Let's face it there are tons of unnatural chemicals in our foods. Some are added directly, such as preservatives, coloring agents, and flavor enhancers, while others come from chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and drugs mixed into the feed of animals we eat or consume products from (eggs, milk, etc). Many experts are pointing their fingers at these chemicals as the source of the current obesity epidemic... but are they really to blame?

In a world filled with get-thin-quick schemes and easy-way-out fitness, I always try to evaluate things from a quasi-scientific perspective. Clearly we don't have the resources to really study each fitness trend using rigorous scientific methods, but we can at least examine the facts derived from real scientific studies to try to make a determination. Are the chemicals to blame? What happened to calories?

Overall this is going to be a difficult determination to make, because hard data is limited. But we do know some things. We know that cultures without refined sugars have far less incidence of heart disease, diabetes, and a whole host of other common disorders prevalent in more industrialized societies. We also know that as soon as those cultures obtain cereal grains and other refined sugars, their incidence of disease increases along with their consumption until it roughly matches the norms of the refined-sugar eating world.

This trend may speak to calorie density and refined sugars, but not necessarily to chemicals. So are the chemicals making us fat or is this just an excuse we use to take the blame off those who live sedentary lifestyles and/or over-indulge in high-calorie, highly refined foods?

I think the answer is a little bit of both. Clearly you can get fat from high-calorie, natural foods if you eat enough of them and are not active. So it can't just be chemicals. On the other hand, you can stay thin eating moderate amounts of chemical-laden, modern foods. Perhaps this isn't the optimal way to live, but there are millions of people who live highly active lives and eat basically anything they want in moderation and still maintain a healthy weight.

There are so many factors that go into the current state of our health in the United States and other similarly industrialized cultures that it's difficult to pinpoint the exact causes of this obesity epidemic. One thing is for sure... the epidemic follows our eating habits as our big brand foods and drinks sweep around the world.

One trend that does seem to correlate is that of soda consumption. And while you might make the argument enzyme-treated corn sugar (resulting in high-fructose corn syrup) is a chemical, it really just makes the argument against high-calorie and high-sugar diets stronger. But, the fact that diet sodas have been shown to have the same obesity risks as regular soda certainly sells the point that chemicals in our foods are dangerous and may lead to obesity (much less cancer and other illness).

So where can we turn for definitive answers? Unfortunately it could be decades or even longer before we can really determine what our current food chemicals are doing to our bodies. By then it may be too late for those consuming the chemicals.

One of the most important things I can tell you as a health and fitness coach (a so-called expert) is that there really are no true experts. We simply do not know enough about food science and the body to accurately assess what all of the substances we put into our bodies are doing in the long-term. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either mistaken or trying to sell you their miracle cure.

If you're looking for some real weight loss answers, with step-by-step advice on how to get in shape and live a healthier lifestyle, try my Three Weeks to Thrive weight loss program. There's no expensive gadgets, no ridiculous cleansing rituals, no dangerous pills, and no over-priced foods to buy. It's just 21 days worth of solid health and fitness information, organized to make the process of adopting a healthier lifestyle easier.

Another key link in the food-chemical-calorie chain leading to obesity can be found in comparing those who live on high-fat, high-protein diets in pastoral environments. Oddly enough those who consume large quantities of animal fat and protein from grass-fed, free range sources do not tend toward obesity as our modern culture now does.

The reasons behind this go far beyond growth hormones and antibiotics. It's all about the very composition of the fat (and possibly other macro or micronutrients). It boils down to the fact that what animals are fed makes a huge difference in the quality of the meat and eggs that come from those animals.

And this extends to plants as well. The soil plants are grown in and the fertilizers used impact the nutrients in the plants. It's been shown that plants grown in less naturally fertile soil (with the help of chemical fertilizers) tend to have less vitamins and antioxidants. This is another testament to how little we truly know about our planet.

An open question would be how do the genetically modified seeds for certain crops today impact our health? This may not be as on topic as that of pesticides sprayed over the crops, but it still raises the chemical versus calorie question.

This question still goes several levels deeper. First we grow poor quality crops and then grind them up, separate them, chemically treat them, and mix them with dead animal parts to make feed for live animals. The original plants are given only components of what they need to thrive (fertilizers that enrich instead of naturally rich soil). Then the cows are given the poor quality plants. They in turn produce poor quality meat, with fat that is dangerously high in Omega-6 fatty acids (the inflammatory omega) and low in Omega-3 fatty acids (the anti-inflammatory omega).

This explanation could go on for a very long time, and it doesn't seem to get us any closer to a definitive answer. I think it does make it clear that both calories and chemicals are major fronts in the war against obesity.

So what can you do? First try to eat everything in the most natural form that is safe. I'm not talking about eating raw chicken or anything unsafe. Maybe there was a time when certain foods such as milk could be used in raw, unpasteurized or uncooked forms, but with today's processing environments, it's simply not safe.

What I mean is to eat whole fruits and grains instead of refined sugars. Drink organic milk without hormones or antibiotics in it. If possible, eat grass-fed, pastured or free-range beef, chicken, pork, and eggs. Some may contend that organic products are only marginally healthier (they're usually grown on huge industrial farms almost as big as the standard products), but this margin may be a vital weapon in your war again obesity.

The next thing is to control your overall calorie consumption while raising your activity level. It is certainly true that the composition of your calories is extremely important, but getting a handle on the total amount of calories you're taking in is the first step. You simply cannot ignore this stage, because the science behind weight loss really does come down to taking in less calories than you spend. So chances are the solution will be to raise your activity level so you burn more calories, reduce the overall calories you take in, and finally improve the quality and distribution of your daily calories (reducing chemicals and highly processed foods).

With that said, you don't need to worry over every calorie you ingest, nor do you need to write down every little thing. Basically you'll log your foods for brief periods and calculate your calories from that log. From this information you'll be able to adjust your diet without constantly tracking every single thing you eat on an on-going, daily basis.

If you're ready to lose weight and live a happier, healthier life, try Jeff's program Three Weeks to Thrive. We'll guide you step by step on a 21-journey toward a healthier lifestyle.

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