The drug Rimonabant (sold as Acomplia) has now been approved by the UK authorities for use in reducing obesity. This means that a whole new bunch of overweight people can swap being overweight for a 1 in 10 chance of developing low mood and depression, anxiety, irritability, nervousness and sleep disorders.
I don’t preach at individuals who can’t lose weight; life is tricky. But government and doctors ought to know better how to deal with weight loss. That they don’t is indicated by the waistline of many of those doctors and government ministers.
It’s Starch Stupid
If they studied the ample evidence for about 20 minutes, this would show that starch (potatoes, bread, rice, pasta) produces an overweight condition and not fat.
This may be counter-intuitive, but it’s true.
In which case, fat blocking drugs will not be as effective for 99% of people as cutting potatoes, bread, rice, pasta from the diet.
You can check the evidence easily yourself on the Internet. This is why Metabolic Syndrome is on the climb; it is why diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions; it is why obesity is rocketing in the US, now followed closely by the UK.
In 20 years everyone will accept the fallacy of the “eating fat makes you fat” argument. Since the view was first aired in the USA in the early 80s, it has become so enshrouded in folk lore such that most doctors, journalists, and thus normal humans believe it with a passion. However, it’s just not true.
Surely, cut right down on saturated fats and trans fats which are bad for you; but, in general, it’s starch which makes you fat, not fat.
A Diet For Obesity
So, if you want to lose weight, don’t hit the drugs. So this:
Breakfast: try berries and sugar-free yoghurt.
Lunch and Dinner: (lean) protein and salad, or protein and (non starchy) vegetables. No potatoes, pasta, rice or bread.
Mid-mornning/afternoon Snacks: carrot sticks or celery dipped into humus or tahini; or apple wedges dipped into peanut butter.
Cutting out the starch feels weird; but you will very soon get used to it.
Do this for 2 months and, if you are in the 90% of people who do not need professional help, the weight will start to drop off. If you have other health issues, then you will need help from a nutritionist, for example.
Remember it is what you do 90% of the time that makes the difference; don’t sweat if you stray a little occasionally. And if you fall of the wagon altogether, just start again; no guilt, now.
Take control of your own health and your own destiny; and let me know what happens. And leave the fat-blocking drugs (and their side-effects) where they belong – in the pharmacy.
