User paola - PaleoHacks.com

Medium-chain fatty-acids and milk

2011-01-24T10:59:53Z

If medium-chain fatty-acids are so good for us, how come human milk is mostly made of long-chain fatty-acids? Is there a difference between children and adults in terms of nutritional needs?

It is my understanding that medium-chain fatty-acids (especially abundant in coconut oil) are easily digested and utilized as a source of energy, and thus considered a great choice in general, but especially for people with digestive, metabolic, and neurological problems.

Now, I have found this quote "The milk fats of man, dog, and guinea pig, [are] largely made up of long-chain fatty acids... The milk fats of cow, sheep, and goat, [are] rich in short-chain acids... Horse milk, ... contains large amounts of medium-chain fatty acids..." (Source: http://www.jlr.org/content/8/5/473.abstract)

Short- and medium-chain fatty acids are similarly digested: "[s]hort-chain fatty acids, just as medium-chain fatty acids, are taken up directly to the portal vein during lipid digestion, in contrast to long-chain fatty acids, which are packed into chylomicrons and enter lymphatic capillaries and enter the blood first at the subclavian vein." (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-chain_fatty_acid)

How is it possbile that human milk has a less-than-ideal fat composition when compared to that of horse/cow/goat? Or is the hype around medium-chain fatty-acids exaggerated? Or am I getting something wrong?

Answer by Paola for eastern medicine: body types and foods to eat/avoid

2011-04-21T03:18:58Z

According to this website http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/heaty.html chicken is heaty, but both pork and beef are neutral foods: they become heaty or cooling according to how you prepare them. Besides, my understanding of Chinese medicine is that you don't necessarily need to avoid certain foods as long as you balance them out: for example, even though chicken is heaty, you can combine it with some cooling food, for example broccoli, to make it more balanced.

I personally don't follow Chinese medicine, so I don't have first-hand experience to share. The distinction between heaty and cooling foods might work, but it's too much hair-splitting for my taste. I don't see anything wrong with trying it for some time, and you can have a lot of fun doing some research online, or even getting some good books on Chinese medicine (BTW, 5000 years ago the Chinese hadn't invented writing yet, how would we know about their medical traditions?)

Answer by Paola for Paleo foods in Hong Kong

2011-04-17T00:19:47Z

You don't need to eat noodles or rice at all, there are so many dishes here in HK that are meat and veggies only. Besides, rice and rice noodles are not as bad as pasta and bread, in my opinion.

Personally, I am more concerned about other things in Chinese restaurant food: soy sauce (gluten), MSG, industrial vegetable oils, and sugar. These are unavoidable. If you eat out once in a while it's ok, but you'd better do some cooking yourself. You can access any kind of produce in the many cheap grocery stores around the city ("Park'N'Shop" and "Wellcome"), and in upmarket stores like '360', "CitySuper", "Great", and "Oliver's", which cater to expatriates. As Adam said, there you can buy good quality cooked food, but it's rather expensive.

Almost forgot: on top of organic meats, you can buy grass-fed beef in "CitySuper" and "Great"

Answer by Paola for How to remove feathers from chicken?

2011-04-14T23:47:51Z

Like Ryan said, dip the chicken once or twice in how water for a couple of seconds, and you should be able to pluck the feathers easily. A pair of tweezers may help with the slippery ones. Burn very fine feathers on the open stove.

Answer by Paola for What Offal Do You Eat in Chinese Restaurants?

2011-04-10T04:03:44Z

If you have no problems eating meat from conventionally raised animals, then I don't think you should worry about the type of cut.

Personally, when I eat Chinese I'm more concerned about the oils used (and reused) to cook, and additives like MSG. BTW, if you can find them where you live, try pig or duck intestines: heavenly...

Answer by Paola for Please rank your offal preferences, according to taste

2011-03-27T07:51:43Z

Like a lot, no specific order: intestines, lungs, bone marrow, tongue, tripe (I rarely eat the first two and only in restaurants)

Like somehow: kidneys, heart, brain (rarely and only in restaurants)

Dislike but eat: liver (only cooked by myself, as I need to work very hard to disguise the taste. Ironically, the offal I eat more often)

Answer by Paola for Is quantity the problem?

2011-03-27T02:51:39Z

Never tried any poison, but no, in my personal case there is nothing bad independently of quantity. I would add that frequency is another important variable, in the sense that a little quantity every day of some foods (gluten grains, milk and cheese, legumes, brassica veggies, onions, etc.) does bother me after a while.

Answer by Paola for Coffee Creamer - Evil or Okay?

2011-03-27T02:38:42Z

Most coffee creamers are shelf stable without refrigeration because they contain trans-fat. Avoid them.

That beign said, coffee is not really something we drink for its nutritional properties, it's a pleasure, and should taste good, otherwise what's the point? Dairy cream, coconut cream/milk or even a little sugar (did I write that?) are totally ok.

Answer by Paola for Primal BluePrint Training

2011-03-27T02:15:32Z

I walk back home from work for slightly more than an hour as many days as possible, and try to have a longer hike in the weekends. This for my "move slowly" time. I find it very healing and relaxing. After work and before dinner I am too low in energy to do anything else, including intellectual work or lifing in the gym, but I could walk forever. Not very paleo-macho, I guess I would have been a gatherer rather than a hunter in the good old days...

Answer by Paola for Does eating more fat or protein help when trying to lean out?

2011-03-25T05:30:47Z

Try and see which combination works better for you.

In my own experience, higher protein/lower fat is better for leaning out. When I increase my fat intake, I need to cut out almost all carbs: this is ok at the beginning, but it makes me feel very uncomfortable in the long run.

I tend not to add too much extra fat (in the form of oils and butter) to my proteins, because meat, fish and eggs already contain reasonable quantities of fat for my needs. I use just enough to cook them. I do use oil/butter on veggies. And I always have a small source of starch at every meal (yam, sweet potato, carrot or pumpkin). This is the best combination for me for leaning out and feeling good.

Answer by Paola for What is your favorite Paleo song......puts you in that right frame of mind for the lifestyle?

2011-03-24T08:43:28Z

I feel wild when I listen to this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s13X66BFd8

Answer by Paola for Competing and losing last few pounds on paleo!

2011-03-22T00:40:15Z

Agree with Dana. If you loose too much body fat you may loose your period as well. At least limit your lean periods to competition times and don't keep your body fat too low all year round.

That being said, and against what many users of this site believe, for most people lowering fat intake works beautifully for fat loss, at least in the short run. It is not a coincidence that body builders reach such a lean body by ditching the fat and eating only chicken breast, egg whites and protein shakes as sources of protein. But they limit this to competition times, especially women, because it is not optimal. Cutting fruits and nuts helps too. Not a happy diet.

Answer by Paola for Wisdom teeth and appendix versus Paleo diet

2011-03-21T23:56:30Z

According to this logic, giant pandas should eat meat instead of bamboo because they have the canine teeth of a carnivore...

Answer by Paola for Allergic to exercise?

2011-03-21T10:38:33Z

There is a connection between allergy, exercise and wheat. See for example this article, in case you missed it (Dr. K provided the link in a recent question):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576200393522456636.html

I know that you have eliminated gluten from your diet, but is it possible that you have inadvertently been exposed to wheat?

Answer by Paola for How do you get yourself to go to bed earlier?

2011-03-20T07:42:16Z

I agree with Stabby. For me podcasts work very well. I import a few favorites, and then listen to them in bed, lights off. I really look forward to going to sleep now. It's so pleasant and relaxing, I fall asleep like a baby, they really work like bed-time stories. But remember to switch the device off...

Answer by Paola for Frequent Nosebleeds - Causes?

2011-03-16T06:19:42Z

If you want to experiment with Chinese medicine you could take a look at this site:

http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/heaty.html

Nose bleeding is caused by too much heat in the body, which could be balanced by consuming more "cooling" foods. Coconut is considered "heaty", similarly to fried or grilled beef.

Answer by Paola for Can anyone recommend a good book on coconuts?

2011-03-16T01:05:41Z

Eat fat, lose fat: lose weight and feel great with three delicious, science-based coconut diets by Mary Enig and Sally Fallon (2005). Not just about weight loss, see contents below:

The truth about fats -- Facts versus fears about fats -- Fats, the real deal -- Know your fats--and your nutrients -- Our nutritional approach -- Real foods--for healing and health -- Real food, the world over -- Quick and easy weight loss -- Health recovery -- Everyday gourmet -- Recipes and resources -- Coconut recipes -- Traditional recipes -- Resources.

Answer by Paola for Does PaleoHacks.com censor people or ideas?

2011-03-15T07:43:19Z

No, I wouldn't say that it censors people or ideas.

I know there are some mighty eyes watching us from above, but in general they are not intrusive. However, I have to say that there have been a couple of instances in which a question was closed without any good reson, in my opinion.

Glad that Ignacio is back, I would have missed his questions.

Answer by Paola for Do you get really warm when VLC or ZC and are in ketosis?

2011-03-11T02:47:22Z

I get the same, but I'm not doing VLC... I actually thought mine were signs of incipient menopause... :)

Answer by Paola for Cardio : Upper body cardio ideas?

2011-03-10T00:40:24Z

Rowing and paddling.

In race walking, the upper body contributes to the propulsion, much more than in regular walking or running.

Answer by Paola for Olive Oil Stability

2011-03-03T23:58:06Z

I wouldn't worry, especially if you use up your oil within a few months. Light and oxygen are more of a concern for me than temperature. When I buy olive oil, I choose always those that come in dark-glass bottles. Then, I store it away from the light and keep it capped at all time. So, those very handy spouts and cruets are a big no-no for me. If you don't use olive oil very often, buy smaller bottles.

Answer by Paola for I Think My Cholesterol Level Caused a Heart Attack (For My Doctor)

2011-03-02T01:40:59Z

Travis, we already had a little discussion about Vit D, sun tan, and fooling the body...

I also have very high LDL cholesterol after a period eating what I believe to be healthful and natural food. I don't think that high cholesterol causes CVD, but suspect that there might be something wrong when is too high; at the same time, as I refuse to believe that what I eat is not good (sounds vegan?), I started looking at supplementation as the possible cause of the problem.

I actually suspect that the relationship between cholesterol, Vit D, and fish oil is not completely understood and might be cause for concern.

Ok, the causation is: cholesterol+sunshine >> Vit D.

However, is it possible that when we get a lot of Vit D and fish oil through supplements, our body is fooled into thinking that it's summer, that we are going to get a lot of sushine, and thus ups cholesterol production? Should supplementation be seasonal?

It would be interesting to see if those who supplement with Vit D (+fish oil) have seen a sharp increase in cholesterol levels.

Answer by Paola for CrossFitter who's been Paleo/Zone for 9 months -- looking to dial in more

2011-02-26T10:33:02Z

First, you don't eat enough meat (beef, lamb, game); unless there is a reason for that, you should start there. Better source of protein than whey isolate, and good source of fat as well.

Second, cook your food, it is more nutritious.

Third, I don't think you get the amount of energy and nutrients you calculated: take dinner, for example, 615 calories? I don't think so; and 7.5 ounces of shrimps don't have 75 gr of proteins; the veggies there are almost negligible in that respect.

Fourth, more fat would do you good... but I wouldn't cut the veggies.

I really think you are undernourrished (not enough calories, not enough nutrients), but it should be very easy for you to increase your body weight and improve your performance with just a few changes. Good luck!

Answer by Paola for More on Migraines and Paleo

2011-02-23T07:23:30Z

This is not my case, but my sister is celiac and her previously frequent migraines have almost completely disappeared since going gluten-free about one year ago. I write "almost" because she told me that she had the symptoms of a coming migraine a couple of times or so, but she blocked them with pain killers. She doesn't know the reason, maybe some gluten (or some other foods she is sensitive to) sneaked in her diet.

Her eyes are hazelnut.

EDIT: my sister doesn't eat paleo at all, lots of gluten-free grains, legumes, dairy...

Answer by Paola for Advice on quitting smoking

2011-02-22T01:35:56Z

Very tough to do both things: quit smoking and eat paleo! But the first is so important that you shuold do everything it takes (and I would allow some candies and gums here and there), and then go back on track with the rest of your life, including avoiding eating crap.

This being said, of course the ideal is to quit AND eat well. If you are ready for this, at least don't do LC. So, eat your normal "paleo" food, maybe allow more frequent meals (IF would be so difficult!), and keep clean raw veggies at hand to munch on when you have cravings for a smoke: cucumbers, carrots, romaine lettuce, peppers, celery, olives, you name it.

If you can, when the cravings kick in, go for a walk or a run or do any kind of physical activity.

Go on a trip for a few days, in the outdoors, i.e. backpacking: it helps a lot with breaking the "habit" of smoking, with all those little daily rituals that make it so damn difficult to quit.

Answer by Paola for How do you cook marrow?

2011-02-19T00:45:59Z

I have never seen marrow without bone, but if I had the luck to get my hands on it, I would probably cook some onion and veggies (like mushrooms), add the marrow, and stir fry it for just 2 or 3 minutes. I would also try to add it to scrambled eggs and, again, cook very quickly.

Answer by Paola for Should I store nuts in the refrigerator?

2011-02-16T03:16:42Z

Yes, you should, polyunsaturated fats are highly unstable.

Answer by Paola for Alternatives to my tamari rut?

2011-02-16T02:59:16Z

Anchovies, preserved either under oil or salt (but rinse the latter very well...): add one or two to any dish, they melt when heated, incredibly easy way to add taste.

Answer by Paola for A Cancer Diagnosis and Paleo?

2011-02-16T02:03:31Z

Patrick and Noreen Quillin are the authors of Beating cancer with nutrition: combining the best of science and nature for healing in the 21st century:simple, safe, and effective natural methods to improve outcome for cancer patients (2001)

You can also check the website http://www.patrickquillin.com/, and Patrick Quillin interview at Underground Wellness, podcast dated 6/23/10.

I haven't read the book, but the interview is very interesting. It discusses, among other things, the healing properties of therapeutical doses of Vit C.

Answer by Paola for Post-Carb/Sugar Ingestion: Increased Cravings?

2011-02-14T15:49:40Z

In addition to sugar, the culprit might be MSG, which is often used in canned sauces. It has a very powerful effect on me, both increasing my general hunger during the meal (the more I eat the hungrier I become), and producing incredibily strong cravings for sweets after the meal + thirst.

Comment by Paola

2011-04-21T05:35:04Z

Good! I like your list very much, I was just surprised not to see a "stuff that makes me feel good" category: we need that...

Comment by Paola

2011-04-21T03:27:49Z

Wow, Lareth, your glass of wine is always "half empty": no foods makes you feel good?

Comment by Paola

2011-04-10T04:05:40Z

JansSushiBar: Duck tongue is an appetizer, and is usally served with a few other small dishes, before the main courses. No need to be hungry...

Comment by Paola

2011-03-27T23:39:09Z

Yes, the only way I can make liver palatable is to cook it with lots of mushrooms, onion, butter, and sherry...then it's ok, but there is so little liver in there that I need to eat several portions a day to get a decent amount :)

Comment by Paola

2011-03-25T01:15:49Z

I assumed you were talking about figure competition, because of your emphasis on weight loss. However, I still believe that losing body weight by decreasing your fat intake (and playing with porteins/carbs according to your needs) can improve your performance because of the different ratio body fat/lean mass.

Comment by Paola

2011-03-24T09:54:41Z

Travis, take a look at this article that connects vitamin deficiencies and cholesterol production: familyhealthnews.com/…. Paul Jaminet also talks about his experience with scurvy, which may be related to low fruit consumption combined with some infection. I find this link between vitamins and cholesterol more compelling than the one between copper and cholesterol.

Comment by Paola

2011-03-22T00:17:04Z

True: only 99% of their diet is bamboo...

Comment by Paola

2011-03-21T10:20:43Z

Can I add just one more? >>> TETANUS

Comment by Paola

2011-03-21T00:23:13Z

Lindsay, pancetta is actually cured (with salt, pepper, spices, and often nitrates like regular bacon). You can find a "dolce" variety that is not smoked ("affumicata").

Comment by Paola

2011-03-20T23:56:13Z

Aaron: interesting, I need to check if my player has that function as well. But I wonder if, with that function, I wouldn't be alert enough to take the earphones off when falling asleep, and then strangle myself like you :) BTW, have you tried to use earphones instead of headphones?

Comment by Paola

2011-03-19T00:50:04Z

I see... sorry about that

Comment by Paola

2011-03-19T00:20:44Z

What does it mean "more man than me"?

Comment by Paola

2011-03-16T01:44:27Z

Scott, are you not worried about the gluten in the pretzel...?

Comment by Paola

2011-03-15T01:41:09Z

-1 from me, no need to explain

Comment by Paola

2011-03-11T10:11:49Z

@Sgroh87, you could have your first meal before work, say at 8:30 or 9:00, and another (your last) at 4:30 or 5:00. Personally, when I do IF is usually from an early dinner to breakfast: I'm much hungrier in the a.m. than in the p.m., don't mind eating my last meal at 3:00 or 4:00, but cannot skip breakfast.