“The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”

Thomas A. Edison

Thank you for visiting www.weightloss-camp.co.uk

www.weightloss-camp.co.uk

All foods used come from local organic suppliers and producers. We believe in using the highest quality ingredients to produce simple quality meals. 

Our recipes  are devised by consultant chef, Allegra McEvedy MBE, co-founder  Leon restaurants, writer of numerous books, magazine articles and presenter of several TV food and cookery programmes.

However, as each participant’s diet and meal plan is designed according to a personalised plan, it is not possible to give a list of meals.

Carbohydrates provide glucose - the primary fuel for our muscles and brain. An inconsistent supply of glucose causes fatigue, irritability and poor concentration.

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas in response to raised blood sugar.  Insulin directs this blood sugar to the cells of your body, particularly muscle and brain cells for energy. When these cells become unresponsive to insulin they are said to be resistant.  Although the exact mechanism of this resistance is still not clear, the most important risk factor is known to be abdominal fat.  Fat produces hormones called adipokines which are known to reduce metabolic rate and increase inflammation.  As cells become more resistant to insulin, your blood sugar levels increase and so your body releases more insulin.  These higher insulin levels lead to more sugar being stored as fat (and also prevents fat being broken down) making it very hard to lose weight. This can result in a condition known as Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X.  There are various methods of diagnosing metabolic syndrome but a simple criteria is if you can answer yes to three or more of the following:

Waist measurement more than 34in for women or more than 40in for men.

Blood glucose level more than 6mmol/l before breakfast.

Blood pressure 130/85 or higher

HDL (good) cholesterol less than 1.3mmol/l for women or 1mmol/l for men.

Struggle to lose weight even when eating a reduced calorie diet.

Proteins provide amino acids - the building blocks for muscle, collagen, neuropeptides and neurotransmitters. Neuropeptides are messenger substances that allow your cells and body systems to communicate. The type of neuropeptide produced is determined by the emotion or feelings you are experiencing at that instant (happiness, sadness, optimism, pessimism etc.). These neuropeptide messengers are released into you blood stream and therefore affect your whole body. Too little or the wrong ratio of amino acids in your diet can lead to anxiety, depression and fatigue.

Even more interestingly, these neuropeptide messengers are also produced in response to the food we eat, the way we breath and even the way we stand and move.  So simply by walking in a slouched way, looking at the ground and not smiling your body will produce emotions that are low, glum or depressed.  Conversely by walking with good upright posture, with energy and with a smile, your body will produce emotions of brightness, optimism and happiness.

Fats provide essential fatty acids - omega 3, 6 and 9 EFAs.  Omega 3 and 6 EFAs are used to form the insulating layer around nerve cells (the myelin sheath). EFAs are converted into prostaglandins which are important for controlling inflammation (interestingly aspirin works in a similar metabolic way), hormone balance and regulating neurotransmitters. They are also important for the production of phospholipids which form   cell membranes and allow substances to pass in and out of every cell in the body.  

Saturated fats (commonly seen as the ‘bad fats) are used to form cholesterol which in the right quantity is essential for proper digestion, however an excess is converted into arachidonic acid which produces an inflammatory response in the body.  Unfortunately an excess of omega 6 EFAs (compared to omega 3 EFAs) are also converted into inflammatory arachidonic acid.  Modern diets contain far more refined oils, meat and processed foods than even a hundred years ago and leading to far more inflammatory type diseases.

The popular quote “What is food to one man is bitter poison to others” (Lucretius) perfectly illustrates that, although a food or diet may in itself be perfectly healthy, each person’s individual genetic and environmental programming will determine what suits them best.  It is not just about the foods that are eaten but in what ratio of carbohydrate, protein and fats they should be eaten to optimise the individual’s health, mood and vitality.

Metabolic typing is a method for determining the dominant form of metabolic processing for each person - the ratio of carbohydrates, protein and fat that your body is designed to run on.

There are three main metabolic types:

Carb type or slow oxidiser - thrives on approx 70% carbohydrates, 20% protein, 10% fat

Protein type or fast oxidiser - thrives on about 40% protein, 30% carbohydrates, 30% fats

Mixed type or mixed oxidiser - thrives on about 50% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 20% fats

Comprehensive questionnaires are used to determine your metabolic type.

Just to complicate things a bit more, many people are allergic or intolerant to some foods.  It is important to identify and avoid these foods to minimise adverse effects.

Inflammation is your body’s normal response to injury or infection - sending certain chemicals, enzymes and white blood cells to fight off infection and rebuild an injured area.  However, poor diet, stress and even lack of sleep can result in this system being inefficient and not switching on and off correctly leading to chronic inflammation related disease like arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, colitis, psoriasis, Alzheimer’s and even cancer (Oncology 16 2002).

Natural anti-inflammatories include omega-3 EFAs (from fish, nuts, flaxseed, grass-fed organic meat and milk, green vegetables), flavanoids (from berries, beans, avocados, vegetables), green tea, bromelain (extracted from pineapple and its stem), vitamin C, E and the amino acid DLPA (DL-phenylalanine).

High levels of sugar released into your blood from your diet stimulates the release of insulin from your pancreas which also releases a hormone call PGE2.  Unfortunately PGE2 also increases inflammatory activity in your body.

We are happy to organise bespoke workshops for groups or corporate clients. Please CONTACT US to discuss your requirements.

Home     Training     Locations     Dates & Prices     Contact Us     Blog

Terms of Use

Privacy

Contact Us

Booking Terms and Conditions