Paleo Diet: Raw Paleo Diet and Lifestyle Forum

Raw Paleo Diet Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Josh on April 10, 2010, 06:40:32 pm

Title: Altitude adaption and question on fat ratio
Post by: Josh on April 10, 2010, 06:40:32 pm
Hello everyone. Back from my travels. I was staying for four months in Antigua, Guatemala which is 1510 m higher than London my hometown. At first I noticed a tiredness and lack of energy, which went away till in about month 3 I felt fine. I also started running longer and faster over there and had it up to doing 6 miles in an hour.

One of the effects of altitude adaption is to increase mitochondria in cells. I was hoping that when I moved back to the uk the adaption would help me to move to a high fat diet, and I have been proved right. I have been eating a mixture of raw and cooked and aiming for low carb - one piece of fruit a day although I have cheated a bit with alcohol and a couple of carb meals. I have cut right back on the exercise, just going for a jog a couple of times a week.

I feel so much better than when I was trying it before with only occasional periods of low energy. This makes me think that altitude adaption and exercise can make things a lot easier. Obviously not everyone can go somewhere that high up. But it seems like a lot of people on the forum that have made this work have done a lot of physical training at one point in their life.

I have a question that I'd welcome your opinion on. I'm hoping to put together raw paleo meals every week to make life easier and get some control over fat/protein ratio. I want to keep eating one piece of fruit a day as I don't want to push my luck too soon and not be able to stick with it. I generally think high fat is the way forward eventually.

What ratio of calories do you think I should go for at this stage - go for about 70/30 for a while then maybe change later or go straight for 80/20 and tough out the adaption effects?

Would be interested to know what you think.

Cheers, Josh
Title: Re: Altitude adaption and question on fat ratio
Post by: Josh on April 11, 2010, 10:59:08 pm
Well I decided to try for about 65/35 as it will be easier to stick to, easier while travelling and I will be getting a few cals from fruit.

I can always change later if I want.
Title: Re: Altitude adaption and question on fat ratio
Post by: miles on April 12, 2010, 03:50:01 am
If you are ZC I don't think your constant fat intake matters. I think you need to do it by taste because too much fat or too little fat is bad depending on your body fat %. Keep the meat constant, by taste/desire, with whatever fat comes with it. Then only add extra fat if you feel like it. This will be if your body-fat reserves are running low. If they're high, you won't desire so much fat and shouldn't eat in excess of what comes with the meat/what little extra you feel like possibly. I think the body wants to store any fat you eat first anyway before using it, so you only need to eat fat to keep your own body-reserves up. Which will be more, the more energy you use. Whilst you're digesting a meaty meal, I think the body is using some of the protein for energy too but I'm not sure, it might just be storing that energy in some carb form such as glycogen. I really don't know about that last bit.

If you eat more fat than you use over a long period, your body won't put it on past a certain point but your body does 'stupid' things to use it up. If you eat less fat than you use over a long period, you will stop losing body fat past a certain point, but your body will do 'stupid' things to spare what's remaining. When it comes to fat, if you already have a decent store in your body, it seems better to play catch up and top up your fat after it's depleted, than to try the other way around(trying to add it before you use it).
Title: Re: Altitude adaption and question on fat ratio
Post by: Josh on April 12, 2010, 04:17:27 pm
I hear what you're saying, but I want to make meals as it's so much easier.

I will stick to the lower ratio and eat more fat if I need to though.