Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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A fallacy in the past with fat tissue (adipose tissue) was that it was simply viewed as just a collection of fat cells - a storage center for future energy requirements. In fact, the adipose tissue should also be viewed as the largest endocrine organ in the body.

This from (Dr T) Dr Tourgeman, Nephrologist in Fort Lauderdale who is paleo all the way.

Apparently fat in our body makes angiotensin which is a signaling device that tells us to put on fat or not...but is not related to quantity of food intake.

It is known that the adipose produces angiotensin which causes vasoconstriction and sodium retention. However, a great review in Kidney International, January 2011 sheds some interesting light between hypertension and fat. Studies in mice with over expression of angiotensin led to weight gain. Moreover, mice that lacked angiotensin (Ag) or angiotensin II (Ag II) were protected from high fat diet induced obesity. Yet, the reduction in fat mass was not related to changes in food intake. Apparently, a study in angiotensin deficient mice has shown that there is an increase in locomotor activity and lipid oxidation (metabolism)

http://nephropal.blogspot.com/2011/01/fat-endocrine-organ.html#comment-form

You can read all of Dr Tourgeman's report.

We have angiotensin, leptin, insulin, etc all doing their part of handling molecules of food we ingest. We have a few people who put on weight with paleo. We have the success storys of paleo. We have Dr. K and Dr Rosedale at odds regarding biological mechanisms when looking at the same data. We have such conflicts.

With our fat we carry around being the largest endocrine organ, how much fat is acceptable for long life? Are the people at 6% body fat any less or more healthy than someone at 15% or 25%?

I hope someday to know how my body works and seeing I am at 12%BF, how do I know it is ideal for me? Or should I just continue eating 80% fat paleo and let my angiotensins, my telomeres, my leptin, my blood sugar, my pancreas, my liver, my heart, my kidneys, my cholesterol in all its forms, take care of themselves...all functioning in the environment of my paleo eating and take the attitude as long as I continue this lifestyle, I can adopt the attitude of Don't Worry, Be Happy? With no cortisol implications?

What say you Paleos? Did you know how important your fat cells in your body are for living? Do you even care you have angiotensins?

edited Apr 25 2011 at 23:40

asked Apr 25 2011 at 23:34

Dexter
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I can honestly say that before now I had not cared about my angiotensins, but now I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT :) I do care about my angiotensins, Sam-I-Am. – Thomas Seay Apr 26 2011 at 0:04

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Dr. T? Dr. K? Am I on the Paleo Hack site or a character in a Kafka novel? – Thomas Seay Apr 26 2011 at 0:05

The Quilt · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-26 00:28:53Z UTC

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there is one immutable fact we now know to define optimal. Its telomere length. The longer means optimal. Now we need to figure out what makes them longest. That is why I go to meetings now. Its why I read three hours a day.

answered Apr 26 2011 at 0:28

The Quilt
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There is no one immutable fact for the huge breadth of health outcomes that humans are interested in. Optimal is defined by context and preference. – Kamal♦ Apr 26 2011 at 1:41

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maybe not for you but it is for aging scientists and as a clinician it is my job to be a better score keeper than you. But it is your choice to keep score to and make inferences and predictions based upon your own paradigm. – The Quilt Apr 26 2011 at 2:36

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Maintaining telomere length is critical to become an centenarian. But most people die before then. Even eating optimal diets, I seriously doubt that what will do us all in at the end is telomere shortening. Then again, I do not read this stuff every day. But perhaps the fact that you read it every day also skews your view? – Kamal♦ Apr 26 2011 at 4:09

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HIT weight training and interval training increase telomere length and improve QUALITY of life for older folks, and the benefits begin no matter what age you are. – Mark V Apr 26 2011 at 15:19

On that we agree and it's clear all humans benefit from HIIT anytime – The Quilt Apr 26 2011 at 15:59

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Stabby · Answer 2 · 2011-04-25 23:51:13Z UTC

The answer would be "however little it takes to minimize cytokines, maximize adiponectin and to look good. I don't suppose the fat on your booty produces those negative effects, only visceral fat. So minimal visceral fat is desirable but there isn't much reason to worry about having more subcutaneous fat than is absolutely necessary.

Do you know what the largest endocrine organ is in your body? Should you care? What does this organ have to do with Paleo?

2 Answers