Tailor made diets

If you have read The Enzyme Factor by Hiromi Shinya, MD you will understand the importance of enzymes.  If you haven't read it, I suggest you do - as soon as possible!  However, a new gene could hold the answer as to why some people are naturally slimmer than others - especially when it comes to eating carbs.

Researchers have found that a gene that makes a carb-busting compound has a huge influence on weight.  The official name of this gene is AMY1 also nicknamed the Atkins Gene.  This gene makesan enzyme that is found in saliva and begins the breakdown of starchy foods like chips, french fries, rice and pasta to aid with digestion.

The study has shown that people who have more copies of the gene made more of the enzyme and were more likely to be naturally slim.  Normally genes are thought of in pairs, some people will only have one copy of a gene, others will have two, three or even more.  In the case of the AMY1 gene, up to 20 copies are possible.

It is thought that people with fewer copies of the AMY1 gene will probably find it more difficult to
digest carbohydrates - and therefore, will be more likely to put on weight reports the journal Nature Genetics.

Researchers from King's College London and Imperial College London, said that in the future, dietary advice may have to be tailored to a person's digestive system.

Professor Tim Spector, the study's joint lead author, said:

"These findings are very exciting.  The next step is to find out more about the activity of this digestive enzyme and whether this might prove a useful marker or target for the treatment of obesity.

"In the future, a simple blood or saliva test might be used to measure levels of key enzymes such as amylase in the body and therefore shape dietary advice for both overweight and underweight people.

"Treatments are a long way away but this is an important step in realizing that all of us digest and metabolize food differently - and we can move away from 'one-size fits all' diets to more personalized approaches."

Well, where as I find this very encouraging, I, and several others, have been using tailored diets for years.  As Professor Time Spector says, we don't all digest and metabolize the same foods in the same way.  Food intolerances are proof of this, where as an apple might be a healthy food for one person, someone else may have an intolerance to apples meaning this fruit isn't a healthy option for that person.

Food Intolerances (NOT allergies), are often sneered at by the medical profession, but having had extensive experience in this field I am convinced that they play a huge part in a person's health, weight and general well being.

Food intolerances produce inflammation throughout the digestive tract which stops your body digesting essential nutrients, they provoke gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, headaches, weight gain, impossibility to lose weight, and a long list of other ailments which aren't considered illnesses - just annoying.  And it isn't just the usual culprits such as; nuts or gluten, a person can have an intolerance to broccoli or strawberries or even beef - it really does depend on each individual.

A simple food intolerance blood test can determine which foods you are intolerant to.  The rest is easy, eliminating those foods from your diet and incorporating a diet specific to your body and your needs results in:

• Easy weight loss which is easy to maintain
• All digestive issues disappear (gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc)
• Better sleep
• More energy
• Headaches disappear

In my experience, I have yet to find a better way to help someone reach optimum health.  It really does work.

Social Nutrition:
You can make an appointment to improve your health with Social Nutrition either in person (Madrid) or online (Skype).  Just send an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com