Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Dr. Sears' New Theory

Dr. Barry Sears, author of The Zone Diet has a book coming out in which he proposes a new theory on obesity.

"Rather than looking at obesity as a condition of sloth and gluttony, Dr. Sears shows it is much more productive to think of obesity as a form of cancer that is driven by silent inflammation. Furthermore, the epidemics of weight gain and diabetes in America are primarily caused because the genes in susceptible individuals are being activated by recent changes in the American diet. Once those genes are turned on, obesity and diabetes are the inevitable outcome. The cause of those genes being turned on is the rapid increase of arachidonic acid (i.e., toxic fat) in our bodies." (Full Story)

The theory may sound a bit far-fetched, but after recently learning that Alzheimer's Disease may actually be a form of diabetes of the brain, it doesn't seem so wacky after all. With many random diseases (heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer) turning out to be generating from the same cause (excess carbohydrate consumption), Dr. Sears may actually be on to something.

Once I get a copy of his book, I'll read in to it further and let you know what I think.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

arachidonic acid?? will this lead to people thinking we need to quit eating meat and bell peppers which are most known for having that??

Mayberryfan said...

Wow. Interesting theory. Sounds like he may be on to something. One thing is for certain, solid research on obesity is almost non-existant due to the researchers inherent bias when setting up studies. Of course, Taubes has already pointe this out :P

Anonymous said...

Sears seems to be bringin' up the rear as far as diet and the science of overweight and diabetes... Guess it has been hard to give up on his version of it -- or to edge his version closer to the science long since put out by the Drs Eades, Gary Taubes, and others.