<p>I went to an interesting discussion recently by an associate professor at Brown (Mary Flynn) on the benefits of olive oil. Here are some of her points:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Many of the imported olive oils sold are adulterated. She referred us to <a href=“http://www.truthinoliveoil.com”>www.truthinoliveoil.com</a>. She said you are safe buying an olive oil made in California; it will be pure olive oil. The higher the polyphenol content the better.</p></li>
<li><p>She recommends having 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil a day – I think she actually drinks the stuff, although she mostly cooks with it. She had quite the list of benefits of olive oil – including that it reduces the risk of several cancers and lowers blood pressure.</p></li>
<li><p>She’s a major proponent of using olive oil in cooking. She says (and this is one thing I’m not too sure about) that eating fat at meals decreases hunger between meals.</p></li>
<li><p>We eat too much protein. Excess protein becomes fat. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I just went to the truthinoliveoil site, and discovered Flynn has an entry there that outlines many of her points in greater detail and includes some recipes: <a href=“http://www.truthinoliveoil.com/2013/10/science-cooking-olive-oil”>www.truthinoliveoil.com/2013/10/science-cooking-olive-oil</a>. I think this site covers just about everything you’d want to know about olive oil.</p>
<p>Wow, she has it wrong! Excess carbs, not excess protein can become"fat" because fructose and maybe other sugars trigger lipogenesis (biosynthesis of fat in the body). Cell is a pretty reputable source:</p>
<p>I would like to see the references that support her conclusion. Intuitively, if what body builders eat is mostly protein, they would all turn into tubs of lard. Somehow, diets of chicken and green leaves keep them in shape (and 'roids take those shapes to extreme, but that is a different story).</p>
<p>I’m not sure about that one. I’ve never heard a metabolic process in the body described that converts protein into fat. The body primarily converts excess fructose (and alcohol and to a lesser extent glucose) into fat (triglycerides). Large servings of protein do raise insulin levels a bit, which signals the body to shunt triglycerides into fat cells for storage, in the same way that eating carbs releases insulin and promotes fat storage. However, protein takes a back seat to carbs for stimulating insulin secretion. Protein is the building block for lean muscle, which is why it’s important to get enough.</p>
<p>As a practical matter, almost nobody eats too much protein unless they are pounding protein shakes. I eat more protein than anybody I know and it’s virtually impossible for me to get “too much” – say more than 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight in a day. Most of us struggle more with getting sufficient protein – say half a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight a day – although you can live on far less or far more than that optimum range.</p>
<p>Flynn appears to be a proponent of vegetarian/vegan diets. That’s fine, but there’s scant evidence that better health results from a “plant-based” diet. Lack of protein is a common problem with such diets. I stop short of thinking that olive oil prevents any diseases. That’s an oversell, IMO. I think it has a more favorable OMEGA 3 to OMEGA 6 ratio than vegetable oils and there’s probably a benefit to that, but not cure-all benefit.</p>
<p>Everyone’s body is different, and scientific studies are varied in regards to some aspects of nutrition, so telling someone to go on a specific lifestyle or diet (Paleo, Vegan, or a fad, or anything) may not be helpful or healthy. I recommend starting out with a balanced healthy diet including lean meats, whole grains, fruits vegetables, naturally lowfat dairy, and plant-based oils. Cut down on sugar and sodium. Then you can adjust your diet based on your specific needs. </p>
<p>I just read through her writings on protein. She actually describes a fairly high protein diet for a typical day that includes 8 ounces of chicken, three whole eggs. plus an additional 60 grams of protein (if I recall) from grains and legumes. All told, she came up with 120 grams of protein for a typical day (on a plant-based diet with chicken and eggs!). I agree with her that 100 to 120 grams protein is fine (that’s what I aim for). I would bet that most of us (especially women) don’t get anywhere near that much on a consistent basis. In tracking my food for months at a time, I don’t often get over 100 grams a day.</p>
<p>I do agree with her that low-fat is not generally a great diet approach. The problem is that it’s a zero sum game between fat and carbs (it’s hard to increase protein). So, low fat means high carb and vice versa.</p>
<p>Lol, I think the pres was using Michelle’s hand weights maybe I need a pretty silver pair like that…</p>
<p>Thanks, idad, for the ratio. I’d actually already purchased the stuff, but the tiny print in the booklet listed a million different ratios for different application scenarios and I wasn’t sure which ratio would be good for treating clothes!</p>
<p>The product is an awesome find since I can use it for so many more applications…like my deck, that seems to be breeding them. So thanks for the tip. </p>
<p>When i was searching for your post, I came across a post from last year and realized by this time then i had switched to dreadmill-aquajogging because the Mosquitos were so bad they were constantly flying into my nose, mouth and ears up the hill.</p>
<p>In that sense, even just the Tilley hat and mosquito netting make a big difference this year, so I’d like to try to stick to the hill plus aquajogging this summer in the mornings. Mainly for the beauty, but also since mcson is moving into the poolhouse next month to work for the next several months/year to save up to join his gf in SF.</p>
<p>I’m sure he’d rather not awaken to the sound of me panting on the dreadmill every morning The first time he was home for a visit after I got the airdyne he awoke and came running into the room to see what was wrong and if I was alive (in that case, his concern may have been warranted.)</p>
<p>On olive oil…little known fact, but in addition to its other properties, many of which have been proven beneficial, the stuff when taken with lemon juice after a regime of apple cider vinegar will actually promote the passing of gallstones. I had managed to avoid surgery for a few years this way until (oops) the olive oil tried to pass a 2 cm stone that got stuck and caused a rather acute inflammation :)</p>
<p>LOL, idad – that video is making the news headlines; saw it on my Twitter feed this morning. The fact that this is what makes news is a whole other can of worms I won’t open …)</p>
<p>Cardio and weights this morning. And since it’s pouring rain, I’m doing my own version of the happy dance that I can’t go out to pull more weeds and wield that stupid cultivator. Yes, it means the agony of finishing the yard is just prolonged, but somehow that’s OK with me!</p>
<p>Planted squash in the rain–had to get it in today! Then went to the gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical and 40 minutes on the tread mill. Followed that with about 20 minutes of kettle bell work–two-handed swings, one-handed, get-ups, halos, and squats with the KB. </p>
<p>MomWC, the mch is nowhere near the paragon of active living you are these days, but there are elements to your respective characters I find you have in common…the historic desire to play squash with his lawyer pals being one of them ;)</p>
<p>Of course, if that motley crew hit the courts today, there’d better be someone standing by with a defibrillator ;)</p>
<p>Dreaded Airdyne intervals. 1/4 miles. Warm and muggy. These things are getting harder, but I punched the clock. Now, it’s off to whip up some Thai red curry salmon with snow peas, broccoli, and red bell pepper. Eating healthy is such a hardship… :)</p>
<p>Oh, idad. Some things (ahem, videos) cannot be unseen! And I’m not talking about yours.</p>
<p>I did one mostly running 3 mile segment this morning, and another 2 walking tonight. Very warm. </p>
<p>S2 requested a flank steak for dinner tonight, so we bought one and marinated it. H even pulled out the grill. It was delicious! I added a green salad with avocado, and some very boring and strangely textured Uncle Ben’s brown rice. We’re munching on frozen blueberries for dessert.</p>
<p>H pointed out that The Big Fat Surprise was written up in the Wall Street Journal today. </p>
<p>Heading out in a bit- it’s my general rule not to run in the heat of the day - it’s probably close to 80. But this is the time I have today, so I’ve told myself to make the best of it and am thinking ill treat myself to the somewhat"ease" of a run/walk/run adventure. We will see how I do!</p>
<p>Managed to knock off just under 3 miles in the mid day heat. Glad it’s done! Did stop for a mango tango smoothie on the way home to split with my daughter - hit the spot! A little gardening, a little grass cutting and looking forward to a simple dine out al fresco tonight to start the weekend.</p>
maybe I need a pretty silver pair like that…</p>
The first time he was home for a visit after I got the airdyne he awoke and came running into the room to see what was wrong and if I was alive