http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/07/guest-blog-the-pros-of-portion-controlled-meal-replacements/ Diet Column - bringing you all the best diet news and opinions Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:57:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/07/guest-blog-the-pros-of-portion-controlled-meal-replacements/#comment-2919 Dr.A Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:35:52 +0000 http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/07/guest-blog-the-pros-of-portion-controlled-meal-replacements/#comment-2919 Dear Dr. Parker, Thanks for your insightful question. First , the average fuelings are more like 5 or 6 times a day if the person is sleeping the average 7 hours to support optimal health. Second I am advocating smaller healthy low glycemic meals to minimize cravings, turn off the insulin pump and resulting fat storage, and to introduce food loads that minimize the inflammatory state. Here are some of the other benefits of eating smallere more frequent fuelings: help you lose weight • control hunger • reduce blood insulin (a factor in fat storage and infl ammation) • lower total cholesterol levels • reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol • reduce levels of apolipoprotein b (the “very bad” stuff!) • depress glucose levels • increase bile acid secretion • suppress free fatty acids levels • reduce serum uric acid levels, a common risk factor for coronary heart disease • increase urinary uric acid excretion • reduce adipose tissue enzyme levels • reduce fluctuations in satiety (fullness) Also the thermic effect of food is higher if we eat smaller higher protien content meals more often. Although I agree some people when they are younger can go all day without eating and appear healthy the physiologic stress with cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine release probably isn't ideal over time. Also studies show that people that skip breakfast actually consume more calories and weigh more than people who eat breakfast. The national weight control registry has shown people who eat breakfast are more successful at maintaining their weight loss than those that skip meals. 67% of our population is overweight or obese, 70 million AMericans have hyperinsulinism and are putting their health at increased risk.Over the last 7 years I have helped thousands of people that have found smaller more frequent fuelings help them reach and maintain an healthy weight more easily. Symptomatic hypoglycemia is not that common but it also is helped by appyling these principles giving the body a more managable control of their glucose insulin response curve. Best, Dr.A http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/07/guest-blog-the-pros-of-portion-controlled-meal-replacements/#comment-2902 Steve Parker, M.D. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:32:09 +0000 http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/07/guest-blog-the-pros-of-portion-controlled-meal-replacements/#comment-2902 Could you explain why "it is crucial to eat every three hours..."? None of the nationally-recognized expert nutrition panels recommend such frequent eating. That's eight times a day. Many of us know people who routinely go 4, 5, 6, even 8 hours without eating, yet they seem happy and healthy. Be aware that symptomatic hypoglycemia is not nearly as common as is implied by Dr. Andersen. -Steve