I am 60 and I’ve been tested at higher cholesterol for a few years but my BMI is just slightly overweight. Then my blood test a couple months ago said elevated blood sugar levels. The doctor wasn’t saying to put me on anything but I knew the time was NOW to fix things. Absolutely cut out sugar and didn’t replace it with anything. I just wanted to see how it went. Started walking 2 1/2 miles a day. Two months later I have dropped 11 pounds and I feel absolutely terrific. My rosacea has cleared up and life is good. I “fell off the wagon” last weekend with a birthday party and …..felt like crap for a few days. That certainly made me a believer! Eliminate sugar and start walking! I am so glad I’m on the right path.
Awesome topic. Thank you. You (WE! in US) have an uphill battle with the USDA/FDA all geared up to maximize profits for farmers and food processing companies. The standardized US food nutrition label is really set up to be ignored and mislead with their "per serving" information. We I look forward to your future posts. Also..... Happy holiday season Mr Highley... best to you and yours.
Worst part is that the farmers are actually not getting that much from their labor. They are getting very little due to fees from corporations that require exclusive contracts. Since they are realistically the only distributors, farmers have no choice but to comply.
I work out and run and try to stay in shape. But it’s very hard for people. It takes time and a lot of willpower and patience. But what you’re saying is spot on but still hard. Especially when they’re looking at you. You’re handsome and in great shape. That makes us all cringe. I’m not making fun of you just saying you are in great shape. I have people ask me how I can stay in shape and I tell them it wasn’t always like that so keep working I’m behind you. Thanks as always great inspiration
Running is great for your cardiovascular health. I run or swim every day, do weight training twice a week, and try to cook my own meals as much as possible. Meal prepping is definitely an important skill for busy people who want to be healthy. That way you can ensure certain portion sizes as well as the proper macronutrient and micronutrient profiles to meet your goals. As a bonus, making food yourself is a lot cheaper than buying fast food.
Definitely not saying these things are easy, my goal, with all my videos, is to help people live a healthier and happier life - genetics, fortunately or unfortunately, currently cannot be changed so I prefer to focus on what can be changed (in all my videos). I’m behind you too! Thanks for watching and the nice words!
Thanks so much for a reply. I guess I didn’t think you even read the replies, that takes time. I apologize I wasn’t by any means criticizing your wonderful work I wouldn’t do that. This is a very difficult subject for many. I teach part time biology at college and trust me I get all kinds of criticism. Thanks so much for your response and I still will keep watching your videos they are top notch. Thanks Zach
Your videos are always informative and very helpful! The moment I clicked on it and saw it's from you--I said aah there he is with another bang on info! Keep illuminating us Zach!!! ❤️ Marry Christmas in advance 🎉🎉
Thank you doc, for bringing hope to the hopeless souls like myself. 😊 Got dropped outta med school last year in the last year of med school for failing to pay the tuition fee on time. Left devastated with no clear plans in life ahead. Bumped into your videos and I've watched all most all your videos where you talked about quiting medicine. Still have got no clearer path ahead, waiting to see if I can get back to med school to at least finish up the med school and get a transcript. I would love to see if you've got any suggestions or advise. Again thank you for all the good work you're doing.
I have recently made some drastic changes to my lifestyle (food & exercise habits) & most of the things align with your advice, so I can safely conclude that I'm on the right path. ❤ BTW, can you kindly provide the list of articles/research papers so that I could also go through them & make some notes to share within my circle? It will be much appreciated. 🙏🏼
Those are some startling statistics you have laid out. I think part of the reason why Americans eat large portion sizes and highly processed foods is that we are just very busy. Between juggling work and family obligations, Americans simply don't have time to cook. Instead Americans get food on the outside which is often very processed and comes in large portions.
08:47 💯% true. When I was a kid, I was drinking Ice Tea at every meal, and I was way overweight. When I replaced that with natural water, without changing anything else, I started losing weight. That motivated me to cut on deserts as-well and to be more active, now I have a healthy weight.
Hey Zac, although India eats 25 times lesser sugar than US, it is the diabetic capital of the world (way way more diabetes cases in India compared to US and people are struggling with type 2 diabetes). As most people are vegetarian over there they consume a lot of carbs. I know this as I have lived over there.
People are overweight because of carbohydrate addiction. If you develop that pot belly in middle age, you are insulin resistant and cannot tolerate carbohydrates. This leads to metabolic syndrome and ultimately Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be the catalyst for a plethora of different diseases. I lost 50 pounds on carnivore diet and have never been so thin in all of my life and I'm 67 (most of my peers have pot bellies). Cutting proportions in half is nonsense. If you eat high glycemic carbs you will still be hungry and ultimately over eat. You want to cut carbs out of your diet totally. Carbs do not create satiety, they make you hungrier. Any food that makes you hungrier is toxic because one of the purposes of eating is to produce satiety. If a food makes you hungrier it will make you fatter and fatter until it ultimately kills you. Carbohydrates are unfit for human consumption. Contrary to mythical belief, carnivore diet is totally effortless and VERY sustainable. There have been countless testimonials on how a Ketogenic (carnivore) diet can also diminish or resolve chronic diseases. EATING REFINED CARBOHYDRATES IS MAKING AMERICA FAT. Reducing proportion sizes is not going to resolve the issue. That idea is overly simplistic and patently absurd.
Zach I totally agree with everything you said, but I have a question. Do you think that anything will ever change? Do you think America will cut their portion sizes in half, eat less sugar, and exercise more? Or do you think it will only continue to get worse and worse? What is your opinion on this?
great video, but I the maths at 7:00 is incorrect. The 60% increase does not compare you to other people, it compares your risk before and after consuming. If this morning you woke up with a 1% risk of becoming obese by the end of the day, and you then drank 2 sodas, your risk of obesity at bedtime would then be 1.6%, regardless of anybody else's risk of obesity. Maybe that other person has a higher percent risk (say 10%), then after the same kind of day, their risk of becoming obese goes up to 16%. I think that's reasonable---it means a person who is already borderline obese, has "the genes", and consumes sugar always carries a higher risk than a healthier individual who maybe has a one-off sugar binge. For sure, please correct me if I've also gotten it wrong.
I think my math is correct! Aren’t we referring to the same thing, this was longitudinal as well as a cross-sectional meta analysis. The 60% number is an odds ratio, which means exactly what you are saying above! For every sugar sweetened beverages drank your chances are 1.6x others. So, using 10% in your example, 16%. The multiple studies references were cohorts (“controlled”) for various things such as sex and age but you are correct, they could not control for genetics but given the power (n) of the study the results are still profound. The linked study referenced here: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210834/#:~:text=For%20each%20additional%20serving%20of,2.24%3B%20P%20%3D%200.02).
This video is inspiring. 😊 I will definitely try to work on getting ready for this upcoming Spring Wish me lucky on my journey S Hopefully it's smoothe sailing lol ⛵️
Great video, Zach! I’m a med student volunteering as head author for a scientific article set to be published around spring 2025. The article aims to explore various factors contributing to the benzodiazepine "pandemic" in North America, contrasting its availability and regulatory approaches with those in other countries continents. Perhaps an idea for a future video? It's something I'm very passionate about, would love to know what you think about it.
Very cool! Would love to see it! I would be interested in the abuse statistics and consequences of various levels of abuse financially and on health broken down by demographics/inciting event/initial prescribing indication. Let me know how it goes!
Sleep, if you sleep like 4 or 5 hoursmakesyour hungry. And to siurvive you eat more fat and sugar to survive. If your working 3 jobs and have 4 hours sleep is killing.
Your video touches on a lot of great idea and reasons behind why Americans are overweight, but I wish you talked more about the systemic factors that are unique to Americans that we face on a daily basis. What about the large socioeconomic disparities and lack of access to resources to healthier foods for lower income and historically marginalized communities? Lack of SNAP and EBT usage? What about the lack of urban infrastructure or recreational spaces in america that contribute to less exercise adherence? Food swamps, heat island, and food deserts? What about the lack of preventative care and weight stigma in american healthcare? (you touch on this a little bit) You focus solely on 3 so-called "flashy" factors that are easy to blame and attribute to obesity and for reasons of Americans being overweight, but fail to recognize the complexities of WHY these factors you share come to fruition. This is a core aspect of why public health exists and is there to better understand the nuances of health in the context of our environment.
its not normal. You don't have to be calvin klein but this is the only obstacle Surrounding me in the US. It saddens me to experience this in the south and center.
I am 60 and I’ve been tested at higher cholesterol for a few years but my BMI is just slightly overweight. Then my blood test a couple months ago said elevated blood sugar levels. The doctor wasn’t saying to put me on anything but I knew the time was NOW to fix things. Absolutely cut out sugar and didn’t replace it with anything. I just wanted to see how it went. Started walking 2 1/2 miles a day. Two months later I have dropped 11 pounds and I feel absolutely terrific. My rosacea has cleared up and life is good. I “fell off the wagon” last weekend with a birthday party and …..felt like crap for a few days. That certainly made me a believer! Eliminate sugar and start walking! I am so glad I’m on the right path.
Awesome topic. Thank you. You (WE! in US) have an uphill battle with the USDA/FDA all geared up to maximize profits for farmers and food processing companies. The standardized US food nutrition label is really set up to be ignored and mislead with their "per serving" information. We I look forward to your future posts. Also..... Happy holiday season Mr Highley... best to you and yours.
Worst part is that the farmers are actually not getting that much from their labor. They are getting very little due to fees from corporations that require exclusive contracts. Since they are realistically the only distributors, farmers have no choice but to comply.
A phenomenal video! Thank you so much! Such a great coverage of this very important topic! Thanks Zach! Keep going and looking for the next parts!
I work out and run and try to stay in shape. But it’s very hard for people. It takes time and a lot of willpower and patience. But what you’re saying is spot on but still hard. Especially when they’re looking at you. You’re handsome and in great shape. That makes us all cringe. I’m not making fun of you just saying you are in great shape. I have people ask me how I can stay in shape and I tell them it wasn’t always like that so keep working I’m behind you. Thanks as always great inspiration
Running is great for your cardiovascular health. I run or swim every day, do weight training twice a week, and try to cook my own meals as much as possible. Meal prepping is definitely an important skill for busy people who want to be healthy. That way you can ensure certain portion sizes as well as the proper macronutrient and micronutrient profiles to meet your goals. As a bonus, making food yourself is a lot cheaper than buying fast food.
Definitely not saying these things are easy, my goal, with all my videos, is to help people live a healthier and happier life - genetics, fortunately or unfortunately, currently cannot be changed so I prefer to focus on what can be changed (in all my videos). I’m behind you too! Thanks for watching and the nice words!
Thanks so much for a reply. I guess I didn’t think you even read the replies, that takes time. I apologize I wasn’t by any means criticizing your wonderful work I wouldn’t do that. This is a very difficult subject for many. I teach part time biology at college and trust me I get all kinds of criticism. Thanks so much for your response and I still will keep watching your videos they are top notch. Thanks Zach
Your videos are always informative and very helpful!
The moment I clicked on it and saw it's from you--I said aah there he is with another bang on info!
Keep illuminating us Zach!!! ❤️
Marry Christmas in advance 🎉🎉
Thanks Stefan, Merry Christmas!
I try to avoid SAD as much as possible. (Standard American Diet) Although I do struggle with portion sizes and lack of vigorous exercise.
Another amazing video, Zach! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers from Brazil!
Thanks!
Thank you doc, for bringing hope to the hopeless souls like myself. 😊 Got dropped outta med school last year in the last year of med school for failing to pay the tuition fee on time. Left devastated with no clear plans in life ahead. Bumped into your videos and I've watched all most all your videos where you talked about quiting medicine. Still have got no clearer path ahead, waiting to see if I can get back to med school to at least finish up the med school and get a transcript. I would love to see if you've got any suggestions or advise. Again thank you for all the good work you're doing.
This too shall pass my friend! Keep me updated.
@@ZachHighley thank you, doc for your kind words.
I have recently made some drastic changes to my lifestyle (food & exercise habits) & most of the things align with your advice, so I can safely conclude that I'm on the right path. ❤
BTW, can you kindly provide the list of articles/research papers so that I could also go through them & make some notes to share within my circle? It will be much appreciated. 🙏🏼
Thanks for watching! Yes they are all listed under my web article here: zhighley.com/why-all-americans-are-fat-and-how-its-killing-us/
Great video! I struggle with sugary drinks, but I am trying to defer more towards water w/ flavoring packets as a start.
Those are some startling statistics you have laid out. I think part of the reason why Americans eat large portion sizes and highly processed foods is that we are just very busy. Between juggling work and family obligations, Americans simply don't have time to cook. Instead Americans get food on the outside which is often very processed and comes in large portions.
Definitely, I’ll touch on those things in part 2!
Australia is going the same way but groceries are so expensive now that is having an impact on people being healthier . Keep up the good work
Up to 14 years?!!! Jeez! Thank you for this wake-up call Zach.. We all need videos like these.
❤
Right?? Thanks for watching!
Excelent content Zach 👍
Awesome videos man.
Thanks for the good advices.
🌍🌟💯
Thank you sir!
08:47 💯% true. When I was a kid, I was drinking Ice Tea at every meal, and I was way overweight. When I replaced that with natural water, without changing anything else, I started losing weight. That motivated me to cut on deserts as-well and to be more active, now I have a healthy weight.
The iced tea (or Arnold palmers for me) was the craziest thing!
Hey Zac, although India eats 25 times lesser sugar than US, it is the diabetic capital of the world (way way more diabetes cases in India compared to US and people are struggling with type 2 diabetes). As most people are vegetarian over there they consume a lot of carbs. I know this as I have lived over there.
Could you link the statistics you mention?
@@lilg2300 youtube does not allow me to put in links over here (they get deleted). Please google it up.
People are overweight because of carbohydrate addiction. If you develop that pot belly in middle age, you are insulin resistant and cannot tolerate carbohydrates. This leads to metabolic syndrome and ultimately Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be the catalyst for a plethora of different diseases. I lost 50 pounds on carnivore diet and have never been so thin in all of my life and I'm 67 (most of my peers have pot bellies). Cutting proportions in half is nonsense. If you eat high glycemic carbs you will still be hungry and ultimately over eat. You want to cut carbs out of your diet totally. Carbs do not create satiety, they make you hungrier. Any food that makes you hungrier is toxic because one of the purposes of eating is to produce satiety. If a food makes you hungrier it will make you fatter and fatter until it ultimately kills you. Carbohydrates are unfit for human consumption. Contrary to mythical belief, carnivore diet is totally effortless and VERY sustainable. There have been countless testimonials on how a Ketogenic (carnivore) diet can also diminish or resolve chronic diseases. EATING REFINED CARBOHYDRATES IS MAKING AMERICA FAT. Reducing proportion sizes is not going to resolve the issue. That idea is overly simplistic and patently absurd.
Carnivore diet can cause colon cancer due to less fiber
Zach I totally agree with everything you said, but I have a question. Do you think that anything will ever change? Do you think America will cut their portion sizes in half, eat less sugar, and exercise more? Or do you think it will only continue to get worse and worse? What is your opinion on this?
Great content.
Thank you!
I wonder how to cut back on portion sizes while also feeling satiated and full.
india brown unprocessed sugar is used❤so white processed sugar is minimally consumed❤ all you share here truth and may all watch this video
as a US img i had a good detox from sugar living in india for a decade❤🎉keep going doc😮
great video, but I the maths at 7:00 is incorrect. The 60% increase does not compare you to other people, it compares your risk before and after consuming. If this morning you woke up with a 1% risk of becoming obese by the end of the day, and you then drank 2 sodas, your risk of obesity at bedtime would then be 1.6%, regardless of anybody else's risk of obesity. Maybe that other person has a higher percent risk (say 10%), then after the same kind of day, their risk of becoming obese goes up to 16%. I think that's reasonable---it means a person who is already borderline obese, has "the genes", and consumes sugar always carries a higher risk than a healthier individual who maybe has a one-off sugar binge. For sure, please correct me if I've also gotten it wrong.
I think my math is correct! Aren’t we referring to the same thing, this was longitudinal as well as a cross-sectional meta analysis. The 60% number is an odds ratio, which means exactly what you are saying above! For every sugar sweetened beverages drank your chances are 1.6x others. So, using 10% in your example, 16%. The multiple studies references were cohorts (“controlled”) for various things such as sex and age but you are correct, they could not control for genetics but given the power (n) of the study the results are still profound.
The linked study referenced here: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3210834/#:~:text=For%20each%20additional%20serving%20of,2.24%3B%20P%20%3D%200.02).
Everyone should watch a movie called Sugar (2014), it explains a lot of things about obesity and diabetes.
I'll check it out!
This video is inspiring.
😊 I will definitely try to work on getting ready for this upcoming Spring
Wish me lucky on my journey
S
Hopefully it's smoothe sailing lol ⛵️
Good luck! Let me know how it goes.
@ZachHighley I sure will. 😀
Great video, Zach! I’m a med student volunteering as head author for a scientific article set to be published around spring 2025. The article aims to explore various factors contributing to the benzodiazepine "pandemic" in North America, contrasting its availability and regulatory approaches with those in other countries continents. Perhaps an idea for a future video? It's something I'm very passionate about, would love to know what you think about it.
Very cool! Would love to see it! I would be interested in the abuse statistics and consequences of various levels of abuse financially and on health broken down by demographics/inciting event/initial prescribing indication. Let me know how it goes!
Sleep, if you sleep like 4 or 5 hoursmakesyour hungry. And to siurvive you eat more fat and sugar to survive. If your working 3 jobs and have 4 hours sleep is killing.
Your arms are looking 🔥
Your video touches on a lot of great idea and reasons behind why Americans are overweight, but I wish you talked more about the systemic factors that are unique to Americans that we face on a daily basis. What about the large socioeconomic disparities and lack of access to resources to healthier foods for lower income and historically marginalized communities? Lack of SNAP and EBT usage? What about the lack of urban infrastructure or recreational spaces in america that contribute to less exercise adherence? Food swamps, heat island, and food deserts? What about the lack of preventative care and weight stigma in american healthcare? (you touch on this a little bit) You focus solely on 3 so-called "flashy" factors that are easy to blame and attribute to obesity and for reasons of Americans being overweight, but fail to recognize the complexities of WHY these factors you share come to fruition. This is a core aspect of why public health exists and is there to better understand the nuances of health in the context of our environment.
Hey, agreed completely that’s why this is just part 1! Part 2 I will touch on many if not all of those things.
You are being a TRUE Dr!!!
🎉🎉🎉🎉
First ❤🙂
11th
Hey zachh really appreciate yout content pls tag me
How do you tag on TH-cam?
I knew it that we would compare sugar with India. i bave been tired teaching people here to eat less sugar. 😅😅😅
WTF. Who says pasta like that?
Probably a white guy from Philadelphia 💀
?
Eat more Meat
I can cut down on sugary drinks, but I can't give up brownies - my fav! 😁🤎
its not normal. You don't have to be calvin klein but this is the only obstacle Surrounding me in the US. It saddens me to experience this in the south and center.