Have u guys ever heard of this? I have not! whaddya think?
Fast oxidizers are in a more sympathetic state or fight-or-flight mode of body chemistry. This condition is characterized by excessive adrenal and thyroid glandular activity. In a few cases, this is what is called true fast oxidation. In most instances, however, it is a temporary state of irritation caused by the presence of toxic metals or other toxic substances that stimulate the glandular system and the autonomic nervous system.
Fast oxidizers may lose weight by burning their food at an excessive rate. However, weight gain is more often the rule. For example, many of the people with Syndrome X and carbohydrate problems are fast oxidizers. These people usually gain weight around the waist and in the upper body such as the chest. This is called the ?apple-shapedπ pattern of weight gain, often seen in men with a large belly and thin legs.
This is a direct effect of cortisone and cortisol secretion by the adrenal glands. It is a mild form of Cushingπs syndrome, the condition of overactive adrenal glands. Cortisone and cortisol cause fat deposition, especially in the abdomen and shoulders, where the fat pad is called a ?buffalo humpπ. Fast oxidizers are prone to this condition.
Fast oxidizers may also retain water. This occurs because their tissue sodium levels are elevated above normal. Elevated sodium tends to cause water retention as a compensatory mechanism. Such individuals often have a fleshy, somewhat flabby appearance, even though they may have strong muscles. They do not have good muscle definition, but instead have a more water-logged bodily appearance.
Fast oxidizers are especially prone to water retention when they overeat on carbohydrate foods. They may lose considerable weight quickly when they switch to a diet low in all carbohydrates, and especially low in refined grains and sugars.
Fast oxidizers require more zinc in their diets to offset their high sodium levels. Carbohydrates deplete their zinc, which causes their sodium level to rise further. They do much better on more meats, which contain zinc. This, in turn, helps lower their high sodium level. Carbohydrates also break down into water, which may further contribute to their water-logged appearance and excessive weight. Carbohydrate consumption also stimulates insulin production which can lead to fat deposition. Fast oxidizers should have lower insulin levels for optimum health.
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." ~Mark Twain
My endocrinologist said my buffalo hump, between my shoulder blades, was caused by hormones. Doc lipoed it and it's gone, but I hated that thing. I always wore my hair long to cover it. And I don't swell as much as Lori, but let me eat carbs and I'm bloated like a beached whale.
Now I'm going to have to look into this. Cushing's Disease and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are very similar in symptoms. Thanks for bringing this up Neece.
Mary 
I have that god damn hump! It's much smaller now that I'm 100 pounds lighter, but I've got it too!!! I hate that thing. Always wondered if I had Cushings disease. Never bothered to get checked for it. Heh..
Well, this just adds more fuel to the fire that Atkin's is what I should be doing right now. I got on the damn scale this morning and saw 285 - 3.something more than I was on Monday. I have my period, so that's why, and logically, I know that, but all morning I've been doubting myself, wondering "Am I on the right diet?"
Let me vent for one second:
I hate this **** I hate hating myself. I hate hating my body. I hate feeling embarassed to pass people in the hall ways at my job. I hate feeling embarassed to walk into stores. I hate being embarassed about what I look like.
Like I said, I have my period, so that's why I'm so moody.
Grrr....
Jillian was the first and only media reference to sodium levels adverseley affecting weight loss (past the usual water retention stuff). She upped the sodium on a chick last season, and I never knew why. Still don't know why after reading this article.
Very fascinating!
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." ~Mark Twain
Thank you for bringing this up. How I could have missed it is beyond me, but what I'm not understanding is what to do about it.
I have that hump.... it's not as pronounced with 100 lbs off, but it IS there. What's standing out even more in my mind is that my brother had a HUGE.. and I mean HUGE hump! Of course his top weight was over 650 lbs.. but I rememer that hump being there when he weighed under three. The doctors told him it was a goiter.. again.. something I don't comprehend so we'd spend HOURS rubbing and rubbing it thinking that it was some sort of fluid accumulation that we could massage in order to redistribute whatever was in there.
Hindsight is 20/20 I guess.... but this is deifnitely something I need to look into further..
We all know I'm not the brightest bulb in the box so If you have a more simple way of explaining what this means, or how to treat it... I'd appreciate hearing it.
Wish Andy would pipe in here. Wonder if Duke ever brought this up.
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." ~Mark Twain
But this is what I gleaned from the real docs, and it's hard to figure because they discuss slow oxidation in the same articles as fast oxidation.
Fast oxidizers are low in Copper and Zinc. One of the things I'm doing wrong is taking too many B vitamins. B12 is the only one important to fast oxidizers. So I am starting on Zinc today and ditching the B vitamins. Apparently the sodium we build up in our bodies absorbs our Zinc and Copper and makes us swell. Oh, and it makes our skin salty. Good Lawd, when I sweat, it tastes like sal****er! So apparently we are supposed to avoid table salt and eat sea salt when we start to heal. But fast oxidizers crave salt because our bodies take it all...especially under stress. No wonder I love cucumber salad with loads of salt.
Atkins is part of the cure. Even the doc who doesn't like Atkins said that fast oxidizers do well on this diet. So if I got anything out of this, it's take Zinc supplements at the very least.
Mary
