I recently saw Megyn Kelly interview Dr. Sean O’Mara, medical doctor, former doctor in the White House and former lawyer. I was certainly intrigued with his diet and lifestyle beliefs as a lot of what he believes I already had an affinity for. It was mentioned that Robert Kennedy and others in government positions were following this particular diet. Almost immediately I ordered Dr. O’Mara’s book entitled Growing Better Not Older: How to biologically optimize your body, improve your appearance, and crush you goals by targeting visceral fat.
Basically, the premise of his lifestyle approach is to eliminate visceral fat around one’s internal organs by various means such as: stopping the ingestion of processed foods, eat a diet primarily of grass finished red meats, ingest a smorgasbord of fermented foods, do short intense workouts as opposed to hour long slower stints, and to fast regularly in addition to other biohacks such as sunlight, saunas, and drinking reverse osmosis water.
Dr. O’Mara explains that the visceral fat around our organs is even more life threatening than obvious external fat. I am a perfect candidate as I have always been thin, but have exhibited annoying disproportionate belly fat that never lessens no matter what exercise or diet I have tried. I had recently even booked a consultation for cool sculpting, which hopefully I will no longer need to pursue. Dr. O’Mara calls someone like me TOFI, thin on the outside, fat on the inside.
After seven years of government granted research Dr. O’Mara claims he has found ways to eliminate this visceral fat that virtually nobody is talking about. To determine the amount and areas of visceral fat and the potential damage to blood vessels, one can opt to schedule a whole-body MRI. For me personally, to pay $1500 out of pocket and to be claustrophobic in my least favorite medical testing machine is not a preferable option. I am going to assume that my body contains visceral fat, based on my level of abdominal fat, my diabetes and blood pressure issues, and the fact that no other way of eating has relieved me fully of my multitude of pain and digestive symptoms.
I like the idea of all the fermented foods as I have spent hundreds of dollars over the years on every brand of probiotics without any true restoration of my microbiome. I like the fact that his diet is primarily protein and fat based, eliminating carbohydrates, which is especially advantageous for someone with diabetes. I have tried keto diet twice with some positive benefits; I am now going to search out a local medical doctor who will support me as I have had mostly naysaying in the past. Also, I would like to have support with fasting, as while I know it is a healthy practice for many people, I have been wary due to my diabetes.
I am transitioning slowly. I didn’t realize how many processed foods I was eating: lectin-free pasta, collagen protein powder, sourdough bread and gluten-free tortillas. I am back to making my own yogurt, finding new cheeses and meats, and gradually finding what works for me personally.
As far as Dr. O’Mara’s exercise plan he recommends short sprints instead of lengthy jogging or gym sessions. I am happy to be moving my body faster, doing fast as possible uphill walks on soft surfaces of grass or dirt, so as not to aggravate my life-long sciatica. I hope to be healthy enough to eventually sprint for short durations, as that was my love in my younger years.
Aside from diet and exercise, Dr. O’Mara’s book includes tips for better sleep, tips for creating a more natural home and bedroom environment, eliminating toxins, and cold thermogenesis which I have previously learned about being good for pain reduction and benefitting the cellular mitochondria.
I truly believe that Dr. O’Mara’s diet will become popular in this day and age when people are waking up to learning that statins are not great. Even though the particular foods he recommends may not seem as yummy as what the typical sugar and junk food palettes are familiar with and actually addicted to, he claims that in time one’s taste buds change as one’s energy and vitality increase.