Advice and Confidence - Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely has some truely amazing and shocking revelations on his site here, but since I have spent the last few months trading I was particularly interested in these 2 articles,

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/predictably-irrational/200907/the-value-advice

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/predictably-irrational/200907/were-more-swayed-confidence-expertise

The bottom line is, advice from sources we presume to be more informed than us pretty much shuts down our brains own decision making machinery.

Also, we find confidence far more seducing than expertise.

Thigh, Bum and Belly Fat Differentials

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20682685

This study suggests that overall flux of fat into thigh/bum area is less easily done as compared into the belly area, and the belly area more easily takes up dietary fat compared to thigh/bum fat.

2,4-Dinitrophenol - The anti obesity drug thats been known since 1930

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20953861

This report makes for a very interesting read and it looks like uncoupling proteins could be the answer for fat loss.

Brain administration of leptin causes deletion of adipocytes by apoptosis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9449655

Mechanism of amino acid-induced skeletal muscle insulin resistance in humans

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11872656

"Plasma concentrations of amino acids are frequently elevated in insulin-resistant states, and a protein-enriched diet can impair glucose metabolism"

"In conclusion, plasma amino acid elevation induces skeletal muscle insulin resistance in humans by inhibition of glucose transport/phosphorylation, resulting in marked reduction of glycogen synthesis"

Surplus dietary tryptophan inhibits stress hormone kinetics and induces insulin resistance in pigs

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19615391

"In conclusion, long-term feeding of surplus dietary TRP inhibits both baseline adrenocortical and sympathetic nervous system activity, it induces insulin resistance for both glucose and amino acid clearance but it does not affect whole body protein catabolism"

Move support not to over-indulge in the protein.

Low-carbohydrate diet disrupts the association between insulin resistance and weight gain.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19439329

"the heavier animals that were fed LFD had impairment in insulin sensitivity, which was not observed in those fed LCD"

"The weight gain in animals fed LCD may be related to their greater caloric intake, lower levels of glucagon-like peptide-1, and higher protein consumption"

"The adoption of LCD promotes a unique metabolic state that prevents insulin resistance, even in guinea pigs that gained more weight."

"The association between weight gain and insulin resistance seems to be dependent on high carbohydrate intake"