Nutrient Density

For some time now, I’ve been following claims that optimizing nutrient density is a good thing.  The arguments I’m familiar with flow from the caloric restriction studies, where minimizing caloric intake while maintaining enough nutrient density to support life ends up extending maximum lifespan.

One aspect of the logic behind this approach is that it minimizes the work your body has to do, particularly when it comes to handling biochemical byproducts and waste.

[[MORE]]The thing about vegetables (and I do enjoy mine!), is that they also contain a bunch of things that aren’t necessary for human health, including carbs.  For example, Vit B-12 isn’t readily available in plant form (small amounts in seaweeds and BG algae), but it’s very available in animal products.  B-12 deficiency in some ways mirrors Vit D; it’s widespread, and has been implicated in a number of conditions, including heart disease and mental illness.  Plus, following the same thinking from above about minimizing the load on the body’s support systems, many plants also contain toxins that have to be detoxified – gluten from grains is a big offender in that area.

I’ve found that many people are still stuck in the calories-in vs. calories-expended trap.  Maximizing nutrient density doesn’t have to mean minimizing calories.  Particularly when you’re eating low-carb, some foods just don’t “stick.”  It’s like a type 1 diabetic who isn’t taking insulin: no matter how much they eat, they won’t gain weight.  When you’re eating low-carb, and therefore have a low insulin level, some foods are simply excreted, without being fully absorbed; with minimal biochemical process involved, the resulting load on the body must be very low.

A related issue is how absorbable the nutrients are:  They may be present in plants, but unless you spend 12 hours a day chewing (like a cow does), then odds are they won’t be fully available to you, so you will need to eat more calories to get adequate quantities.  Nutrients in animal products are much more absorbable.

Finally, another important point is that eating Paleo / low-carb seems to have many of the same physical and biochemical side-effects as a calorie restriction – but without the torture.