Sisson Speaks

Recently, a bunch of Paleo/Primal eaters packed into CrossFit NYC in Chelsea to hear Mark Sisson talk about metabolism. Mark is one of the most respected leaders in the Paleo/Primal community, so we were all pretty psyched to hear what he had to say.

Primal does a body good

The main topic of discussion was Mark's article A Metabolic Paradigm Shift, which is less complicated than it sounds. Basically, instead of relying on glucose as our main fuel, we should switch to fat. Doing so would lessen or even eradicate many of the health problems we face as a society. Yet, most MDs, RDs and nutritionists still cling to the antiquated notion that a steady flow of glucose is the preferred fuel. Is it because they're not paying attention? Because there are health professionals who are getting excellent results with their patients by weaning them off sugar (like Dr. Michael Eades and Dr. Mary Dan Eades). Why is the mainstream so slow to catch on and what can be done to change their minds? Enter: the metabolic paradigm shift.

If you've been paying attention to the nutrition literature out there, you already know that there are no essential carbohydrates. Mark describes carbohydrates as "an elective macronutrient." While no one is suggesting we need to cut off all carbohydrate consumption (that's no fun), the point is, our bodies don't require them and work very efficiently without them.

Are you a fat burner or a sugar burner?

When you feed yourself a constant dose of sugar (also called glucose or carbohydrate), you burn sugar. When you cut off the sugar, you burn fat. It's not difficult to determine whether your metabolism is running on sugar or fat. If you crave carbohydrates, experience intense hunger and need to eat something every 2-3 hours, you're a sugar burner.

Fat burners experience something entirely different. They generally have less appetite, more energy and better focus. Fat burners can go several hours without eating and not panic. Personally, this has been a godsend. When I was a sugar-burning vegetarian I experienced intense hunger a couple times a day, starting when I opened my eyes in the morning. On a Paleo diet, I don't have that feeling.

How do you make the switch?

You can make the switch to fat burner by following a Paleo/Primal diet, which will naturally lower your sugar consumption. Instead of getting an onslaught of carbs from muffins, cereal, toast, pasta, rice, beans, chips, soda, energy drinks, etc., you will get your carbs from vegetables and some fruits and nuts.

Sometimes the transition can be a little rocky, depending on how much sugar you're used to consuming. Take is slow. Start by cutting out the junk and sugary drinks. Then cut out the grains and legumes. Finally, reduce or eliminate dairy. A small amount of dairy is okay for most people, so experiment with this. If you're intent on being 100% hardcore Paleo/Primal, skip the dairy. If you're happy with "almost" (80%-90%), some raw, full-fat dairy makes this easier (I use grass-fed butter for cooking, cream in my coffee and occasionally eat full-fat Greek yogurt).

Root vegetables, which have more starch, can be really helpful during the transition. Believe it or not, Rustic Roasted Vegetables can save you from a cookie binge. I also like Berries and Cream when I want something sweet.

Where to find answers

During Mark's talk, he made a lot interesting points; the one that really stuck with me was this:

"The answer is always found in evolution."

When he said that, I wanted to jump up and down screaming, "YES! YES! YES!"

There is so much confusion and contradictory information in the nutrition world today. No one seems to agree on what's correct. New studies are published every day citing data that contradicts what we thought was right. There are so many choices and so many opinions and so many pharmaceuticals and so many side effects and so much illness and obesity and AHHHHH! What can we do?

Look back.

That's right. Look way back because that's where the answers are. These bodies we live in may feel new (or relatively new) to us, but they've been works-in-progress for millions of years. Metabolism, movement, rest, play, hunger, sleep, sex and so on, have been going on longer than we can even comprehend. What is new is how we approach these subjects. Our solutions are modern and don't necessarily fit well with bodies that are part of an evolutionary process.

In The Primal Blueprint Mark writes: "The mobilization of stored body fat has been our preferred energy source (and weight-control device) for a couple of million years. It's as simple as this: you cannot reduce body fat on a diet that stimulates excessive levels of insulin production."

He also states: "Perhaps the single quickest and most exciting revelation for converts to the Primal Blueprint eating style is that by eliminating sugars and grains from your diet and emphasizing plant and animal foods, you will experience more consistent energy levels and a naturally diminished appetite."

If you're ready to finally get healthy, sexy and lean, get Mark's books and devour them!

This book is a classic. If you follow this advice, you will dramatically improve your health and look better naked. Get a couple extra copies to give away because people will ask you what you're doing.

The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram your genes for effortless weight loss, vibrant health, and boundless energy