How to eat for Peak Performance

By Adam Stanecki

Any car enthusiast knows that machines run far better on high octane fuel than they do on entry level fuels. The engines run smoother, emissions are reduced and the overall performance of the machine is dramatically improved.

The human body is no different.

First and foremost: food is fuel. Sure, it’s something that you can enjoy and there’s no doubting than some foods taste better than others but there is no escaping the fact that food is fuel. Without it we die. When we eat poorly we become ill. When we choose low octane foods our performance suffers. No secrets there. So, why are so many people eating poorly? Laziness? Ignorance? Both?

No doubt understand that your diet has a definitive link to your ability to perform at your maximum capacity. What if you could take it a step further and not only improve your performance but also increase your chances of preventing obesity, diabetes, cancer, gout, hypertension and many other illnesses plaguing modern civilization?

Firstly, take your healthy diet pyramid - or whatever eating plan your government misguidedly provided - and throw it out. It's probably upside down. Now, open your mind to new - and not-so-new - ideas.

Mountains of current research is starting to vindicate the stance of trailblazers like Dr Robert Atkins, Vance Thompson and other low carbohydrate crusaders. They were right all along. Too much carbohydrate in your diet is a recipe for disaster. If you want to improve your health through diet, you have to restrict your consumption of carbohydrates. It really is that simple.

In restricting - not eliminating - carbohydrate intake we allow room in our diet for the other required nutrients being fat and protein. Most people eat too much carbohydrate and not enough protein and fat.

It’s the affect that carbs have on your insulin levels that causes the trouble. When you eat carbohydrates, your body processes these foods into basic sugars and releases the sugar into the bloodstream. Your pancreas then releases insulin to allow the sugar to be absorbed by your cells and tissues. Excessive dietary carbohydrate leads to high levels of blood sugar and also high levels of insulin. After a while, the body becomes resistant to insulin, the pancreas creates more to compensate and the whole cycle gets out of control. Soon there’s too much insulin and the body doesn’t function too well with too much of this hormone floating around. This is a simple explanation but it illustrates how easy it is for the diet to cause serious health issues.

The good news is that hyperinsulinemia (excessive insulin levels) can be controlled by the diet. If you choose to eat wisely – and that means no low-fat diets – you will find an improvement in your energy levels and very likely a reduction or cessation of symptoms that have ailed you for some time. Think low-carb not low-fat.

It is highly recommended that you educate yourself regarding proper nutrition. Don’t blindly believe the nay-sayers. Sometimes even those in positions of supposed authority know less than you. Think for yourself and remember that all truths are initially ridiculed.

Here are five books that are a great starting point for learning more about proper nutrition:

• “Protein Power” by Drs Michael & Mary Dan Eades
• “Enter the Zone” by Dr Barry Sears
• “The Paleo Diet” by Dr Loren Cordain
• “Sugar Blues” by William Duffy
• “Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution” By Dr Robert Atkins

In the end, it’s up to you. All you can do is arm yourself with knowledge and make the right choices.