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"Traditional cooking techniques inevitably form a gray band of overcooked meat around the outer edges of a steak. Sous vide, thanks to the gentle heat it uses, eliminates that gray band, producing a steak that's cooked just right from edge to edge. "

I sous vide, but would like to try this at some point. Food science is also cool!

Bart Kay, founder of the Nutrition Science Watchdog YouTube channel interviews Dr Paul Mason where they discuss suggestions that evidence contrary to official dietary guidelines has been hidden from public scrutiny, the role of ketogenic diets for athletic performance, coronavirus and more.

Two of my favourite doctors (the third being Dr Chaffee) chatting on the topic.

Title: Bart Kay interviews Paul Mason

"Bart Kay interviews Paul Mason":

• Insulin Resistance and COVID-19: Insulin resistance, often linked to processed foods and refined carbohydrates, is strongly associated with severe COVID-19 symptoms. It impairs the immune system's ability to respond to viral infections effectively.
• Cytokine Storm: Insulin-resistant individuals experience prolonged and elevated cytokine levels during COVID-19 infection, which can lead to severe inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
• Vaccine Development: Developing an effective vaccine against COVID-19 is uncertain, and it might be the first effective vaccine against a chronic virus in humans.
• Risk Factors: Hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and vitamin B12 deficiency are major risk factors for severe COVID-19 symptoms. These conditions share systemic inflammation and insulin resistance as common underlying factors.
• ACE2 Receptors: The virus binds to ACE2 receptors, which are more prevalent in diabetic states, potentially increasing the risk of severe infection.
• Immune System Impact: The virus can debilitate T lymphocytes, which are crucial for fighting viral infections, leading to a more severe infection.
• Heme Molecule Theory: There is a controversial theory that the virus attacks the heme molecule in red blood cells, but this theory lacks solid scientific evidence and biological plausibility.
• Economic Impact of Lockdowns: Prolonged lockdowns to flatten the curve may destroy the economy and livelihoods without necessarily reducing the total number of deaths from COVID-19.
• Herd Immunity: Achieving herd immunity, either through natural infection or vaccination, is the ultimate goal. Identifying and protecting the 15% of the population at higher risk could be a more targeted approach.
• Dietary Impact on Health: A low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet can significantly improve metabolic health and reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Processed foods and refined carbohydrates contribute to insulin resistance and inflammation.
• Fiber and Gut Health: High-fiber diets may not be beneficial for everyone, especially those with constipation. The microbiome's health is more influenced by overall diet quality rather than fiber intake alone.
• Athletic Performance on Low-Carb Diets: Athletes can perform at high levels on a low-carb, ketogenic diet, contrary to popular belief. Proper adaptation and electrolyte supplementation are crucial for optimal performance.
• Scientific Misinformation: There is a history of deliberate deception and omission of critical data in nutritional and medical research, particularly regarding the benefits of low-fat diets and the harms of high-carb diets.
• Cholesterol and Infections: Lower cholesterol levels are associated with a higher risk of dying from infections, suggesting that cholesterol-lowering drugs might not be beneficial during infectious diseases.
• Statins and Health Risks: Statins, particularly potent ones, have been linked to increased mortality and other health risks. The original research on statins was flawed, and their safety and efficacy are questionable.
• Fiber and Constipation: High-fiber diets can worsen symptoms of constipation, while a low-fiber diet can lead to complete resolution of symptoms in some individuals.
• Microbiome and Diet: The microbiome's composition is more influenced by overall diet quality rather than specific foods like fiber. Probiotics are only effective if continuously consumed and paired with appropriate dietary changes.
• Carbohydrates and Athletic Performance: The belief that carbohydrates are essential for high-level athletic performance is based on flawed studies. Athletes can perform well on a low-carb diet with proper adaptation and supplementation.
• Historical Diet Studies: Historical studies on the benefits of low-fat diets were flawed and delayed in publication, often omitting critical findings that contradicted the prevailing narrative.
• Academic Dishonesty: There is a pattern of academic dishonesty in nutritional research, where critical findings are omitted or delayed to support a particular narrative, such as the benefits of low-fat diets.
• Doctors as Victims: Doctors are often victims of misinformation and are taught flawed nutritional advice, which they then pass on to their patients.

Nina Teicholz is a New York Times bestselling investigative science journalist who has played a pivotal role in challenging the conventional wisdom on dietary fat. Her groundbreaking work, 'The Big Fat Surprise', which The Economist named as the #1 science book of 2014, has led to a profound rethinking on whether we have been wrong to think that fat, including saturated fat, causes disease.

Nina continues to explore the political, institutional, and industry forces that prevent better thinking on issues related to nutrition and science. She has been published in the New York Times, the New Yorker, the British Medical Journal, Gourmet, the Los Angeles Times and many other outlets.

• Nina Teicholz's Background: Teicholz is an investigative journalist and author of "The Big Fat Surprise," which challenges conventional wisdom about dietary fats, particularly saturated fats. She is also a founder of the Nutrition Coalition, advocating for evidence-based nutrition policies.
• Historical Context of Dietary Fat Guidelines: The belief that saturated fats and dietary cholesterol cause heart disease originated from Ancel Keys' diet-heart hypothesis in the 1950s. This hypothesis gained traction despite limited evidence and became widely accepted, influencing dietary guidelines for decades.
• Scientific Evidence: Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical trials have found no support for the diet-heart hypothesis. The data do not show that saturated fats cause heart disease, leading to a shift in scientific understanding.
• Influence of Industry and Politics: The vegetable oil industry, pharmaceutical interests, and political agendas have resisted changes to dietary guidelines. These groups have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, making it difficult to implement new scientific findings.
• Health Impacts of Vegetable Oils: Vegetable oils, originally used for industrial purposes, were marketed as healthy alternatives to saturated fats. However, they are highly unstable and prone to oxidation, which can lead to inflammation and other health issues, including cancer.
• Clinical Trials and Outcomes: Large clinical trials from the 1960s and 1970s, which were initially interpreted to support the diet-heart hypothesis, have been re-examined and found to be flawed. Many of these studies did not show the expected benefits of replacing saturated fats with vegetable oils.
• Nutrition Guidelines and Policy: The U.S. dietary guidelines have not included crucial evidence from large clinical trials. The process of creating these guidelines is influenced by various interests, leading to recommendations that may not be fully supported by science.
• Vegan and Plant-Based Diets: The evidence for the health benefits of vegan and plant-based diets is limited and often based on weak forms of evidence, such as population studies and observational data. Clinical trials supporting these diets are scarce and often flawed.
• Blue Zones and Long-Lived Populations: The Blue Zones, often cited as examples of long-lived populations with plant-based diets, are not unique. Other long-lived populations have diverse diets, and the specific contributions of diet to longevity in these regions are not well understood.
• Personal Health and Diet: Teicholz emphasizes the importance of individual health and dietary choices. She follows a low-carb diet, which has improved her health, but acknowledges that perfection is not necessary. She advocates for a balanced approach that prioritizes nutrient-dense foods.
• Future of Nutrition Science: There is hope for a paradigm shift in nutrition science, with growing research supporting low-carb and high-fat diets. However, political and financial interests continue to pose challenges to widespread acceptance and implementation of these findings.

I've edited the title because the original is clickbait, and in the spirit of this community I'd like to avoid all forms of engagement farming.

• Plants and Evolutionary Arms Race: Plants and animals are in an evolutionary arms race, with plants becoming more poisonous to deter animals from eating them, while animals adapt to specific plant poisons.
• Natural Carcinogens in Plants: Over 20 years ago, it was known that many plants contain numerous natural carcinogens, with some vegetables like Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, spinach, and kale containing over 100 known human carcinogens.
• Natural vs. Industrial Pesticides: A study found that naturally occurring pesticides in plants are far more abundant and more likely to cause cancer than industrial pesticides.
• Lectins and Their Harm: Lectins, carbohydrate-based proteins found in most plants, can cause significant harm by binding to insulin receptors, leading to weight gain, leptin resistance, and other health issues.
• Gluten and Leaky Gut: Gluten can cause leaky gut, allowing harmful substances like lectins to enter the body and cause inflammation and other health problems.
• Molecular Mimicry and Autoimmunity: Lectins can trigger molecular mimicry, leading to autoimmune diseases where the body attacks its own tissues.
• Nightshades and Toxins: Nightshade plants like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants produce solanine, a deadly poison. Improper storage or preparation can lead to poisoning.
• Cyanogenic Foods: Some plants, like cassava and almonds, contain cyanide, which can be deadly if not properly prepared or consumed in large quantities.
• Photosensitizers: Certain plants can make the skin more sensitive to light, leading to severe burns and other health issues.
• Nutrient Blockers: Plants contain compounds that can block the absorption of nutrients, making plant-based proteins and other nutrients less bioavailable than those from animal sources.
• Benefits of a Carnivore Diet: Dr. Chaffee and others have experienced significant health improvements, including weight loss, reduced inflammation, and reversal of autoimmune diseases, by adopting a carnivore diet and eliminating plants.
• Importance of Trying a Carnivore Diet: Dr. Chaffee encourages everyone to try a strict carnivore diet for at least a month to experience the benefits and decide if it's the right way of eating for them.

From the abstract:

Specifically, grounding an organism produces measurable differences in the concentrations of white blood cells, cytokines, and other molecules involved in the inflammatory response. We present several hypotheses to explain observed effects, based on current research results and our understanding of the electronic aspects of cell and tissue physiology, cell biology, biophysics, and biochemistry. An experimental injury to muscles, known as delayed onset muscle soreness, has been used to monitor the immune response under grounded versus ungrounded conditions. Grounding reduces pain and alters the numbers of circulating neutrophils and lymphocytes, and also affects various circulating chemical factors related to inflammation.

The video is an interview with Sally K. Norton, an expert on oxalates and their impact on health. Norton discusses the basics of oxalates, their sources, and the potential health issues they can cause, including kidney stones, arthritis, and mitochondrial damage. She highlights high-oxalate foods like spinach, nuts, and sweet potatoes, and explains that a low-oxalate diet can help alleviate symptoms. Norton also addresses common misconceptions, such as the belief that certain bacteria can heal the gut and eliminate oxalate issues.

Conclusion:

We confirm from the review of the literature on epidemiological data, meta-analysis, and clinical interventions where dietary cholesterol challenges were utilized that there is not a direct correlation between cholesterol intake and blood cholesterol. This lack of correlation is mainly due to the compensatory mechanisms exerted by the organism to manage excess dietary cholesterol, including decreases in cholesterol absorption and down-regulation of cholesterol synthesis. A great number of epidemiological studies and meta-analysis indicate that dietary cholesterol is not associated with CVD risk nor with elevated plasma cholesterol concentrations. Clinical interventions in the last 20 years demonstrate that challenges with dietary cholesterol do not increase the biomarkers associated with heart disease risk. Further, in the specific circumstances where eggs are the source of dietary cholesterol, an improvement in dyslipidemias is observed due to the formation of less atherogenic lipoproteins and changes in HDL associated with a more efficient reverse cholesterol transport. However, if the cholesterol sources are consumed with saturated and trans fats, as happens in the Western diet pattern, increases in plasma cholesterol may be observed. The most recent epidemiological data and clinical interventions for the most part continue to support the USDA 2015 dietary guidelines that removed the upper limit of dietary cholesterol.

The document reviews the relationship between dietary and blood cholesterol, highlighting that recent epidemiological studies and clinical interventions have found no direct correlation between the two. It notes that outdated dietary guidelines limited cholesterol intake to 300 mg/day, but newer research suggests that dietary cholesterol does not significantly impact blood cholesterol levels.

The review discusses how dietary cholesterol from eggs does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and may even have beneficial effects on plasma lipoprotein subfractions and HDL cholesterol. It also mentions that the body has mechanisms to manage excess dietary cholesterol, such as decreased absorption and down-regulation of cholesterol synthesis.

The document concludes that current evidence supports the removal of upper limits on dietary cholesterol, as recommended by the 2015 USDA dietary guidelines.