Method to Lose Weight:

 Author: Miguel M. Alberdi -Pharm. National License: 9243. Provincial License: 13879.

e-mail: tap@fibertel.com.ar Telephone number: + 54-11-47035929.  

“Ice Age Method”

 I have named my method to lose weight the “Ice Age Method” because both the causative analysis of the so-called “obesity” disease and the proposed treatment are related to the Ice Age.

 Summary of the causes of obesity:  Most of the current world population comes from the Ice Age surviving man. Such man, who was awaken when ice began to go away, was mainly carnivorous. He used to eat hunted animals, fish, seafood, and some roots. He was a strong man who managed to live thanks to the fact his genetics adjusted to such harsh living conditions. His lipid synthesis biochemistry was very efficient. It was because of his well built body fat that he managed to save the necessary energy to face long periods of starvation, and served him as a great thermal insulator in the cold weather. Afterwards, this man could manage several grains containing a high level of eatable carbohydrates, and in some places, he managed to establish civilizations thanks to their growing, and the social organization which necessarily arose from agricultural societies. Until nowadays, adjustments to this type of food out of eatable flour has been performed little by little, and now almost everybody can digest carbohydrates without any trouble. This introduction of flours into the ice age man’s diet brought about a power economy in his metabolism, thus an imbalance occurred between the amount of ate calories and burnt ones. Consequently, the early agricultural societies experienced the first signs of this disease. This is because adjustment genes to the long ice age were not lost, and they keep on showing to different extents in several people. Such genes have not been identified yet, despite it is very likely obesity genetic mechanism is achieved and controlled in the near future.

 Summary of the Method to Lose Weight: As previously stated, obesity is highly benefited from carbohydrate intake, since most of us show a high biochemical efficiency in relation to body fat power storage, and carbohydrates provide us with a high level of calories, which exceeds that from meat and fats, specially those belonging to the short chain or sugars (such as sucrose, fructose, lactose, etc). Moreover, if we make a comparison between our comfortable life style to the ice age man’s, we would immediately notice that we are far too “cozy”. No doubt there are some psychological behavior- related factors which also contribute to keeping fit, but in most cases, a vicious cycle is created between: large calorie intake > depression > large calorie intake. Also, it is likely there are some genes triggering sedentary habits and voracious intakes, in the same way they can determine other human patterns. The method to be developed will thus minimally reproduce some living conditions during the ice age.

 Instructions: 1) It is necessary to follow a quasi-total carbohydrate -free diet. Some biscuits and sweets are allowed for breakfast, but it is necessary to cut down on carbohydrates. 2) Submerge your body, not your head, into “fresh” water (15°- 20°C aprox.) for one hour a day, at least. Of course, it would be much better if you did some kind of aqua gym, although it is not compulsory. Even resting into the water can make you lose some weight.* It is important that water is not too cold, since results are achieved by long periods of submersion. *During winter, you can use your bathtub. 3) A basic diet will include small portions of fish, seafood, poultry, and other kinds of meat, garnished with assorted salads without any sugars or starch (avoid potatoes, sweet potatoes, sugar beet, etc.) It is allowed to eat small portions of skimmed cheese and up to 1 glass of skimmed milk a day. Be careful with eggs, because of their high contents of cholesterol; it would be wise also to take some fat out of meat. There are no restrictions related to seasonings, except for mayonnaise and ketchup, which should be restricted to minimum, as well as salt, mainly if there are any signs of hypertension. Olive oil for cooking and seasoning is recommended. Also, fruit intake will be minimum, but not eliminated. Beverages: mineral water and any diet sugar-free beverages, no alcohol allowed.

Note I: This method ensures good results and enhances the patient’s good health. No medicines are prescribed, and it does not represent any kind of business since no good is sold. “Fresh” water submersion is the key to this method, because apart from burning calories, circulation is activated, thus contributing to the improvement of the patient’s health while losing weight and feeling more enthusiastic. This is ideal for those movement-impaired fat people because weight loss is achieved through a metabolic reaction towards cold conditions. *Our body burns calories to balance body temperature. Those people who can also exercise are more likely to lose weight easily. For this end, it is advisable to exercise first, and then submerge into water.

 Note II: These days, people tend to do the opposite. External heat is applied onto the body, through several devices and in saunas. This is worth nothing. The only effect achieved is a temporary dehydration. *Do not let anyone pull your leg, if no calories are burnt, no weight is lost.