Random health and exercise thoughts

[joshuadowen]

actually - I believed that, too. there was an interesting article with an archeologist in the nytimes last month, I posted a link in the paleo thead. this guy specialises in the development of prehumans and early humans, and, what do you know? their diet was heavily based on grass which means, grains. so the whole paleo no grains thing isn't that clear cut.

I read that article too. The article claim wasn't quite what the research showed. I love the Times, but in general, their health and fitness reporting is TERRIBLE. If you look at the study they were talking about there, it showed that early humans made flour out of ferns and other plants, and used this to make basic fry-breads. These were plant starches, but not grains in a true sense. This would have been much more like a potato flour than wheat or corn.

 

[speedy4500]

I've been decreasing my grain intake. Replacing with potato chips, candy, and ice cream.

Seriously.

And I feel better now, much less lethargic. I dunno what sort of bro-science could justify it..... although, I have found several sources that show chips, candy, and full-fat ice cream have lower GI than most breads or grain-based foods. But I doubt that has anything to do with it.

 

[indesertum]



Humans were never built to have a grain-based diet or even eat grains regularly.

I am sad bro. I thought this was snark at first.

This is an unprovable hypothesis. There is no experiment you can conduct to show that humans weren't "built" to eat grains. Just because prehistoric man did or didn't eat grains doesn't prove that humans were built or werent built to eat grains. you'd have to show that grain consumption reduced fitness in prehistoric mankind to prove that we weren't able to.

You can however conclude that humans can eat grains but to detrimental effect which honestly has shaky evidence.

I would argue that in fact humans were built to eat grains because we do eat them. If we weren't built to eat grain we wouldn't be eating grains.

 

[TeeKay]



I am sad bro. I thought this was snark at first.

Sad as in you were unaware? Or sad as in you've heard of it but don't buy it?

 

[globetrotter]



I read that article too. The article claim wasn't quite what the research showed. I love the Times, but in general, their health and fitness reporting is TERRIBLE. If you look at the study they were talking about there, it showed that early humans made flour out of ferns and other plants, and used this to make basic fry-breads. These were plant starches, but not grains in a true sense. This would have been much more like a potato flour than wheat or corn. 

\
actually the one I am talking about wasn't in the health section, it was in science, and the grass issue was really secondary. they were talking about a strain of humanoid that ate bark from trees and that it seemed to die out. and then they said " of course, the prominent strains of humanoids were eating grasses at this time, essentially humans were eating grains" I am, of course, paraphrasing, but that was the gyst of it.

 

[joshuadowen]

I've been decreasing my grain intake. Replacing with potato chips, candy, and ice cream.
Seriously.
And I feel better now, much less lethargic. I dunno what sort of bro-science could justify it..... although, I have found several sources that show chips, candy, and full-fat ice cream have lower GI than most breads or grain-based foods. But I doubt that has anything to do with it.

Basically, decreasing grain intake has decreased your intake of anti-nutrient proteins like gluten. The problem with grains isn't really about carbs. It's about these indigestible proteins. Replacing grains with root veggies will get you a similar carb intake, but remove the anti-nutrients. I'm not surprised you're feeling better. Now, lowering the sugar intake probably wouldn't hurt...

 

[globetrotter]

that said - I hardly eat any grains, but I am less convinced that the science behind it is correct, that we evolved without grains. I think that we ate grasses in the plains of africa, and that included the stalks and the grains.

 

[TeeKay]



that said - I hardly eat any grains, but I am less convinced that the science behind it is correct, that we evolved without grains. I think that we ate grasses in the plains of africa, and that included the stalks and the grains.

Perhaps that's true. But, also keep in mind that wheat in the form we consume today doesn't exist naturally. It's a highly selectively bred strain of grass that humans artifically created over hundreds of years.

Wheat is to natural grains as Dachshunds are to wolves.

 

[TeeKay]



you'd have to show that grain consumption reduced fitness in prehistoric mankind to prove that we weren't able to.

There's been several studies that have shown with the advent of agriculture, both the average height and lifespan of man significantly decreased.

Now, that's a correlation that can't exactly be proven and there's some confounding variables. For example, agriculture led to the formation of cities which led to an increase in communicable disease. But, it's a correlation that shouldn't be ignored.

Also, the 1 in 100 prevalance of Celiac disease is a bit alarming.

 

[indesertum]

But you don't know if eating gluten promotes celiac disease. There could be some hidden factor that is somehow triggered by the smallest ingestion of gluten like an allergy.

Quote: Originally Posted by speedy4500 I've been decreasing my grain intake. Replacing with potato chips, candy, and ice cream. Seriously. And I feel better now, much less lethargic. I dunno what sort of bro-science could justify it..... although, I have found several sources that show chips, candy, and full-fat ice cream have lower GI than most breads or grain-based foods. But I doubt that has anything to do with it. Basically, decreasing grain intake has decreased your intake of anti-nutrient proteins like gluten. The problem with grains isn't really about carbs. It's about these indigestible proteins. Replacing grains with root veggies will get you a similar carb intake, but remove the anti-nutrients. I'm not surprised you're feeling better. Now, lowering the sugar intake probably wouldn't hurt...

If gluten is anti nutrient then this would indicate grains help people lose weight as your digestive system would absorb less nutrients meaning less calories are absorbed into your body.

Strong bro science in the past several posts. The power of placebo.... If it works for you it works for you

 

[TeeKay]



If gluten is anti nutrient then this would indicate grains help people lose weight as your digestive system would absorb less nutrients meaning less calories are absorbed into your body.

It does exactly this in over 3 million Americans..

 

[indesertum]

For those Americans yes. For everybody else no

I was reading a study about how celiacs disease diet for the normal population actually increased weight for part of the subjects. Can't find it cuz I'm on my phone

 

[globetrotter]



Perhaps that's true. But, also keep in mind that wheat in the form we consume today doesn't exist naturally. It's a highly selectively bred strain of grass that humans artifically created over hundreds of years.
Wheat is to natural grains as Dachshunds are to wolves.

that is definatly true, and they were raw and not cooked. but grains they were

 

[zissou]



This doesn't work.

So, you're telling me that if I go from my current weaksauce running regimen to training for marathons, all while eating the same diet and amount of calories, that I wouldn't lose the 5-8lbs?

actually - I believed that, too. there was an interesting article with an archeologist in the nytimes last month, I posted a link in the paleo thead. this guy specialises in the development of prehumans and early humans, and, what do you know? their diet was heavily based on grass which means, grains. so the whole paleo no grains thing isn't that clear cut.

Many American Indian tribes ate vast amounts of grains. Not sure if that's as far back as you're referring, though.

Correct me if wrong bros, but don't think we could drink milk either. 

Lactose tolerance only evolved in humans in the past 5,000 years or so. There is a certain evolutionary advantage to being tolerant of lactose, of course. Milk is particularly nutritious, and women who could consume it could, theoretically, produce more children, or more healthy children. Nevermind the fact that we're the only mammal to drink milk as adults, and not even milk from our own species.

 

[joshuadowen]

But you don't know if eating gluten promotes celiac disease. There could be some hidden factor that is somehow triggered by the smallest ingestion of gluten like an allergy.
If gluten is anti nutrient then this would indicate grains help people lose weight as your digestive system would absorb less nutrients meaning less calories are absorbed into your body.
Strong bro science in the past several posts. The power of placebo.... If it works for you it works for you

This is really, really dumb.