be virtually out of control in the next 10-15 years. 

When I read a recent article published in local newspaper, I was speechless. The title of the article "Preventing diabetes: It's all about a healthy lifestyle and moderation". For those who missed this article, I've posted a screenshot below and highlighted some of the advises/comments provided by Nutrition of Society of Malaysia President. 

1) "There has been no evidence that consumption of sugar causes diabetes"

Well, of course it is almost impossible to have a study that shows a single substance causes a particular disease or medical condition. Most scientists and medical professionals know about this, but with this comment in the article published in the newspaper, what do you think the readers will react and think? Spontaneously, whoever read this comment, he or she will think that sugar does not cause diabetes and there is no harm to consume sugars. As sugar addiction is so much powerful then heroine and cocaine, do you think consuming foods laden with sugars will be moderately controlled? Honestly, I don't think so.

2) "Diabetes is mainly caused by excessive intake of calories"
Again, calories in calories out mindset has to be removed from our mindset. We have to focus more on what causes insulin and leptin resistance, and prevent the roller coaster burst and secretion of insulin (high levels). If we focus on calories intake, we will NEVER tackle diabetes or any other chronic diseases for as long as you wish. Of course sugar is not the single culprit for increased risk of diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. There are other factors which will be key players in causing and perpetuating diabetes such as poor circadian rhythm and chronic stress levels. Primarily, anything which triggers the body to secrete glucocorticoids hormones cortisol in response to insulin release.   


3) "People with diabetes should also know that they also can eat chocolates and sweets as long as these are part of healthy meal plan and consume in moderation. For example, regular sugar can be replaced with brown sugar, artifical sweeteners".

I'm practically speechless. Advising diabetic patients to consume sweets is exactly the same with telling cancer patients to eat their 'usual diet'. I'm starting to think that the cause of diabetes is not from our lifestyle and diet, but it is from a misleading wrong health advise from these so called health professionals. Meanwhile, most commercial chocolate products contains loads of sugars and artifical sweeteners, which can be harmful to the body. 

Diabetes (Malaysia)- From bad to worst!

  
 

Journals: 
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/88/5/1189.full
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0057873
http://advances.nutrition.org/content/4/2/236.abstract

Vote to force FDA remove trans fat from food products!

Hi All,

As some of you might have read or heard the news in media lately that FDA is considering removing trans fat from food products. This is the time to comment to FDA within the 60 days 'comment period'. FDA will decide and confirm the decision after the 60 days comment period. As food consumer, do your part in helping first step of eliminating trans fat in foods. Vote and drop your comment in FDA website as below. I have screenshot the steps of how to comment in the website. It is time to stop blaming wrongly saturated fats and cholesterol as cause of heart disease. Say NO to trans fat!

 STEP 1: access regulations.gov and enter docket number FDA-2013-N-1317

STEP 2: Click Comment Now! button and you are free to write your comments to FDA.

War on fats - A huge mistake

Whoever watched the double video series in my previous post, check out the graphs below for further solid information about saturated fats. Still eating low fat diet? Maybe it is time to eat like how your ancestors did for so many generations. If you are consuming total of more then 120 grams per day of carbohydrates (especially refined/processed carbs), you are eating a high carbohydrates diet. The goal here, is to consume a low sugar/carbohydrates, and adding healthy fats to your diet. Try to minimize as much commercial vegetables oils as possible (unless you want to develop heart disease or cancer) and those are primarily trans fats, but the cooking oil industry claimed that their products contain 'heart healthy' Omega 6 fats. Well, even most conventional dietitians and nutritionists advocate using commercial vegetable oils for cooking. 

From my honest point of view, we are better off without conventional dietitians and nutritionists, as plenty of the so called dietary advises given to the public are insanely absurb and causing more harm then good to our health. Unless you consult hollistic nutritionist, certified clinical nutritionist (CCN), naturopathic nutritionist, functional diagnostic nutritionist (FDN), naturopaths, and other similiar certified nutritionists, you are being mislead by these so call diet or nutrition experts. Most of the dieticians and nutritionists I spoke to, do not even know what they are talking about and appear to be clueless when I question them most nutritional related topics. It's sad, and what a disappointment for the profession and nation. 

If any of you obtained a degree of even masters in dietician, nutrition or nutritional science, whatever you studied in your previous course, a big chunk of important nutritional and dietary information have been filtered and misfed. This is also happening to the medical profession too. Reason? Well, in a nutshell, the courses you enrolled are primarily funded by either pharmaceutical companies or food industry. If you want to find out more truth to this claim, do your intensive homework and investigation. Sometimes the truth is not always pretty and it may turn out to be a bitter pill. 

Meanwhile, I've obtained 6 graphs (derived from medical and nutritional journals) from couple of websites regarding the war on saturated fats. Have a look, use some common sense and do your own tinkering. Embrace saturated fats and cholesterol, they are your friend, not your enemy. 

1. In Europe, The Countries That Eat The Most Saturated Fat Have The Lowest Risk of Heart Disease

Hoenselaar R. Further response from Hoenselaar. British Journal of Nutrition, 2012.

2. The Obesity Epidemic in The USA Started at Almost The Exact Same Time The Low-Fat Dietary Guidelines Were Published

National Center for Health Statistics (US). Health, United States, 2008: With Special Feature on the Health of Young Adults. Hyattsville (MD): National Center for Health Statistics (US); 2009 Mar. Chartbook.

3. Diets That Are High in Fat But Low in Carbohydrates Cause More Weight Loss Than Diets That Are Low in Fat

Brehm BJ, et al. A randomized trial comparing a very low carbohydrate diet and a calorie-restricted low fat diet on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors in healthy women. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2003.

4. The Diseases of Civilization Increased as Butter and Lard Were Replaced With Vegetable Oils and Trans Fats

Dr. Stephan Guyenet. The American Diet. 2012.

5. The Obesity Epidemic Started as People Reduced Their Intake of Red Meat and High-Fat Dairy products

Lifestyle in Women. The New England Journal of Medicine, 2000

6. In The Framingham Heart Study, Heart Disease Goes up as People Replace Heart-Healthy Butter With Toxic Margarine

Gillman MW, et al. Margarine intake and subsequent coronary heart disease in men. Epidemiology, 1997. Photo source: Whole Health Source.

Source links:
http://authoritynutrition.com/6-graphs-the-war-on-fat-was-a-mistake/
http://www.businessinsider.com/our-war-on-fat-was-a-huge-mistake-graphs-2013-11

Saturated fats and heart disease: new study busted long standing lipid hypothesis

It has been more then 60 years. Yes, that is how long we have been brain-washed by the conventional medical authorities on consumption of saturated fats. The long standing lipid hypothesis, also known as 'high cholesterol causes heart disease' insanity. All of us know that saturated fat is bad for us, our heart especially, because it raise cholesterol levels, and high cholesterol causes heart disease. This hypothesis, is the longest standing health scam ever in history of mankind. What can I say? It is a very popular yet a wealthy, profit making hypothesis. 

Few years back, USDA calls for recommedations to reduce saturated fats to merely 10% of total calories. A low fat diet, it is the opposite of what eskimos(inuit) are eating (70-90%) and they are the healthiest and happiest living population in the world. Heart disease, diabetes and cancer is virtually non existent to them. They ate lots of cholesterol loaded foods for generations. 

From the recent study, British Medical Journal2 titled: From the Heart, Saturated Fat is Not the Major Issue, it has busted the myth of saturated fats consumption causes heart disease. Well, if saturated fats and cholesterol are not the villain, then what is? The answer is carbohydrates, particularly sugars. Whoever has read my previous posts about sugars and heart disease, you will not be surprise of what you read right now. Although sugars and processed carbohydrates are not the only main culprit, bear in mind, transfat and stress are other critical components which contributes to heart disease and other health complications. In a nutshell, it's a STRESSOR to the body. Sugars and transfat causes inflammation (a form of stressor). More inflammation, more health problems! 

Just in case if you have not read the quote by Dr. William Castelli, in a 1992 editorial published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, Dr. William Castelli, a former director of the Framingham Heart study, stated:

"In Framingham, Mass., the more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol one ate, the more calories one ate, the lower the person’s serum cholesterol. The opposite of what… Keys et al would predict…We found that the people who ate the most cholesterol, ate the most saturated fat, ate the most calories, weighed the least and were the most physically active."


Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice (2011) - Read this properly!
In 2011, the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice published a ten-year study of more than 52,000 women. This study found that women with high levels of cholesterol — i.e. above 270 mg/dL — were 30% LESS likely to die from heart disease, a heart attack or stroke than women with a normal cholesterol level below 193 mg/dL.


Meanwhile, I've just recently listened to an audio interview by Dr. David Perlmutter about LDL and cholesterol. I remembered what he mentioned about LDL and cholesterol. Check this out.

"I was lecturing at the Denver Colorado, spent 4 hours with a group of doctors and got pulled off topic to discuss about LDL and cholesterol. When I asked the group of doctors during the lecture what is the other name of LDL? The whole audience answered, 'bad cholesterol'. Think about it. We are calling LDL bad cholesterol. This is a life sustaining protein that delivers life sustaining cholesterol to every cell in the body. This is what carries the molecule to the brain, heart, to every cell in our body. Cholesterol is so vitally important to our body. Without cholesterol, we would instantly die. Some marketing genius came out the idea of calling LDL as bad cholesterol, because then we have a drug to lower the LDL. The risk of Parkinson disease for example, is 350% increased, if he or she has the lowest LDL. 

LDL isn't bad, but when it is oxidised, that is clearly an issue. When it binds to sugars, it glycate and it dramatically increase inflammation, turns on the production of free radicals. Then you have all kinds of things happening. But LDL in itself is not bad, it is our friend, and we must embrace LDL and we must embrace cholesterol. "

World Renowned neurologist 

Photos from  http://www.drperlmutter.com/

As for those who is a diet fanatic, another study which proves that fat-protein high calorie based diet improve bio-markers of cardiovascular health and weight loss. You can read the nutritional journal from the link below. 

Spanish Ketogenic Mediterranean diet: a healthy cardiovascular diet for weight loss 

Reference:  http://www.nutritionj.com/content/7/1/30

Watch the videos link below: (Heart of the Matter)

                                                              http://vimeo.com/77730824

                                                              http://vimeo.com/78259209

One of the Framingham researcher's quote 

Statins @ cholesterol lowering drugs, is the most prescribed medication in USA. Lipitor is the best selling drug in history of conventional medicine.

As of today, there are more then enough of studies that linked between sugars and heart disease. This new study from British Medical Journal, has busted this absurd lipid hypothesis. The so called high cholesterol causes heart disease phobia has to stop, we are all been ripped off by pharmaceutical companies and conventional medical industry. Think of how our ancestors and great grandparents ate during their heart healthy lifespan, you will be guided by the dietary wisdom which is long lost and disconnected from the modern society, primarily consuming high carbohydrates and sugars diet. The saturated fats and cholesterol causes heart disease madness has to stop before it further ruin our health and future generations. 

Many Thanks:

Dr. Michael Eades

Dr. Johnny Bowden

Dr. Ernest Curtis

Dr. Stephen Sinatra

Gary Taubes

No Thanks:

Ancel Keys 

Pharmaceutical Companies

Conventional Medical Industry

Malaysia Dietary Guidelines - A 'genuine' quick review

A friend of mine sent me a link to review "Malaysian Dietary Guidelines". I thought of doing a favor and also share my personal review with you. Honestly, I have not seen and review Malaysian Dietary Guidelines for the last few years. Please bear in mind that I have nothing against conventional dieticians, nutritionists nor Malaysia Health Department. In this post, I will provide an honest genuine review based on my qualification, experience, knowledge and proven medical journals. 

First of all, let's all be honest here. Has anyone seen or review the 'Malaysian Dietary Guidelines'? How about American Dietary Guidelines? Notice any similarities? I will let you do the comparison and judge yourself. After years of dietary guidelines endorsed and promoted by the health department, what improvement is observed? I will not discuss about the statistics here, but I will let you do your own observation of the amount of overweight and obese people around you, in your own country. Easily walk in shopping malls or public areas, you will know what I'm trying to say.

Apart from USA, they have the most advanced technology in the world, yet, they suffer one of the worst health status amongst developed nations, and currently facing epidemic of obesity. My own country Malaysia, is not far behind, registered dieticians and nutritionists know about nutrition and diet more then ever, but why are we all still suffering from weight management, dieting dillemma, and poor disease statistics? Malaysia is one of the most overweight and diabetic country in ASIA.

Let's go back the clock and do a little tinkering for a minute here. Anyone great grandparent still alive today? How about your grandparents who is now almost 90 years old? During the old-fashioned days, before all the high tech gadgets and advance technology was invented and commercially use by all of us today, the disease rates and obesity is far far lower then year 2013. I'm talking about 60-70 years ago. If your grandma is now 85 years and still able to walk without the need of physical support, ask her what is her diet when she was young. Did she need any help or consultation from any dietician or nutritionist? The answer is NO. Does she has any personal trainer or coach? The answer is NO too. Does she requires any pharmaceutical drugs from doctors? The answer is most likely NO. I remembered my grandma told me about how her mother (my great grandmother) used to live her life, her diet, her lifestyle and the quality of health she obtained. It is the exact opposite lifestyle, diet and stress levels we are experiencing right now in the modern society. Those old age healthy folks who lived into their 80's and 90's, do not have know about calories in calories out. They do not know about the recommendation to participate in marathon, triathlon or doing chronic cardio exercises daily. But yet, they lived a quality, healthy life with good vitality and longevity. Heart disease and cancer is virtually non existent to our ancestors.

I think we all need to slow down the fast-paced lifestyle and think for a minute here. We need to use a chunk of common sense, and learn how our healthy ancestors evolved and lived their lives. It could be all the way back to hundreds and thousands of years ago. The question is, do we need to get dietary advises from dietician or nutritionist? Do we let them dictate our food intake and tell us what to eat? Look at what happened to most of us. We are fat, sick and weak.

Now, I have compiled some of the 'highlights' found in Malaysia Dietary Guidelines pdf file. Below are the screenshots which consist of food pyramid guide, recommended foods and servings guide, etc. Meanwhile, I've also provided a long list of references, medical and nutrition journals for any of you who are interested in how grains (especially wheat) contribute to obesity, health complications and diseases. 

Source: http://www.moh.gov.my/v/Makanan_Nutrisi 

This is the reason why we are all fat, sick and weak.

The recommendation of our foundation diet is grains and its processed products. Up to 8 servings per day? Wonder why almost everyone is having  GRAIN POT BELLY? 

Up to 75% of carbohydrates? People MUST realize that consuming high amount of carbohydrates will trigger insulin, and insulin is a fat storing hormone. We have been misfed and misled with wrong information to think that eating fat will make us all overweight and fat.  

Dr. Robert Lustig has proven that the law of thermodynamics is flawed, calories in calories out theory does not work as expected. It has been tested, and it does not work. Imagine if you need to burn off 500 calories a day (a burger), you are required to jog for more then 2-3 hours daily? That is ridiculous. 

Recommendation of eating biscuits, cream crackers, bread, white rice and putu mayang?? I'm utterly speechless. 

Having doughnuts, apom, soybean curd as part of meal plan? I'll leave the comments to you. 

References/Journals

W.K.Woo.et al., "Psoriasis Patients with Antibodies to Gliadin Can be Improved by a Gluten-Free Diet, "British Journal of Dermatology 151 (October 2004):(4):891-4, ww.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2004.06137.x

M.Hadjicassiliou, et al., "Gluten Sensitivity as a Neurological Illness, " Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 72 (2002): 560-3

M.Hadjicassiliou, et al., "Headache and CNS White Matter Abnormalities Associated with Gluten Sensitivity" Neurology 56 (2001): 386-8

A.Vojdani, et al., "Immune Response to Dietary Proteins, Gliadin and Cerebellar Peptides in Children with Autism," Nutritional Neuroscience 7 (3) (June 2004): 151-61

Attention Deficit Disorder Association, "Fact Sheet on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD), www.add.org/articles/factsheet.html (accessed November 24, 2005)

"health Topics: Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus," national Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services, www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/lupus/slehandout/ (accessed August 28, 2005)

M.Hadjicassiliou, et al., "Multiple Sclerosis and Occult Gluten Sensitivity," author reply, Nuerology 64(5) (march 8, 2005): 933-4

P.Collins, et al., "Endocrinological Disorders and Celiac Disease," Endocrine Reviews 23(4) (2002): 464-83

Peter Arkwright, et al., "Autoimmunity in Human Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases," Blood 99(8) (April 15, 2002): 2694-702

Kloting N, Fasshauer M, Dietrich A et al., Insulin sensitive obesity. Am I Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2010 Jun 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Matsuzawa Y. Establishment of a concept of visceral fat syndrome and discovery of adiponectin. Proc Ipn Acad Ser B Phys Biol Sci 2010;86(2):131-41

Verdu EF, Amstrong D, Murray JA. Between celiac disease and irritable bowel syndrome: the "no man's land" of gluten sensitivity. Am I Gastroenterol 2009 Jun;104(6):1587-94

Zhao X. 434-PP. Presented at the American Diabetes Association 70th Scientific Sessions' June 25, 2010

Westman EC, Vernon MC. Has carbohydrate-restriction been forgotten as a treatment for diabetes mellitus? A perspective on the ACCORD study design. Nutr Metab 2008;5:10

Volek JS, Phinney SD, Forsythe CE et al. Carbohydrate restriction has a more favorable impact on the metabolic syndrome than a low fat diet. Lipids 2009 Apr'44(4):297-309

Boden G, Sargrad K, Homko C et al. Effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on appetite, blood glucose levels and insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Ann Intern Med 2005;142:403-11

Negrean M, Stirban A, Stratmann B et al. Effects of low - and high-advanced glycation endproduct meals on macro- and microvascular endothelial function and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. AM I Clin Nutr 2007;85:1236-43

Sakai M, Oimomi M, Kasuga M, Experimental studies on the role of fructose in the development of diabetic complications. Kobe I med Sci 2002;48(5):125-36

Goldberg T, Cai W, Peppa M et al. Advanced glycoxidatiion end products in commonly consumed foods. Am I Diet Assoc 2004;104:1287-91

Hidgins LC. Effect of high-carbohydrate feeding on triglyceride and saturated fatty acid synthesis. Proc Soc Exp Biol med 2000;225:178-83

Hadjivassiliou M, Sanders DS, Grunewald RA et al. Gluten sensitivity: from gut to brain. Lancet 2010 march;9:318-30

Cordain L. Implications for the role of diet in acne. Semin Cutan Med Surg 2005 Jun;24(2):84-91

Books:

Bread Is the Devil: Win the Weight Loss Battle by Taking Control of Your Diet Demons by Heather Bauer and Kathy Matthews

Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health by William Davis (Aug 30, 2011)

Dangerous Grains: Why Gluten Cereal Grains May Be Hazardous To Your Health by James Braly, Ron Hoggan and Jonathan Wright (Aug 26, 2002)

The Gluten Connection: How Gluten Sensitivity May Be Sabotaging Your Health - And What You Can Do to Take Control... by Shari Lieberman and Linda Segall (Nov 28, 2006)

Going Against the Grain: How Reducing and Avoiding Grains Can Revitalize Your Health by Melissa Smith (Apr 19, 2002)

Healthier Without Wheat: A New Understanding of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance... by Stephen Wangen (Mar 1, 2009)

Cereal Killers: Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free A to Z by Dr. Ron Hoggan and Scott Adams (Jun 15, 2010)