NPPraxis

Hey Hbox, just an unrelated side note, there's something I wanted to say to you.

I'd seen you in passing before, but the first time I was ever really around you was Apex 2010.

Quick background:

I'm a Brawl player. I like Melee. Though I think Brawl is a very good competitive game (contrary to the opinion of many Melee players), I recognize the aspects in which Melee is a better competitive game (it is more aggressive, faster, technical, and most notably spectator-friendly; watching a Brawl match can be like watching a chess match, only the chess players enjoy it). I feel that Brawl gets a bad rap due to not being spectator friendly, but I completely understand the Melee preference as it's overall a better game.

In this era there was a lot of animosity between Brawl and Melee players, mostly stemming from Melee players that would stand around and mock and trash talk Brawl. I generally didn't spend much time with Melee players simply because they had a tendency to treat Brawl players like lesser smashers.

At Apex 2010, I distinctly remember being extremely impressed with your friendliness with the Brawl community despite being a high level Melee player. You joined us for the grand finale and cheered alongside us. You supported both games and I clearly remember my impression of you as one of the friendliest players I met that day, and have remained one of my favorite Melee players since. I root for you every time I watch one of your matches.

I'm sorry for the issues you've had with Mango, but just so you know- anyone who has met you in person, even in passing such as myself, holds your conduct in high regard.

^{On a side note, your "Dude you're actually a really nice person, everyone told me you were an asshole or something lawl" is the general reaction I got at Apex 2010, which was my first time travelling to an east coast tournament. Atomsk and Doom were introducing me to people as "Hey guys, this is Praxis, he's actually really nice!" I may have an abrasive online personality... -_-}

Hi Gary, big fan of your work- I've purchased and given out a couple copies of Why We Get Fat.

I dropped 45 lbs in only a few months after switching to a low carb (ketogenic) diet, heavily influenced by your work, and it was a life changer for me. I am no longer in ketosis, but do not keep anything containing grains or added sugar in my fridge.

Thanks for doing this! I did have a few questions I would be delighted if you'd answer, below. I know I wrote down a lot, even if you only lightly touch on them or reference your answers to other's I'd be incredibly happy.

• In your book, you push that the total number of carbohydrates in diet was the strongest prediction of weight loss. What is your view on the glycemic index? For example, sweet potatoes vs white Idaho potatoes. If I consume 1000 calories in sweet potatoes as opposed to 1000 calories in a regular, white potato, will there be any difference in terms of predicted weight loss in your view?

• What is your view on alcohol and weight loss? (Carb free drinks like Scotch)

• Is Ketosis a desirable state, or would you recommend most people aim for the minimum number of carbs needed to not be in Ketosis (50-100g is my understanding)?

• While you make it clear that you believe fat intake and obesity have no correlation, what is your view on actual types of fats? Grain-fed farm animals have very different composition of fats than wild animals. Far more omega-6 compared to omega-3, for example. Same for fish; farm raised tilapia has less omega-3 than steak. Do you think there are negative health effects (inflammation?) from changes to modern meat (excluding grass fed)?

• What are your views on vegetable oils such as corn, canola, etc?

• What are your views on aspartame/saccharin/sucralose/stevia/xylitol? If you do use artificial sweeteners, which one would be your choice?

• If in a position to influence government, what policy change would you consider the most important to implement or remove?

• I have to admit, NuSI is kind of nebulous to me. Can you give me a better idea of what kind of data you are trying to collect/how you are going about it? Do you worry about marketing issues due to name overlap with a vegan diet called NuSci (which comes up on Google)?

• Coconut oil, olive oil, or grass fed butter. Pick one.

• Not nutrition related, but curiosity. Dr. Peter Attia identified himself as an ISTJ on his blog (Myers Briggs type/Jungian psychology). Do you, by any chance, know your MBTI type? (INTJ here. I was pegging you for INTP, but entirely guessing.)

• Wanna get a beer sometime?

You made my day. Thanks for all you do and all you've helped me do!

Tequila's on me!