There has been a major shift in the way we think and should act with our diets.

This change has come about because we can now measure muscle mass in relation to fat mass.

The first marker of ageing is muscle mass and the former recommendations of a diet high in fruit and vegetables now needs to be balanced with more protein and less of the high glycogenic carbohydrates like bread and pasta.

This balance is known as the Zone diet, of which Carbohydrates make up 40% of your intake, Proteins 30% and Fats 30%. i.e. 40:30:30%

As a rough guide, your protein amount should be the size and thickness of the palm of your hand with a slightly larger amount for carbohydrates. Fats make up about a large finger size of good fat contained in nuts, avocado etc.

If you remain on a high carbohydrate diet you may end up what is known as Sarcopenic obesity. This is when you have a thin body that has very little muscle and high fat ratio . This is not a healthy result as the engine of your body is the muscle.

The best weight loss diet (backed by CSIRO research) increases the protein to 50% of your intake and decreases carbohydrates to 20% and the fat to 30%. This ratio allows the loss of fat while maintaining muscle mass.

At my clinic I measure the body mass index with the Biocom (B I A) machine to determine the amount of each clients muscle ratio and the amount of protein required.

This is known as the Ketogenic fat loss system. More information can be found on www.ketosystem.com.au