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Runners: To Carb Load or Not to Carb Load

Eating a giant bowl of spaghetti, three bagels and a couple of baked potatoes right before a big event is actually hurting your athletic performance. According to Dr. Sears, the idea that you should load up on carbohydrates the night before a race is a myth.

Eating a giant bowl of spaghetti, three bagels and a couple of baked potatoes right before a big event is actually hurting your athletic performance. According to Dr. Sears, the idea that you should load up on carbohydrates the night before a race is a myth.

Mary Perry talks about what inspired her to train for three marathons and conveys training nutrition best practices, while sharing Dr. Sears' expertise on the concept of carb loading for athletes.

My first job in Boston was located at about the 24-mile mark on the Boston Marathon route, not far from the Citgo sign at Fenway. In April, during the big race, my coworkers and I would take some time to go and stand on the sidelines looking for names on t-shirts, or something to identify individuals, so we could cheer them on as they went on to complete the last 2.2 miles.

Watching all of these runners with various levels of athleticism, spanning the ages of 20-70+, running either for charity or because they had qualifying times was absolutely inspiring. I saw that with the appropriate training, fueling, and determination that they didn’t have to be born runners to do this. This became my motivation to train and complete three marathons myself.

What I learned about performance nutrition during my training

It can be an individual journey involving a lot of trial and error to figure out what your body needs, when it needs it, and how to stay adequately hydrated, especially when Mother Nature is involved. I remember during my first marathon I was shocked to see that my weight was creeping up during my training instead of going down despite my activity level.

Looking back, it was a combination of not being as active on the days I trained due to soreness and fatigue, relying heavily on carbohydrates, and thinking I needed more calories than I actually did for all this activity. I began training for my second marathon shortly after starting my job at Zone Labs. Although at that point, I didn’t know what I know today, that even simple changes like decreasing carbohydrates and bumping up protein helped me to train smarter.

Despite having an injury and having to spend the last two months doing non-running activities, I was able to get through my second marathon without gaining weight and optimizing how I fueled. Although I’ll never see a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon, I was able to shave 27 minutes off my first marathon, which was my personal best.

With more and more individuals taking part in endurance events, whether they participate in marathons, triathlons, or the Ironman, there is a lot of advice out there from coaches, the internet, and apps on how people should train and fuel their bodies in order to successfully complete these races. Yet, an internet search may not be the best way to learn about good training nutrition.

Carbs are good, but must be balanced

According to Dr. Barry Sears,  carbohydrates play an important role in athletic performance, but their over-consumption limits our body’s ability to use fat as an energy source. Fat should be considered “high-octane” fuel as you can generate far more energy (i.e. ATP production) from a gram of fat compared to a gram of carbohydrate. To maximize energy production, you want the enzymes in the mitochondria (the site in the cell that produces ATP) to have the maximum ability to burn both fat and carbohydrates. Being able to switch between carbohydrates and fats as an energy source is called “metabolic flexibility.” You can increase or decrease your metabolic flexibility with the composition of your diet.

Depending on the balance of carbohydrates and fat in the diet, the mitochondria will adapt their enzyme composition to maximize energy production based on which fuel it is able to access. If you are eating a high-carbohydrate diet, the mitochondria adapt by making more of the carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes and less of the fat-metabolizing enzymes. The end result is that you are stuck using glucose, which is, for an athlete, the equivalent of putting low octane fuel into a Maserati. The results are much better using fat or high-octane fuel. So if you want the greatest metabolic flexibility your diet should consist of relatively equal intakes of both carbohydrates and fat.

Balancing your hormones play a role in sports nutrition

Dr. Sears further believes the balance of the hormones insulin and glucagon play a role in good sports nutrition. If you are eating a high-carbohydrate, low-protein diet, your blood sugar levels will constantly rise and fall. Carbohydrates stimulate insulin secretion which drives down blood sugar levels, whereas protein stimulates glucagon secretion which increases your blood sugar levels. You need a balance of the two so that blood sugar levels remain stable. This is why as an endurance athlete you have to work to balance your blood sugar levels at each and every meal as well as maintain metabolic flexibility. It may sound difficult, but it’s pretty easy.

How to get into the performance Zone

To maximize performance, a good diet leading up to race day is one that contains about equal levels of carbohydrate, protein, and fat on a caloric basis. The ideal diet is the Zone Diet™ because it is based upon your protein requirements, and from that knowledge you can automatically generate the amount of carbohydrate and fat you need for metabolic flexibility as well as maintain stable blood glucose levels.

Your diet should be comprised of colorful vegetables and fruits, adequate amounts of lean protein to maintain muscle mass, and enough good fats like those found in olive oil, nuts and seeds to displace omega-6 and saturated fats known to cause inflammation. Eating like this will give your body the metabolic flexibility it needs to convert whatever fuel you use on race day into the energy you need to compete at your highest level.

By following The Zone Diet, and including Zone PastaRx in your diet instead of your old carb loading, you will develop a powerful advantage over your competitors.{{cta('daffa570-1055-4766-af51-e09d66a17e47')}}

 

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062524---Keto-Blog

Ketogenic Diets and Aging

Chances are, you or someone you know has tried the keto diet at some point in time. This high-fat, very low-carbohydrate eating plan appeals to many due to its promise of rapid weight loss. In this blog, Dr. Sears explores some of the latest scientific findings on ketogenic diets and provides caution before hopping on this trend. What is a Ketogenic Diet? The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, very low-carbohydrate eating plan. This significant reduction in carbohydrates to induce a metabolic state is called ketosis. This only occurs when there is not enough carbohydrates in your liver to completely convert fatty acids to carbon dioxide and water. The normal conversion generates the chemical energy (ATP) that keeps us alive. In the absence of ketosis, each fatty acid generates 108 molecules of ATP when oxidized in the mitochondria. Ketone bodies make less ATP when they are metabolized by mitochondria. How much less? About five times less. This is like switching the gasoline in your car from high-octane fuel to low octane fuel as ketone bodies increase in the blood. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, ketones are not an ideal energy source for the brain, as glucose remains the preferred fuel for ATP production in brain cells. Lack of blood glucose is a highly stressful situation for the brain. This is why the body secretes the stress hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands during ketosis to breakdown protein and convert the amino acids into glucose for the brain. This explains why even under complete starvation for 38 days, the blood glucose levels never dropped below 68 mg/dL. This is still considered as a normal blood sugar level. Where did this blood glucose come from if there was none in the diet for 38 days? The answer is neo-glucogenesis primarily using lean body mass. Ketogenic Diets Pros and Cons Interest in ketogenic diets rises and falls about every 20 years. They’re very low-carbohydrate diets that claim that carbohydrates make you fat and keep you fat. This is simply not true. It is not carbohydrates per se but a disrupted metabolism that makes you fat. To be more specific, it is the inhibition of AMPK, the master regulator of your metabolism that makes you fat. Why? As AMPK activity increases, you burn stored fat faster. Frankly, I’ve always been amazed by the re-emergence of ketogenic diets. Eighteen years ago, I published the premier clinical study demonstrating that, under equal calorie intake in which all the food was provided to the subjects for six weeks, the Zone Diet was better than a ketogenic diet in reducing total weight, excess body fat, and inflammation. Now, a recent study revealed some more very concerning findings about the long-term effects of ketogenic diets. This new study indicated that following a keto diet causes a rise in senescent cells, popularly known as “zombie cells.” Zombie Cells are damaged cells that no longer divide but don't die. That’s bad enough, but zombie cells continue spreading inflammation throughout the body. As the number of zombie cells increases in your body, they become a living nightmare. Why? Zombie cells accelerate aging because they cause the earlier development of many chronic diseases. In this study they found that zombie cells in the animals began to appear while they were on a ketogenic diet. The zombie cells then disappeared when researchers changed the diet to a “non-ketogenic diet” (i.e., the Zone diet). And when the animals were given a Keto diet again, the zombie cells reappeared. Notice a trend? If you want to hear more about this study you can listen to our recent podcast at Dr.Sears.com. Based on earlier blogs, this adds to the list of downsides for following a ketogenic diet versus the Zone Diet. PROS Rapid initial weight loss: This is primarily due to the loss of retained water from the glycogen stores in the liver, which is rapidly used up to maintain blood sugar levels. Since these glycogen stores in the liver contain significant levels of retained water, much of the initial weight loss is water rather than stored body fat. If your main goal is loss retained water, this can be seen as a benefit. Of course, going to a sauna would also work. Reduced hunger: Ketogenic diets are rich in protein. Any increase in protein intake can help reduce hunger. CONS Production of acetone: One of the ketone bodies produced during ketosis is acetone, which is also the main chemical in nail polish. Increased calcium loss: A ketogenic diet can lead to higher calcium loss from bones. Limited fat utilization: High levels of dietary fat reduce the likelihood of using stored body fat for energy unless you also significantly restrict calories. Reduced energy levels: The lack of ATP production on a ketogenic diet can lead to easier fatigue during mild exercise. Damage from cheat meals: After seven days on a keto diet, a single high-carb cheat meal can damage blood vessels. Lack of polyphenols: This makes it difficult to activate genes that optimize metabolism by improving mitochondrial efficiency in converting fat into ATP. No long-term weight loss advantage: Long-term studies show no difference in weight loss between a ketogenic diet and a low-fat, high-carb diet. No short-term metabolic advantage: Careful studies demonstrate that fat loss on a ketogenic diet is the same as on a low-fat, high-carb diet with the same caloric intake. Compromised gut health: A lack of fermentable fiber from carbohydrates can lead to poor gut health and an increased risk of developing a leaky gut, which can cause significant inflammation. Furthermore, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are the metabolic product of fermentable fiber. These SCFA are powerful epigenetic signaling agents that enhance gene transcription. Ketosis generates a different type of hydroxylated short fatty acid (3-hydroxyl butyrate, that has no effect on gene transcription. In addition, the lack of SCFA has significant negative consequences on the gut-brain axis. Cortisol build-up: To produce glucose for the brain, cortisol levels increase to breakdown protein to make sufficient glucose via neoglucogenesis. Excess cortisol can lead to insulin resistance that cause regain of some of initially loss body fat. In addition, increased cortisol levels cause a depressed immune system as well as destruction of memory cells in the hippocampus. The initial benefits of following the ketogenic diet result in some initial weight loss (primarily water weight rather than fat loss), long-term studies show no significant differences in overall weight loss. Now new findings show a ketogenic diet may lead to significant adverse health consequences by accelerating the formation of zombie cells. Call me crazy, but I feel the key to longevity and wellness comes down to better metabolic control instead of living in a constant state of ketosis. Following Metabolic Engineering® for a lifetime provides that pathway of losing body fat without ketosis. References 1. Johnston CS, Tjonn SL, Swan PD, White A, Hutchins H, and Sears B. “Ketogenic low-carbohydrate diets have no metabolic advantage over nonketogenic low-carbohydrate diets.” Am J Clin Nutr 2006 83:1055-61. 2. White AM, Johnston CS, Swan PD, Tjonn SL, and Sears B. “Blood ketones are directly related to fatigue and perceived effort during exercise in overweight adults adhering to low-carbohydrate diets for weight loss: a pilot study.” J Am Diet Assoc. 2007 107:1792-1796. 3. Sung-Jen Wei, Joseph R Schell, E Sandra Chocron, Mahboubeh Varmazyad, Guogang Xu, Wan Hsi Chen, Gloria M Martinez, Felix F Dong, Prethish Sreenivas, Rolando Trevino Jr , Haiyan Jiang, Yan Du, Afaf Saliba, Wei Qian, Brandon Lorenzana, Alia Nazarullah, Jenny Chang, Kumar Sharma, Erin Munkácsy, Nobuo Horikoshi, David Gius. Ketogenic diet induces p53-dependent cellular senescence in multiple organs. Sci Adv. 2024 May 17;10(20):eado1463. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1463. 4. Owen OE, Felig P, Morgan AP, Wahren J, Cahill GF Jr. Liver and kidney metabolism during prolonged starvation. J Clin Invest. 1969 Mar;48(3):574-83. doi: 10.1172/JCI106016. 5. Chriett, S., Dąbek, A., Wojtala, M. et al. Prominent action of butyrate over β-hydroxybutyrate as histone deacetylase inhibitor, transcriptional modulator and anti-inflammatory molecule. Sci Rep 9, 742 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36941-9. 6. Silva YP, Bernardi A, Frozza RL. The Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids From Gut Microbiota in Gut-Brain Communication. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020 Jan 31;11:25. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00025. 

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050824---Tofu-Blog

Tofu: Tips and Recipes Ideas

I have been eating tofu for a very long time, much longer than the 30 or so years I have been following the Zone Diet. Back then many of my favorite recipes came from the Tassajara cookbooks by Edward Espe Brown, the celebrated chef from the kitchen at California’s famous Zen Mountain Center, and cookbooks by Louise Hagler, a.k.a. Wendy Louise, a well-known authority on vegetarian cooking who is associated with a community in Tennessee known as The Farm. Those books are still among the best resources for tofu recipes. My mantra has always been if you don’t like something, don’t eat it. Keep this in mind if you’re new to tofu, start slowly by combining it with flavors and foods you like.    Tips and Suggestions    Firm-sprouted tofu is my preference for the Zone Diet. Unlike traditional tofu, which contains significant amounts of both protein and carbohydrate, sprouted has almost no carbohydrates. It’s lighter tasting, refreshing, and very filling.   Freezing tofu results in a chewy, sponge-like texture. I don’t recommend freezing, but some people prefer it when using tofu to substitute for meat in a recipe.    Baked tofu comes in a variety of flavors and makes an excellent quick meal with some vegetables and fruit added. It’s also great in salads.     Tofu made it into the book “The Top 100 Zone Foods” by Barry Sears.    Some recipes call for draining the tofu first. I find that usually isn’t necessary.   Tofu takes on the flavor of whatever is added to it.    Add nutritional yeast flakes to give a cheesy flavor to vegan tofu scrambles and dips. It’s also rich in protein and vitamin B12.   Cherry Vanilla Tofu “Ice Cream”   Tip: This doesn’t freeze or store well, so prepare only the amount you plan to serve immediately.   Using an immersion blender or a food processor blend equal parts of frozen dark cherries and firm tofu, plus some vanilla extract (preferably alcohol-free for best flavor). Serve immediately.  Tofu Scramble  This is great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and we’ve even brought it on long day hikes for a snack.   Crumble some firm tofu and stir in a generous amount of seasonings, taking care not to overdo it with the salt. Heat in a well-seasoned or nonstick skillet with a little Zone-friendly oil to the desired doneness.    Optional: If time allows, sauté some chopped onion in the skillet before adding the tofu and seasonings.    My favorite seasoning combination for this dish at my house is onion powder, garlic powder, turmeric, paprika, some oregano or thyme, nutritional yeast flakes, salt, and ground black pepper. The yellow color of the turmeric makes it somewhat like scrambled eggs.   Tofu Veggie Almond Pasta Salad   Dressing: Thin some smooth almond butter by stirring in some water, a little vinegar, and either soy sauce or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (an unfermented soy sauce found in the health food section of most grocery stores).    Toss together cooked Dr. Sears’ Zone PastaRx Fusilli, tofu cut into cubes, matchstick cut red bell pepper, chopped green parts of scallions (a.k.a. green onions), and the almond butter dressing. Serve immediately or chill to serve later. It will keep well in the fridge for two or three days.   Use your imagination and see what you can come up with.  Experiment and have fun with it. Try using tofu to make cheesecakes, whipped desserts, tofu chocolate pudding, tofu “cream” based soups, tofu pot pie (think chicken pot pie), tofu burgers, tofu burritos, Buffalo tofu (like Buffalo wings), layered Mediterranean dips, tofu “meatballs”, grilled tofu, and more.    Enjoy! 

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