Low carb... Is it a diet fad?

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Replies

  • Gianfranco_R
    Gianfranco_R Posts: 1,297 Member
    reisdbr wrote: »
    reisdbr wrote: »
    One of the newer episodes of the Joe Rogan podcast features Mark Sisson of the Primal Blueprint: bit.ly/1nxWbCB
    He's definitely one of the healthiest looking 60+ year olds I've ever seen. Former Iron Man triathlete and has a ton of books on nutrition for both performance and life in general. He champions LC and fat adaptation, and has maintained an average of 100g of carbs a day for 15 years. Talks about specific benefits of low carb as a method of reducing inflammation caused by refined grains and sugars. It's N=1, but interesting, and seemingly topical here.

    Are you sure you are looking at recent pictures? He didn't look all that great in some of the ones I've seen.

    Actually I was referring to the video I linked to. The one that was recorded last week.

    Interesting, I'll have to look it up. I also remember a time where he was anti-running as well but he seems to have gone back to that again.

    ETA but the way he looks has far more to do with the fact that he has maintained his fitness levels quite well rather than the diet.

    Exactly. I find low carb health claims similar to vegan health claims, or to paleo, or any diet that tries to paint itself as superior and healthier. Can you be healthy with a low carb diet? Yes. Paleo? Yes. Vegan? Yes. The eat whatever you want while focusing on nutrients diet? Yes. Being able to achieve health does not prove the superiority of one diet over another as a general rule. One diet can be superior to another on a personal level given varying preferences, but you can't generalize that rule.

    Older people who have taken good care of themselves is also not a good proof of the superiority of any particular diet. You think Mark Sisson looks good? Take a look at a raw vegan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6oJA_xhTa8

    and this Punjabi Indian (lots of wheat and rice) who ran a marathon at 101

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/25/worlds-oldest-marathoner/1946619/

    uhm... a 6.25 miles "marathon" sounds like a 10k...

  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    reisdbr wrote: »
    reisdbr wrote: »
    One of the newer episodes of the Joe Rogan podcast features Mark Sisson of the Primal Blueprint: bit.ly/1nxWbCB
    He's definitely one of the healthiest looking 60+ year olds I've ever seen. Former Iron Man triathlete and has a ton of books on nutrition for both performance and life in general. He champions LC and fat adaptation, and has maintained an average of 100g of carbs a day for 15 years. Talks about specific benefits of low carb as a method of reducing inflammation caused by refined grains and sugars. It's N=1, but interesting, and seemingly topical here.

    Are you sure you are looking at recent pictures? He didn't look all that great in some of the ones I've seen.

    Actually I was referring to the video I linked to. The one that was recorded last week.

    Interesting, I'll have to look it up. I also remember a time where he was anti-running as well but he seems to have gone back to that again.

    ETA but the way he looks has far more to do with the fact that he has maintained his fitness levels quite well rather than the diet.

    Exactly. I find low carb health claims similar to vegan health claims, or to paleo, or any diet that tries to paint itself as superior and healthier. Can you be healthy with a low carb diet? Yes. Paleo? Yes. Vegan? Yes. The eat whatever you want while focusing on nutrients diet? Yes. Being able to achieve health does not prove the superiority of one diet over another as a general rule. One diet can be superior to another on a personal level given varying preferences, but you can't generalize that rule.

    Older people who have taken good care of themselves is also not a good proof of the superiority of any particular diet. You think Mark Sisson looks good? Take a look at a raw vegan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6oJA_xhTa8

    and this Punjabi Indian (lots of wheat and rice) who ran a marathon at 101

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/25/worlds-oldest-marathoner/1946619/

    uhm... a 6.25 miles "marathon" sounds like a 10k...

    Which is what the article calls it:
    The world's oldest marathoner completed his last race on Sunday at age 101, crossing the finish line in the Hong Kong marathon's 10-kilometer race and retiring after 13 years of competitive running.

    The oldest marathoner title seems to be from a race 4-5 months earlier (the October 2011 Toronto Marathon) when he was apparently 100 (although Guinness didn't recognize that).
    He ran his first marathon in 2000 and completed eight more, finishing with the 2011 Toronto Marathon. That should have put him in the books as the oldest person to ever complete the 26.2-mile race, but Guinness didn't acknowledge the record because Singh's date of birth on his passport (April 1, 1911) wasn't considered valid. He needed a government-issued birth certificate, which India did not provide at the time.
  • Gianfranco_R
    Gianfranco_R Posts: 1,297 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    reisdbr wrote: »
    reisdbr wrote: »
    One of the newer episodes of the Joe Rogan podcast features Mark Sisson of the Primal Blueprint: bit.ly/1nxWbCB
    He's definitely one of the healthiest looking 60+ year olds I've ever seen. Former Iron Man triathlete and has a ton of books on nutrition for both performance and life in general. He champions LC and fat adaptation, and has maintained an average of 100g of carbs a day for 15 years. Talks about specific benefits of low carb as a method of reducing inflammation caused by refined grains and sugars. It's N=1, but interesting, and seemingly topical here.

    Are you sure you are looking at recent pictures? He didn't look all that great in some of the ones I've seen.

    Actually I was referring to the video I linked to. The one that was recorded last week.

    Interesting, I'll have to look it up. I also remember a time where he was anti-running as well but he seems to have gone back to that again.

    ETA but the way he looks has far more to do with the fact that he has maintained his fitness levels quite well rather than the diet.

    Exactly. I find low carb health claims similar to vegan health claims, or to paleo, or any diet that tries to paint itself as superior and healthier. Can you be healthy with a low carb diet? Yes. Paleo? Yes. Vegan? Yes. The eat whatever you want while focusing on nutrients diet? Yes. Being able to achieve health does not prove the superiority of one diet over another as a general rule. One diet can be superior to another on a personal level given varying preferences, but you can't generalize that rule.

    Older people who have taken good care of themselves is also not a good proof of the superiority of any particular diet. You think Mark Sisson looks good? Take a look at a raw vegan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6oJA_xhTa8

    and this Punjabi Indian (lots of wheat and rice) who ran a marathon at 101

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/25/worlds-oldest-marathoner/1946619/

    uhm... a 6.25 miles "marathon" sounds like a 10k...

    Which is what the article calls it:
    The world's oldest marathoner completed his last race on Sunday at age 101, crossing the finish line in the Hong Kong marathon's 10-kilometer race and retiring after 13 years of competitive running.

    The oldest marathoner title seems to be from a race 4-5 months earlier (the October 2011 Toronto Marathon) when he was apparently 100 (although Guinness didn't recognize that).
    He ran his first marathon in 2000 and completed eight more, finishing with the 2011 Toronto Marathon. That should have put him in the books as the oldest person to ever complete the 26.2-mile race, but Guinness didn't acknowledge the record because Singh's date of birth on his passport (April 1, 1911) wasn't considered valid. He needed a government-issued birth certificate, which India did not provide at the time.

    yeah, found, 8:25:17, definitely not bad for his age
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I don't know of any low carb health claims here that state it will improve your lifting, strength or muscle tone. The health claims usually pertain to improved insulin resistance and its associated symptoms or better lipid panels.... And not in all.
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    reisdbr wrote: »
    reisdbr wrote: »
    One of the newer episodes of the Joe Rogan podcast features Mark Sisson of the Primal Blueprint: bit.ly/1nxWbCB
    He's definitely one of the healthiest looking 60+ year olds I've ever seen. Former Iron Man triathlete and has a ton of books on nutrition for both performance and life in general. He champions LC and fat adaptation, and has maintained an average of 100g of carbs a day for 15 years. Talks about specific benefits of low carb as a method of reducing inflammation caused by refined grains and sugars. It's N=1, but interesting, and seemingly topical here.

    Are you sure you are looking at recent pictures? He didn't look all that great in some of the ones I've seen.

    Actually I was referring to the video I linked to. The one that was recorded last week.

    Interesting, I'll have to look it up. I also remember a time where he was anti-running as well but he seems to have gone back to that again.

    ETA but the way he looks has far more to do with the fact that he has maintained his fitness levels quite well rather than the diet.

    Exactly. I find low carb health claims similar to vegan health claims, or to paleo, or any diet that tries to paint itself as superior and healthier. Can you be healthy with a low carb diet? Yes. Paleo? Yes. Vegan? Yes. The eat whatever you want while focusing on nutrients diet? Yes. Being able to achieve health does not prove the superiority of one diet over another as a general rule. One diet can be superior to another on a personal level given varying preferences, but you can't generalize that rule.

    Older people who have taken good care of themselves is also not a good proof of the superiority of any particular diet. You think Mark Sisson looks good? Take a look at a raw vegan

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6oJA_xhTa8

    and this Punjabi Indian (lots of wheat and rice) who ran a marathon at 101

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/25/worlds-oldest-marathoner/1946619/

    uhm... a 6.25 miles "marathon" sounds like a 10k...

    Which is what the article calls it:
    The world's oldest marathoner completed his last race on Sunday at age 101, crossing the finish line in the Hong Kong marathon's 10-kilometer race and retiring after 13 years of competitive running.

    The oldest marathoner title seems to be from a race 4-5 months earlier (the October 2011 Toronto Marathon) when he was apparently 100 (although Guinness didn't recognize that).
    He ran his first marathon in 2000 and completed eight more, finishing with the 2011 Toronto Marathon. That should have put him in the books as the oldest person to ever complete the 26.2-mile race, but Guinness didn't acknowledge the record because Singh's date of birth on his passport (April 1, 1911) wasn't considered valid. He needed a government-issued birth certificate, which India did not provide at the time.

    yeah, found, 8:25:17, definitely not bad for his age

    I would say at 100 any time would be good!
  • jennifer_417
    jennifer_417 Posts: 12,344 Member
    It's one way to create a calorie deficit.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    edited February 2016
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    I don't know of any low carb health claims here that state it will improve your lifting, strength or muscle tone. The health claims usually pertain to improved insulin resistance and its associated symptoms or better lipid panels.... And not in all.

    And most of what you usually claims comes from weight loss, not automatically switching to low carb. Every study i have seen posted has been a weight loss study not a study where weight did not change or weight was gained.

    The thing is, weight loss for the most part and exercise will improve all those conditions. Yoi can see that because you see similar results associated with a variety of dietary preference (vegan, paleo, Mediterranean)..

    That being said, it doesnt matter how you approach it, as long as you improve your health who cares which approach you took..
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Personally I would shy away with making a universal (or the generic "may") claim that going low carb or any diet would provide specific results. For example, low carb does not guarantee improved lipid panels. There are several members who have double their triglycerides and worsened ldl's even with weight loss.

    Does it mean that you can't see improve glucose control, lipids etc... on a low carb diet, no but it also doesn't guarantee it either because you have to fact in genetics, physical activity and bosy composition.
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    Low Carbohydrate Diets and Type 2 Diabetes: What is the Latest Evidence?

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26446553

    CONCLUSION:

    Recent studies suggest that low carbohydrate diets appear to be safe and effective over the short term, but show no statistical differences from control diets with higher carbohydrate content and cannot be recommended as the default treatment for people with type 2 diabetes
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    High Fat, Low Carb Diet May Effectively Treat Schizophrenia

    http://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/schizophrenia-and-psychoses/ketogenic-diet-high-fat-low-carbohydrate-schizophrenia-treatment/article/464649/



    A specialized weight loss diet preferred by some bodybuilders may be effective in treating schizophrenia, according to research published in Schizophrenia Research.

    Researchers from James Cook University in Australia have found that a ketogenic diet helped reduce behaviors resembling schizophrenia in mice.

    They believe that this high fat, low carbohydrate diet provides alternative energy sources from ketone bodies, products of fat breakdown, thereby helping to circumvent abnormally functioning cellular energy pathways in the brains of those with schizophrenia.

    The ketogenic diet has also been used since the 1920s to manage epilepsy in children until anti-seizure medications were introduced in the 1940s.

    “Most of a person's energy would come from fat. So the diet would consist of butter, cheese, salmon, etc,” said Zoltan Sarnyai, MD, PhD, from James Cook University in a statement. “Initially it would be used in addition to medication in an in-patient setting where the patient's diet could be controlled.”

    To see whether this high fat, low carbohydrate diet could reduce schizophrenic behaviors, the researchers fed mice a ketogenic diet for 3 weeks and induced acute NMCA receptor hypofunction by administering MK-801 (dizocilpine) to model the hypo-glutamatergic state that has been hypothesized to contribute to schizophrenia. They measured the mice's psychomotor hyperactivity and behavior, their social withdrawal, and their memory deficits.

    “The social interaction and spatial working memory impairment induced by MK-801 were normalized by [the ketogenic diet],” the researchers wrote.

    Compared with a control group of mice on a normal diet, they found the mice on a ketogenic diet also had lower blood glucose levels and weighed less.

    “It's another advantage that it works against the weight gain, cardiovascular issues and type 2 diabetes we see as common side-effects of drugs given to control schizophrenia,” Dr Sarnyai said in a statement.

    Although further studies using other animal models are needed to confirm these findings, the authors wrote that “as [a ketogenic diet] has been safely and effectively administered to humans in different pathological conditions, [this treatment] has the potential to be swiftly translated into a novel, safe and effective management of schizophrenia.”
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    This is kind of funny

    The 7 Stages of Starting a Low Carb Diet as Told By The Real Housewives

    http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/186735/The-7-Stages-of-Starting-a-Low-Carb-Diet-as-Told-By-The-Real-Housewives
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    Metabolic Effects of High-Protein,Low-Carbohydrate Diet

    http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/exs150-p/150HOhighprotein.pdf
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    One Strike against Low-Carbohydrate Diets

    http://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/abstract/S1550-4131(15)00351-4#

    There is intense controversy over whether low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets are more efficacious for weight management. Using precise methodology, Hall et al. (2015) demonstrated that a low-carbohydrate diet promoted greater fat oxidation than an isocaloric low-fat diet but, in contrast to popular speculation, did not cause greater body fat loss.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    So, @Wetcoaster, how do you really feel about low carb diets? >:)
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    So, @Wetcoaster, how do you really feel about low carb diets? >:)

    I think people should do what they can keep to long term. I am however a geek for science
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    As someone with a brother who is on the schizophrenic spectrum, I sure hope this doesn't encourage anyone to ditch their meds and go HFLC without medical supervision.
    “It's another advantage that it works against the weight gain, cardiovascular issues and type 2 diabetes we see as common side-effects of drugs given to control schizophrenia,” Dr Sarnyai said in a statement.
    While my brother did gain weight while taking Thorazine and Risperdal in a hospital setting eating hospital food, he lost it as soon as he moved home and started eating less and moving more.
  • queenliz99
    queenliz99 Posts: 15,317 Member
    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    So, @Wetcoaster, how do you really feel about low carb diets? >:)

    I think people should do what they can keep to long term. I am however a geek for science

    I love your geekiness. Fist pump!
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    @Wetcoaster , Thank you for posting all of those links :+1: Very interesting stuff.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    Low Carbohydrate Diets and Type 2 Diabetes: What is the Latest Evidence?

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26446553

    CONCLUSION:

    Recent studies suggest that low carbohydrate diets appear to be safe and effective over the short term, but show no statistical differences from control diets with higher carbohydrate content and cannot be recommended as the default treatment for people with type 2 diabetes

    Appreciate the article. And while this means they wont change their standard treatment, it does mean that lchf is a viable treatment. I would say that is a win as it provides options who require treatment. Leta face it, some like and strive on restrictive diets and some like moderation.
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    As someone with a brother who is on the schizophrenic spectrum, I sure hope this doesn't encourage anyone to ditch their meds and go HFLC without medical supervision.
    “It's another advantage that it works against the weight gain, cardiovascular issues and type 2 diabetes we see as common side-effects of drugs given to control schizophrenia,” Dr Sarnyai said in a statement.
    While my brother did gain weight while taking Thorazine and Risperdal in a hospital setting eating hospital food, he lost it as soon as he moved home and started eating less and moving more.


    No I doubt this study will since the results were not conclusive.

  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    So, @Wetcoaster, how do you really feel about low carb diets? >:)

    I think people should do what they can keep to long term. I am however a geek for science

    Try Phinney and Volek' the Art and Science of Low CArbohydrate Living or The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance for more science. Peter Attia's blog is good food for your inner geek.

    A high protein low carb diet is often plagued by many of the high protein complications mentioned in the article. Most low carb diets focus on high fat instead.

    The brain benefits of a keto diet seems to becoming more widely known and supported. Epilepsy, schizophrenia and dementia can all possibly benefit depending on circumstances.

    Ketosis isn't a miracle cure but it does have some health benefits. The same goes for low carb.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    The brain benefits of a keto diet seems to becoming more widely known and supported.

    Nothing posted suggests that keto has "brain benefits." LOL.

    Most people don't have epilepsy, and the research about the others has not panned out (the Med diet shows more promise for dementia).
    Ketosis isn't a miracle cure but it does have some health benefits. The same goes for low carb.

    Haven't shown that. Is a low carb diet with lots of protein and vegetables likely better than a SAD with lots of soda, extra low protein, and refined everything. Sure, probably, but then the difference isn't really carbs. Compare the latter diet to a traditional 80% carb diet based on whole foods and lots of fruit and veg and whole food starches and the differences will likely be even more extreme, even if the second has many more carbs (as the SAD is only about 50% carbs).
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited February 2016
    Here's a discussion of the Volek and Phinney study (from a quite opinionated source, but it still seems pertinent):

    http://anthonycolpo.com/why-low-carb-diets-are-terrible-for-athletes-part-2/
    Let’s start with a study frequently cited by the fat adaptation believers, which examined the effect of a ketogenic diet in six moderately obese, untrained subjects. Stephen Phinney and his colleagues placed them on a zero-carb diet of lean meat, fish, or fowl for six weeks, supplemented with minerals and vitamins and providing 500-750 calories per day. At the start of the study, the subjects performed a treadmill endurance test with a mean workload of 76% VO2 max and a mean time to subjective exhaustion of 168 minutes. After six weeks, the subjects lost a mean 10.6 kilograms, were able to perform the test at only 60% VO2max, a lower heart rate, and a mean time to exhaustion on the treadmill of 249 minutes[1].

    Wow, a performance increase of 81 minutes, simply by eliminating carbohydrates! Damn, I’m throwing out the noodles, changing my last name to Atkins-Moore-Dukan-Eades, and quitting my job to become a professional power-walker! London 2012, here I come, baby!

    Oops, hang on a minute. I think I see a few problems with this study. Do you see them too?

    --The study involved untrained and very unfit subjects. So the improved results at the end of the study could simply have been due to improved fitness and acclimation to the walking test, not to any special "fuel-mobilizing" effect of the low-carb diet;

    ---The tested activity was walking, which is about as low intensity a physical activity as they come. The lower the intensity of the exercise, the less of a factor glycogen depletion will be. But the fact remains that the fitness gains conferred by walking are limited, and most sport activities require a far higher level of exertion;

    ---There was no high-carbohydrate control group. How on earth can this study be used to argue for the comparative benefits of low-carb nutrition in physical activity when there was no comparison diet?

    For someone to have to work at over 70% VO2max simply from walking indicates very poor starting fitness. Once the subjects experienced initial adaptation and fitness improvements, the intensity of the exercise was not increased commensurately. So what would have happened if the subjects were forced to keep performing at a higher level of VO2max, rather than the leisurely 60% that was observed in the second treadmill session?

    What would have happened if there had been another group in the study following a high-carbohydrate diet?

    These questions were addressed by a subsequent study also conducted by Phinney and co. This time, eight untrained, obese females followed either a zero-carb diet or a carbohydrate-containing diet for 6 weeks. Both groups ate lean meat, fish, or fowl. Margarine was given to the zero-carb group for extra fat, while the carb group received grape juice supplying seventy-five grams of carbohydrate daily. Both groups consumed 830 calories per day.

    Unlike the previous study, the subjects performed their endurance tests on a stationary cycle. And unlike the previous study, the initial VO2max target was maintained for all subsequent tests. After one week, endurance at around 75% VO2max dropped by a whopping 50% in the zero-carb group - and that's where it stayed for the rest of the study. In contrast, the carbohydrate group experienced no change in their endurance performance. Glycogen levels in the thighs of the zero-carbers also plummeted by half, but remained unchanged in the carbohydrate group. Despite their markedly different carbohydrate intakes, both groups showed similar levels of ketones throughout the study (the minimum threshold for ketosis rises in vigorously exercising individuals, as we'll discuss shortly). Rather than ketosis, the decline in endurance was highly correlated with the decrease in muscle glycogen stores[2].

    Astute readers may be thinking: “OK Anthony, this study shows that zero-carb diets suck dirty workout socks when it comes to exercise, but 75 grams doesn’t exactly constitute a high-carb diet, either!”

    Very good, my observant little grasshoppers. But remember, obese people are carrying a lot more body fat to use as fuel than their lean counterparts, and they tolerate severe calorie restriction far better, losing less lean tissue in the process. For lean folks engaged in regular strenuous exercise, a daily carbohydrate intake of seventy-five grams is nowhere near sufficient, as we’ll find out shortly....

    More at the link.
  • Wetcoaster
    Wetcoaster Posts: 1,788 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    So, @Wetcoaster, how do you really feel about low carb diets? >:)

    I think people should do what they can keep to long term. I am however a geek for science

    Try Phinney and Volek' the Art and Science of Low CArbohydrate Living or The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance for more science. Peter Attia's blog is good food for your inner geek.

    A high protein low carb diet is often plagued by many of the high protein complications mentioned in the article. Most low carb diets focus on high fat instead.

    The brain benefits of a keto diet seems to becoming more widely known and supported. Epilepsy, schizophrenia and dementia can all possibly benefit depending on circumstances.

    Ketosis isn't a miracle cure but it does have some health benefits. The same goes for low carb.
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    Wetcoaster wrote: »
    queenliz99 wrote: »
    So, @Wetcoaster, how do you really feel about low carb diets? >:)

    I think people should do what they can keep to long term. I am however a geek for science

    Try Phinney and Volek' the Art and Science of Low CArbohydrate Living or The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Performance for more science. Peter Attia's blog is good food for your inner geek.

    A high protein low carb diet is often plagued by many of the high protein complications mentioned in the article. Most low carb diets focus on high fat instead.

    The brain benefits of a keto diet seems to becoming more widely known and supported. Epilepsy, schizophrenia and dementia can all possibly benefit depending on circumstances.

    Ketosis isn't a miracle cure but it does have some health benefits. The same goes for low carb.

    More science?
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    edited February 2016
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    The brain benefits of a keto diet seems to becoming more widely known and supported.

    Nothing posted suggests that keto has "brain benefits." LOL.

    Most people don't have epilepsy, and the research about the others has not panned out (the Med diet shows more promise for dementia).
    Ketosis isn't a miracle cure but it does have some health benefits. The same goes for low carb.

    Haven't shown that. Is a low carb diet with lots of protein and vegetables likely better than a SAD with lots of soda, extra low protein, and refined everything. Sure, probably, but then the difference isn't really carbs. Compare the latter diet to a traditional 80% carb diet based on whole foods and lots of fruit and veg and whole food starches and the differences will likely be even more extreme, even if the second has many more carbs (as the SAD is only about 50% carbs).

    There is medical evidence out there there a very low carb high fat diet can offer benefits to health issues that affect the brain, like epilepsy, schizophrenia and dementia. Even Parkinson's patients and those with some brain cancers may benefit from the diet.

    And I never said most people have epilepsy. I think that is fairly widely accepted. LOL where did you pull that from? :D

    And you want me to show that keto has some health benefits? LOL I think that is what is being discussed. I think if you want more, you can look that up further yourself. Read Volek's book or Attia's blog. It might be of interest to you since your approximate 150g of carbs per day would qualify you as low carb in many people's books. You may as well read up on how the woe could be beneficial for your health.... Or not ;)
  • chirosche
    chirosche Posts: 66 Member
    edited February 2016
    What you're looking for is called "Ketogenics", low-carb high-fat. It's a lifestyle and a complete change to mainstream eating misconceptions.

    Carbohydrates are just sugars, sugars which need insulin to be processed, insulin which spikes when you eat carbs and stops the fat burning process.

    Do the research, learn about the benefits of eliminating sugar from your diet, eliminating carbs from your diet, and adding filling and delicious fats and proteins to it.

    Is it fact? Yes, Ketogenics is studied pretty extensively, with many scientific books written about it. The studies done around low-carb diets are incredibly telling.

    Is it long-term sustainable? Absolutely, becoming "Keto-adapted" transforms how your body processes carbs and fats, and changes your metabolism significantly for the better.

    Is it a fad? Nope, the traction Ketogenics is gaining for weight loss, as well as athletic performance, is tremendous. I think it will be the dominant eating diet in the next 10 years, and low-fat high-sugar high-carb will be considered one of the most harmful in human diet eating history.

    What do I think? Everyone should give Ketogenics at least a legitimate 3 month shot. No carbs for 3 months. It's a challenge a lot of people can't accomplish. Why? It separates those who are dedicated to changing their body, and those who buy Fitbits then eat pancakes, burgers, and drink beer all weekend long.

    Some of the cons: Bread is gone, that's tragic for a bread lover like myself. Lettuce is a poor sandwich substitute for real bread. Another con is how obsessed with carb counting you become, and even things with moderate amounts of carbs (20g) becomes entirely too much i.e. Fruit, yogurt, rice cakes

    If you can overcome the first month of hurdles, change your mindset and outlook on what food is and what it means in your life, Ketogenics will absolutely lead to weight loss, fitness love, and eventually massive physical athletic benefits.

    Thank you! Couldn't have said it better myself. I've been on and off low carb for about 2 years and I've found that my body loves low carb even if I want to have a dessert or something like that every now and then, which I do on designated days. I tried to go back to low-fat and regular American diet and I quickly became lethargic, foggy mind and could not understand why I felt so bad. I had no energy. I never felt bad on the low-carb way of eating. Everything you said is completely accurate, factual. My energy is amazing, it's so much more easy to eat at the deficit I require to lose fat and I've come to enjoy all of my different vegetable dishes I make every day. I enjoy butter, coconut oil and have a wide variety of foods that satisfy me. I'm never hungry. In fact, I have to make sure I eat enough because this way of eating takes your appetite away. I am training quite a bit and I supplement with Green Magma which gives me a ton of vitamins and energy to prevent myself from becoming fatigued after my workout. I'm happy with the diet, my body has decided for me that this is the way to go as a lifestyle and I eat carbs when I want to on designated days which is more than enough to satisfy me (once a week). Also, I've notice that I on those days, I just am not as enthusiastic as I use to be for my carb days. The main problem with carbs is the poor wheat has been genetically modified and is making people sick. (research it, google Wheat Brain or Wheat Belly). All kinds of things disappeared I noticed when I didn't eat carbs. Inflammation, unbelievable cravings. My mind is not foggy and I have tons of energy. Why wouldn't anyone want to feel this way. Because they want carbs? I guess that's a good reason. But like you said, this will most likely become convention, eating low carb; eventually the government will have to change the pyramid but they're going to have to go back to growing wheat the way nature intended it because this modified wheat is really a synthetic product but it does taste good.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    The brain benefits of a keto diet seems to becoming more widely known and supported.

    Nothing posted suggests that keto has "brain benefits." LOL.

    Most people don't have epilepsy, and the research about the others has not panned out (the Med diet shows more promise for dementia).
    Ketosis isn't a miracle cure but it does have some health benefits. The same goes for low carb.

    Haven't shown that. Is a low carb diet with lots of protein and vegetables likely better than a SAD with lots of soda, extra low protein, and refined everything. Sure, probably, but then the difference isn't really carbs. Compare the latter diet to a traditional 80% carb diet based on whole foods and lots of fruit and veg and whole food starches and the differences will likely be even more extreme, even if the second has many more carbs (as the SAD is only about 50% carbs).

    There is medical evidence out there there a very low carb high fat diet can offer benefits to health issues that affect the brain, like epilepsy, schizophrenia and dementia. Even Parkinson's patients and those with some brain cancers may benefit from the diet.

    And I never said most people have epilepsy. I think that is fairly widely accepted. LOL where did you pull that from? :D

    And you want me to show that keto has some health benefits? LOL I think that is what is being discussed. I think if you want more, you can look that up further yourself. Read Volek's book or Attia's blog. It might be of interest to you since your approximate 150g of carbs per day would qualify you as low carb in many people's books. You may as well read up on how the woe could be beneficial for your health.... Or not ;)

    No, there is nothing suggesting actual benefits to people with schizophenia or dementia (neither of which I have, LOL). The best evidence as to benefits to people with Alzheimers is the Med Diet, which is similar to what I try to do (and vastly different from what you push). Volek and Attia have been debunked from what I've read, and I continue to think that if low carb were beneficial for athletes (or not detrimental and helpful in keeping weight down) it would have been widely adopted. It has not been adopted much at all.
  • Jozzmenia
    Jozzmenia Posts: 252 Member
    chirosche wrote: »

    Some of the cons: Bread is gone, that's tragic for a bread lover like myself. Lettuce is a poor sandwich substitute for real bread. Another con is how obsessed with carb counting you become, and even things with moderate amounts of carbs (20g) becomes entirely too much i.e. Fruit, yogurt, rice cakes

    I found it was easier to not count, but rather eat super low carb foods only, like from the south beach phase 1 or Atkins approved foods list when I was on low carb. Now i think I'm on moderare carb lol. Interestingly enough, I went to red Robin and had a lettuce bun tonight. Super good, didn't miss the bread at all.
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    edited February 2016
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    The brain benefits of a keto diet seems to becoming more widely known and supported.

    Nothing posted suggests that keto has "brain benefits." LOL.

    Most people don't have epilepsy, and the research about the others has not panned out (the Med diet shows more promise for dementia).
    Ketosis isn't a miracle cure but it does have some health benefits. The same goes for low carb.

    Haven't shown that. Is a low carb diet with lots of protein and vegetables likely better than a SAD with lots of soda, extra low protein, and refined everything. Sure, probably, but then the difference isn't really carbs. Compare the latter diet to a traditional 80% carb diet based on whole foods and lots of fruit and veg and whole food starches and the differences will likely be even more extreme, even if the second has many more carbs (as the SAD is only about 50% carbs).

    There is medical evidence out there there a very low carb high fat diet can offer benefits to health issues that affect the brain, like epilepsy, schizophrenia and dementia. Even Parkinson's patients and those with some brain cancers may benefit from the diet.

    And I never said most people have epilepsy. I think that is fairly widely accepted. LOL where did you pull that from? :D

    And you want me to show that keto has some health benefits? LOL I think that is what is being discussed. I think if you want more, you can look that up further yourself. Read Volek's book or Attia's blog. It might be of interest to you since your approximate 150g of carbs per day would qualify you as low carb in many people's books. You may as well read up on how the woe could be beneficial for your health.... Or not ;)

    No, there is nothing suggesting actual benefits to people with schizophenia or dementia (neither of which I have, LOL). The best evidence as to benefits to people with Alzheimers is the Med Diet, which is similar to what I try to do (and vastly different from what you push). Volek and Attia have been debunked from what I've read, and I continue to think that if low carb were beneficial for athletes (or not detrimental and helpful in keeping weight down) it would have been widely adopted. It has not been adopted much at all.

    What I have seen most recently recommended from scientific research for the prevention of Alzheimer's and dementia, is the MIND diet. (some similarities to Mediterranean or Dash diet)

    It would not be low carb, and advocates eating foods such as blueberries, green leafy vegetables, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts, olive oil, etc.

    http://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/0715p10.shtml (has studies listed at bottom)

    https://www.rush.edu/news/diet-may-help-prevent-alzheimers (rush university who did the initial research I believe)

    The best part is it includes my absolute favourite foods... blueberries, strawberries, chicken, fish...

    Edited to fix quoting fail
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,427 MFP Moderator
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    The brain benefits of a keto diet seems to becoming more widely known and supported.

    Nothing posted suggests that keto has "brain benefits." LOL.

    Most people don't have epilepsy, and the research about the others has not panned out (the Med diet shows more promise for dementia).
    Ketosis isn't a miracle cure but it does have some health benefits. The same goes for low carb.

    Haven't shown that. Is a low carb diet with lots of protein and vegetables likely better than a SAD with lots of soda, extra low protein, and refined everything. Sure, probably, but then the difference isn't really carbs. Compare the latter diet to a traditional 80% carb diet based on whole foods and lots of fruit and veg and whole food starches and the differences will likely be even more extreme, even if the second has many more carbs (as the SAD is only about 50% carbs).

    There is medical evidence out there there a very low carb high fat diet can offer benefits to health issues that affect the brain, like epilepsy, schizophrenia and dementia. Even Parkinson's patients and those with some brain cancers may benefit from the diet.

    And I never said most people have epilepsy. I think that is fairly widely accepted. LOL where did you pull that from? :D

    And you want me to show that keto has some health benefits? LOL I think that is what is being discussed. I think if you want more, you can look that up further yourself. Read Volek's book or Attia's blog. It might be of interest to you since your approximate 150g of carbs per day would qualify you as low carb in many people's books. You may as well read up on how the woe could be beneficial for your health.... Or not ;)

    No, there is nothing suggesting actual benefits to people with schizophenia or dementia (neither of which I have, LOL). The best evidence as to benefits to people with Alzheimers is the Med Diet, which is similar to what I try to do (and vastly different from what you push). Volek and Attia have been debunked from what I've read, and I continue to think that if low carb were beneficial for athletes (or not detrimental and helpful in keeping weight down) it would have been widely adopted. It has not been adopted much at all.

    What I have seen most recently recommended from scientific research for the prevention of Alzheimer's and dementia, is the MIND diet. (some similarities to Mediterranean or Dash diet)

    It would not be low carb, and advocates eating foods such as blueberries, green leafy vegetables, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts, olive oil, etc.

    http://www.todaysgeriatricmedicine.com/archive/0715p10.shtml (has studies listed at bottom)

    https://www.rush.edu/news/diet-may-help-prevent-alzheimers (rush university who did the initial research I believe)

    The best part is it includes my absolute favourite foods... blueberries, strawberries, chicken, fish...

    Edited to fix quoting fail

    Thanks. I haven't seen any of the stuff on MIND.


    The only study I have seen on Alzheimers and Keto was this one. And it was very very preliminary research. All the more recent stuff I saw indicated the Med diet was much better.