Is it Right or Wrong to Follow a Low-carb Diet?

Two essential reasons folks turn to diets are to lose weight or to improve on health--or possibly both. The familiar Food Pyramid recommendations of the USDA are satisfactory, as long as you remember that the carbohydrates recommended are those contained in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. It may not be crystal-clear that they are talking about processed carbs. Even so, even those healthy and non-overweight folks can maintain a healthier lifestyle by following a reduced carb diet.

For overweight men and women, the low-calorie and low-fat diets recommended by the government do not work very well in many cases. In fact, for diabetics, these diets might worsen the condition. The only diet that strikes at the real reason of obesity, high cholesterol, blood pressure, high hypoglycemia, and type II diabetes is a low-carbohydrate diet. In fact, many doctors and nutritionists are now starting to conceptualize this.

It is a known fact that type II diabetes can often be controlled with diet and exercise. Irregardless, a high-protein, low-carb diet, along with accurate nutritional supplements, are almost always helpful in normalizing blood sugar, promoting weight loss and reducing other cardiovascular risks associated with being overweight and having type II diabetes.

In fact, meals containing less than 10 grams of carbs can elevate blood sugar levels considerably less than the standard ADA dietary recommendations, often times 100 to 200 points less. These diets accomplish dramatic improvements in glucose and glycohemoglobin levels. The goal for any Type II diabetic should be to lower the glucose and the insulin levels; only a low-carb diet has accomplished both these goals. Irregardless, do seek the advice of your general practitioner before switching to a Low-carbohydrate diet.

A current study suggested intriguing evidence that folks on a low-carbohydrate diet can actually eat more than individuals on a standard low fat/reduced calorie diet and still lose weight.

There is proof. Over the past few months, there have been several small studies that have demonstrated (to many experts' surprise) that a low-carbohydrate diet approach actually does perform better, at least in the short run.

So what will it hurt to try? Go see your medical practitioner. Work out a plan. And stay with it.

Copyright (c) 2006 Buddy Shearer

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