Alzheimers and “Severe Brain Degeneration” linked to excessive Carbohydrate Intake?

Today I read an interesting article on LiveScience.com titled “Obese People Have ‘Severe Brain Degeneration“. I couldn’t find the link to the actual UCLA study text (sorry – please let me know if you find it) it cites, but you’re likely to see many articles parroting the same basic info that the LiveScience.com one did. In fact, as of this writing, Google News reports that over 158 publications have published articles on this study so far today – with a helluva lot more coming I’m sure.

What really DOES surprise me is that no-one has really tried to draw any conclusions from this study…

Wednesday Question: What the funk do you DO all day, man?

Sorry, its been a day or so without a post – work has been brutal lately (at the day job). Anyways, we’re back on track with my weekly Wednesday question. So given that – I have a nice relevant question this week…What do YOU do for a living?

It could be a tax attorney, brick layer, lawyer, forensic anthropologist, shoe maker, burger flipper, mechanic or advertising executive. What ever it is – tell us! I love to know all the people out there who have risen above the seriously flawed nutritional environment of the day – and what they do in this world (if anything – we don’t judge)…

How to cook perfect fried eggs – EVERY single time

Eggs – they are possibly one of the most perfect low-carb foods that there is. They’re a great source of protein, healthy fats, and low in carbohydrates – and they also happen to be delicious! imagine that! Now, I don’t know about you, but years ago (before my low-carb journey started) Fried Eggs were right up there with Pancakes in the category of “Things Ryan will always ‘eff up while cooking”, and if I didn’t destroy it – it never really tasted quite right (READ: it tasted like ass).

So, in honor of my early to mid 20s stupidity, today I’m going to spread my knowledge so none of you ever have to eat horribly cooked fried eggs again…

Wednesday Question: What is your favorite low-carb website / blog / forum?

Its Wednesday once again, and I’ve got a really quick and easy one for you. There is a lot of stuff on the ole’ interwebs… some good, some bad, & some just plain stupid..
What is YOUR favorite low-carb / health blog (or forum, website, or other online resource)?

Don’t be afraid to come up some obscure ones, I’m always looking for more good sites out there to add to my “daily reading list”….

Another Worthless Study and Pointless Anti-Fat Article from the New York Times

Ah, yes, here we go again. Bad science reigns at The New York times ‘Well Blog’ this week by Tara Parker-Pope (technically, it was from last week, but I just discovered it on Slashdot). Its sad that the NYT was also the original publication where Gary Taubes published his brilliant ‘What if its all been a Big Fat Lie’ article (which is the exact opposite of what this article is trying to say).

I guess that’s some fair and unbiased journalism – we give credibility to all kinds of information: right, wrong or otherwise!

Anyways… into the rat maze we go again…

Taking Time to Lose – Weight Loss and Patience

I think one of the biggest stumbling blocks that we all face is the concept of time versus results. While a low-carb diet is probably one of the fastest and easiest ways to lose weight, eventually you will find yourself in the “steady loss” territory. I define “steady loss”, as, well… just that. A time when you are still LOSING weight – but no where near the speed at which you were during the first month or so. I’m talking a pound or two a week.

What can you do when you hit a your “steady loss” territory?

Fun Follow Friday: 5 Quality Low-Carb and Primal peeps to follow on Twitter

Happy Friday once again! I’m crossing the streams here with a bit of blog / twitter melding today. You’ve heard of this Twitter thing, I’m sure. All the “kids” are doing it these days – and its way more useful than just finding out what Lars Ulrich had for breakfast this morning.

Just for a change of pace this Friday, here’s 5 quick low-carb / primal / zero-carb people to add to your list – well, besides ME that is (tee hee). Have some to add to the mix? Well, you know the drill – drop us a line!

Wednesday Question: What turned you on to low-carb living & where did you first go for info?

Admittedly, that is a really long question – ok, you got me, its actually 2 similar questions merged together, but (like any annoying news reporter) I needed to get a follow up question in there.

Let’s break it down using my own personal answers as an example…

Basically, where did you first hear of low-carb (or zero-carb, Primal Blueprint, Atkins, carnivore, whatever your preferred “flavor” of) dieting?

Top Misconceptions about Low-Carb Diets: Atkin’s Death

Ok, let me re-phrase that – the fact that Dr. Atkins is dead is NOT the misconception. So, I hope you didn’t open this up hoping for an Atkins conspiracy theory about him retiring to Lake Tahoe with Elvis and Tupac. I’m sorry to report that he has passed. Thankfully, he has a whole team and corporation carrying on his message (and selling lots of “Atkins” branded food products to boot).

The misconception that I’m “aiming at” here is this one: “Atkins died of a heart attack, induced by following his own diet!”

Yes, yes, it would have been a nutritionist’s wet dream for a headline, however it is quite untrue.

Superior Athletic Performance – NO Carbs Required

The whole “high-carb diet is needed for proper training & sports performance” myth is one of the biggest misconceptions out there about. I hear it so much, that I usually don’t even bother to discuss it with people anymore. They’ve been so brainwashed by the “experts”, that they can’t even fathom that it might not be the only way (or even the “right” way).

Lets face it, we live in a world of “sugar-fueled sports”. So it shouldn’t be any surprise that most so-called “Sports drinks” are LOADED with the stuff.

I’m sure that everyone from marathon runners to bodybuilders would not hesitate to tell you that sugar and carbs are a “necessary part” of their training and recovery routine. The funny thing is, they’re dead wrong.