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This history is typical of many physically active women who desire to be thin and fit. While maintaining a high level of activity, they attempt to cut most or all of the fat from their diets, thinking this will allow them to lose weight while maintaining optimal athletic performance. However, such drastic measures can have many adverse consequences, as the following case demonstrates.
AJ grew up eating a healthy balanced diet and had been active in sports since age five. As a child, she was thin and healthy. In high school, she excelled in three varsity sports and never worried about her weight. She began menstruating at age 14, but never developed regular periods.
At age 17, height 5’6", AJ started gaining weight and went from about 115 lbs. to about 130 lbs. in a few months. Worried that she was "getting fat," she decided to modify her diet and get back down to her "ideal" weight of 115 lbs. She did this by cutting almost all fats from her diet, and eating primarily processed carbohydrates (bagels, pasta, cereal), fruits, vegetables, and skim dairy products. Occasionally, she would eat small amounts of lean chicken. She ate almost no essential fats and little protein. She continued her high levels of physical activity, and in a short time, was back down to 115 pounds with a BMI (body mass index) of about 18.
However, instead of just losing fat, AJ lost muscle and depleted her essential fats. Her athletic performance decreased, and she experienced muscle soreness more easily. Her skin became very dry and even cracked in places. She noticed increased hair loss, and her hair became dull and brittle. Her periods stopped altogether, and she could not control her mood swings (a result of hormonal changes). AJ became ill numerous times that winter, despite the fact that she had "never" gotten sick as a child (her immune system was suffering). She also complained that she could not concentrate as well and often suffered from headaches (she was "starving" her brain of w3s).
After close to a year of these symptoms, AJ finally realized that her diet was not sufficient to support her body’s needs. A blood test showed severe anemia (iron deficiency), so she started taking iron supplements. She increased her caloric intake and made an effort to eat more protein in the form of lean meats and dairy products. Her weight went up to about 120 lbs. with a BMI of 19. However, she continued to maintain a very low fat intake and ate little to no essential fats. Although many of her symptoms improved, her skin still became very dry in the winter, her periods remained irregular (about three per year) and she experienced severe PMS with cramps and mood swings.
At age 20, after learning of the importance of essential fats to proper health, AJ contacted Dr. Siguel for a fatty acid profile EFA-SRÔ. The blood test showed extraordinarily low levels of w3 and w6 essential fats for a woman without chronic disease. Her body stores of essential fats were depleted, a condition known as AEFAI (absolute EFA insufficiency).
Dr, Siguel advised AJ of the importance of building her body reserves of EFs. He suggested that she supplement her diet with 2 tbsp. of EF-rich soybean oil daily. As an athlete who exercised several hours per day, AJ did not have to worry much about the extra calories from the oil. Still, she was told to eliminate extraneous calories from breads, pastas, and simple sugars, and to eat more nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruit, and lean protein instead. The idea was that AJ eliminate processed foods which provided few nutrients for their calories, and instead have every calorie "count" towards her body's nutritional demands. Since she was so low on EFs, it would be months of eating oil daily before her reserves were built back up and she could feel an improvement.
AJ read Dr. Siguel's book and agreed with his scientific principles and treatment program. . She began to eat soy products regularly, supplement her diet with whole eggs for protein and other nutrients, have fish frequently, and snack on walnuts, sunflower seeds, ground flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds. To correct for possible pre-existing vitamin and mineral deficiencies, she took a multivitamin and mineral tablet with iron 3 times per week (because she eats a variety of nutrient-rich foods, she gets enough vitamins and minerals from her diet). She grew to like the taste of EF-rich oils (like soybean and flaxseed oil), and began drizzling these oils on her salads, potatoes, green beans, oatmeal, and other foods in place of the flavorings she used to like.
A repeat fatty acid profile EFA-SRÔ three months later showed dramatic improvements in AJ's levels of essential fats. Since she had added calories from EFs but cut other calories as directed, her weight did not increase. What did increase was her energy, her stamina, and her mental abilities.
AJ reports that her skin has become much softer and no longer requires moisturizer; her hair is thick and healthy; and her nails are stronger. Her periods have become more frequent with less cramps and mood swings, and her breast size has slightly but noticeably increased. She hasn’t been sick since she starting eating essential fats regularly. Her athletic performance has also improved.
Since AJ had relatively severe EF abnormalities, she must keep taking large amounts of the oils and get her blood tested periodically. When her body stores of EFs have been replenished, she might get enough EFs from the large amounts of vegetables and lean meats she is eating. However, if she stops exercising so much, she will have to cut down on calories or she will gain weight. In that case, she might eat less but supplement her diet with a teaspoon of oil as needed.
A key factor in AJ's rapid improvement was her optimized essential fat intake, based on test results from the fatty acid profile EFA-SRÔ interpreted in accordance with Dr. Siguel's methods. Unlike many others, Dr. Siguel did not consider it necessary for AJ to take expensive fish oil or GLA (i.e., evening primrose oil) capsules. Siguel's analysis showed that she would get better benefits from more stable and inexpensive oils than from more expensive and less stable oils (like fish oils). AJ did not have severe cardiovascular disease or highly elevated triglycerides, two of the conditions that may require specific mixtures of fish oils (not just any fish oils). Besides saving considerable money (more than the cost of the tests), AJ did not risk side effects from potentially toxic oxidation or deterioration byproducts in highly unsaturated oils.
Since AJ understood the principles behind her treatment and took active steps to implement the suggested changes in her diet, she was very successful in achieving her goals. Others can benefit from her example.
All cases presented describe composites of people and have been created for illustration and educational purposes. Any similarities to actual individuals or institutions are circumstantial and fictitious. No criticism is intended of any particular person or institution. We have to use composites to maintain confidentiality of patient information.
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© 1998 Edward Siguel. All rights reserved |
modified 9/14/98 |