Low Carb diets - Not as healthy as you might think.
Replies
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"It may be a speedy way to slim down, but the Atkins diet can also raise your cholesterol and harm your heart just as quickly.
When researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine put 18 adults on the Atkins diet, Ornish, or South Beach Diet, those on the Atkins diet increased their LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 16 points and experienced hardening of the arteries in only 1 month. Those in the Ornish Diet group lowered bad cholesterol by 25 points, while those in the South Beach Diet group lowered it by 10 points.
The people on Ornish and South Beach Diet experienced improved flexibility in their arteries. Instead of cutting carbs to lose weight, reach for a balance of good carbs, lean protein, and healthy fats."
http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/diets/cholesterol-atkins-diet-vs-south-beach-diet
Geeezus, this is such RUBBISH.
There is nothing UNHEALTHY about eating fats, proteins, vegetables and fruits.
Stop the madness.0 -
Well, Im not using Atkins, but Im following my Endocrinologist's recommendations for low-carb intake... and its perfectly healthy... my ticker thus far is proof...0
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People should be well aware of a few things regarding this study so that it's not taken out of context due to the title of this thread and the article linked:
1) The only real piece of info given by the study was that on low carb, blood markers for health got slightly worse when comparing WEIGHT MAINTENANCE across different macronutrient compositions. Let me stress again, this was during maintenance.
2) The sample size was small and this is directly commented on in the actual research.
The only reason I'm posting this is so that people who are low carbing and having success, don't think that suddenly they'll have a heart attack.
Losing weight (low carb or not) and going from obese to "not obese" will very, very likely improve your lipids and overall health. In that regard, don't put too much stock into the title of this thread.
On a personal note, I don't do low carb but I have nothing against those who do.
What I take issue with is people who grossly misunderstand how it works or whether or not it's necessary and then they go and preach these misconceptions to others.
Without looking at the study, I think its also worth mentioning that Atkins maintenance phase encourages increasing carb intake. So could it be there's a threshold where the increase becomes counter-productive? Something to think about.0 -
A study of 18 is hardly conclusive, and the study was short term so long term results are not certain, especially since the Adkins diet works in phases. That they factored out weight loss and that the results to the arteries and blood were so quick is interesting, but again, not necessarily indicitive of long term results. But hopefully it will spur more similar research.
Here is a link to the University site and description of the study if anyone is interested.
http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/three_popular_diets.htm0 -
I love you for posting this
Been saying for years that cutting out a macro can't possibly be healthy, they all have their place in a balanced diet.
:flowerforyou:
LOW carb does NOT equal NO carb.
Jesus, most people low carbing eat 10 times more vegetables than those counting calories.0 -
I love you for posting this Been saying for years that cutting out a macro can't possibly be healthy, they all have their place in a balanced diet.
:flowerforyou:
LOW carb does NOT equal NO carb.
Jesus, most people low carbing eat 10 times more vegetables than those counting calories.
Very true. Years of misinformation has hard-wired into many's minds the idea that the only healthy diet is based on the USDA food pyramid. I know this because even I have a hard time letting the idea go that dietary fat is bad and should be severely restricted.0 -
Bubs05,
To clarify about South Beach, your roomie likely was following phase 1, which lasts no longer than two weeks. The main purpose of phase 1 is to rids ones addictions to sugars. Sugars includes items with a high glycymic index such as fruits and breads that digest quickly in the body. More protein is encouraged to avoid hunger and veggies are the carbs of choice but red meats alone aren't the staple. Phase 2 is after the sugar addiction and when complex carbs are reintroduced. I hope this helps.
Yes, and on the same note...............Phase 1 of South Beach is the same as Phase 1 of Atkins.
In Phase 2 of both plans you add back in foods. Atkins is much more structured because it is an elimination plan and you re-introduce foods one at a time so you can see how your individual body reacts to a particular food.
Phase 3 of South Beach is the same as Phase 3 and 4 of Atkins. You are eating proteins, fats, vegetables, fruits, some grains and starches and dairy (depending on what an individuals body can tolerate).
When I was on atkins my typical day was like this:
Breakfast: 3 egg omelette (ham, cheese, onions, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, brocolli) and a side of home ground breakfast sausage.
Lunch: Salad with home made dressing from scratch. Left overs from the night before which would be meat and non-starchy vegetables.
Supper: Salad with home made dressing from scratch and meat and non-starchy vegetables.
Drink water, black coffee and unsweetened tea.
You tell me what is so UNHEALTHY about the above mentioned menu?????????????0 -
I'm doing the adkins diet induction phase where I only allow myself to eat 20 grams of carbs a day. It is difficut but not impossible. I've lost 5 pounds already in four days. I plan on continuing to lose weight by going through the four phases of this diet. I've read a lot about low carb diets and they seem perfectly healthy as long as you follow the phases. Good luck to everyone out there, this is quite a challenge but we can do it!
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People should be well aware of a few things regarding this study so that it's not taken out of context due to the title of this thread and the article linked:
1) The only real piece of info given by the study was that on low carb, blood markers for health got slightly worse when comparing WEIGHT MAINTENANCE across different macronutrient compositions. Let me stress again, this was during maintenance.
2) The sample size was small and this is directly commented on in the actual research.
The only reason I'm posting this is so that people who are low carbing and having success, don't think that suddenly they'll have a heart attack.
Losing weight (low carb or not) and going from obese to "not obese" will very, very likely improve your lipids and overall health. In that regard, don't put too much stock into the title of this thread.
On a personal note, I don't do low carb but I have nothing against those who do.
What I take issue with is people who grossly misunderstand how it works or whether or not it's necessary and then they go and preach these misconceptions to others.
Without looking at the study, I think its also worth mentioning that Atkins maintenance phase encourages increasing carb intake. So could it be there's a threshold where the increase becomes counter-productive? Something to think about.
With Atkins and South Beach both after the first 2 weeks you increase carb intake. The induction phase is the only strict part where you are restricted to protein, fat and green leafy vegetables because you are eliminating any possible foods that you may have intolerances to and then foods are added back in one at a time.0 -
I'm doing the adkins diet induction phase where I only allow myself to eat 20 grams of carbs a day. It is difficut but not impossible. I've lost 5 pounds already in four days. I plan on continuing to lose weight by going through the four phases of this diet. I've read a lot about low carb diets and they seem perfectly healthy as long as you follow the phases. Good luck to everyone out there, this is quite a challenge but we can do it!
It isn't unhealthy.
I can tell you it is a far more healthy plan than I see most of the people on this site with all the packaged, processed, frozen and boxed foods they eat.
Now that is unhealthy.
When I did Atkins in 2003 I got off all medications for Diabetes, Thyroid, and PCOS. I maintained a 100 pound weight loss until 2008 when I got into a really bad car accident due to someone rear-ending me on the interstate going 95 miles per hour.
The rehab process and steroids and not being able to plan my meals is what caused me to gain about half the weight back. Then depression kicked in and now I have stopped feeling sorry for myself and back on the ball with low carb, clean eating.0 -
Just my little opinion added in :blushing:
I eat Primal. Less than 150 carbs a day and I believe that everyone should be eating less than 150 carbs a day. I think the recommended amount of protein is too low and I believe the carb allowance is too high. At least for sedentary adults on the standard american diet. I think the study is a load of crap. Because I dont' know any of those people in the study, but I do know lots of people that started eating high fat/mod protein, and low carb diets and their health has improved dramatically! and I'm not just talking about better blood work, I'm talking healing them! The idea of "south beach" "Paleo" "primal" is about eliminating everything and adding stuff back in slowly (never grains and sugars though exept southbeach) to see how your body reacts. Alot of people have allergies that they would never even know about that causes all kinds of symptoms. This is a good way to find out how your body handles certain foods. I know several people that have discovered they are allergic to gluten. and getting off the stuff has helped alot. All I can tell you is that I feel awesome when I eat this way. and I can't see anything wrong with it. I eat lots of protein, lots of veggies, some fruit, and lots of healthy God made fats. How can that ever be unhealthy? and when I've lost all of my weight, I will allow myself potatoes and yams. (or even on days where i do alot of exercise)
I think everyone should stop bashing other peoples diets and just find what works for them and what makes them feel at their best.
The end! :drinker:0 -
Just thought I would share one of my favorite websites....if you want to read some success stories and learn a little about people that live this lifestyle, check it out!
www.marksdailyapple.com
I guarantee you won't find anyone on there griping about their high cholesterol0 -
For those who say Phase 1 of South Beach is the same as Phase 1 of Atkins--this is not true. On SB Phase 1 we eat lots of veggies and beans which are very high in good carbs. SB also limits saturated and Trans fats, although the newest studies suggest that saturated fats aren't that bad, it's the manufactured fats that are bad for your heart.0
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Saturated fats arenot bad for you. You hit that one right on the nail. The key word being manufactured fats! Common sense should tell you that something man made would be worse for you than something found naturally all over the world and in breastmilk!0
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Common sense should tell you that something man made would be worse for you than something found naturally all over the world and in breastmilk!
Common sense isn't always very prevalent when it comes to dieting. Apparently the USDA food pyramid was handed to us by God at some point along with the Ten Commandments.0 -
I think low carb depends on the person. I have insulin resistance..so any type of processed carb I eat..(grains) instead of turning to energy..has a tendency of turning to fat..cause my body thinks it needs it. I have been doing low carb since November..and doing quite well.
Thats not to say I dont have my days where I will have a sandwich or something..but as a whole..I stay within the 100 carb range every day..
I have the same problem. Insulin resistance because of metabolic syndrome and PCOS and this is the only way I can lose weight. I agree with you!!!
There is nothing wrong with a low carb diet as long as you use better oils and get the right kinds of fat instead of the over processed stuff. Good Calories and Bad Calories is on of my favorite books on the subject.
In any diet plan you must be smart about it. Lots of ways work for lots of people. 0 -
I do best in many ways when I eat under 80 grams/carb day. Before I lost any weight at all....I never did have that big weight loss that some folks get at first when switching to lower carb eating...my BG levels showed immense improvement and I had only lost about 5# when I went to have a blood test done that showed my better cholesterol levels (even though they were never bad to start with).
While I did start with the 2 weeks of 20 grams/carb day on the Atkins plan, I did raise my carbs over time to find my sweet spot where I can eat enough carbs to feel good and be satisfied but still lose weight. Of course, like most of us, I eat better some days than others but, when staying on plan, this is a typical day for me:
Early AM: 1 T. peanut butter
Mid AM: 2-3 scrambled eggs
Lunch: large salad with mixed greens, spinach, carrots, onions, and any other veggies I have handy to toss in, sunflower seeds, sometimes a bit of cheese and/or some kind of meat (turkey, chicken, beef, tuna, salmon), and either some kind of vinagrette or Ranch or mayo (limited amounts). I will sometimes have an additional piece of lean protein or a hard-boiled egg with this. Sometimes I'll have a smaller salad with a small cuppa soup. I usually try to get a small piece of fruit in like 1/2 an apple or a banana or maybe some orange slices in my salad.
PM snack: usually yogurt or hard-boiled eggs or another 1 T. of peanut butter or some other nuts or seeds
Dinner: several times a week it's some kind of thin-sliced protein stir-fried with various mixed vegetables or lean protein with veggies cooked various ways (usually stir-fried or steamed). Sometimes stir-fried with olive oil or butter, sometimes with wine, whatever, it varies depending on what sounds good for variety. Other nights, it's a piece of meat/poultry/fish with veggies on the side and maybe a salad, too.
Eve snack: rarely do this but, if I do, it's usually some kind of nuts
Sometimes I might have a bit of rice with lunch or dinner or sometimes I will have an open-face sandwich on 100% whole-grain bread instead of or in addition to the above items. Now and then I will have a potato but I usually keep that amount fairly small. Once in a blue moon, I'll have noodles. If I do, the portion sizes of the other items will be smaller. I try to keep times of more carbs when I have done some particularly intense exercise as my body handles the bit higher carb load better that way.
Anyway...I'd really love for someone to point out to me just what is so unhealthy about eating like this.
To be honest, I have not been eating this way lately as the holidays and a vacation has gotten me out of the groove and I'm paying the price by not feeling as well, as clear-headed, as energetic, and unable to work-out as intensely as I do when I stick to this type of menu. Writing this out has reminded me of how good this actually tastes and how good I feel doing it so I'm firing myself up to do it again. Thanks for the kick in the butt.0 -
In November of 2006 a report of a very long-term study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The data were drawn from a large study of over 120,000 female nurses which has been going on since 1976. Six years ago, this same group of researchers analyzed the carbohydrate intake over a 10 year period of the study, and found that glycemic load was the biggest factor in determining the effect of carbohydrate on health, rather than the composition of the carbohydrate (simple vs complex). In that previous study, it was found that people eating the diet with the highest glycemic load had almost twice the incidence of heart disease as those eating the lowest glycemic load. The evidence from this new study confirms and builds upon what was found earlier, drawing from data from an 18 year period following 82,802 women.
This time, the researchers aimed to find answers to some new questions. One of the worries about low-carb diets has to do with eating more protein and fat in the longer term, especially if that protein and fat comes from animal sources, which are usually higher in saturated fat. In the short run, research seems to indicate that the markers for heart disease risk mostly improve with low-carb diets, but no one has felt safe recommending them for longer periods. (Note that low-carb diets don't necessarily have high levels of saturated fat.) So the researchers were trying to differentiate low-carb diets which had higher amounts of protein and fat from animal sources from those which had more protein and fat from vegetable sources.
The Bottom Line Results
There are several ways to look at the data from this study. At the very least, a low-carb diet, even if it included increased animal protein and animal fat, was not associated with an increased risk for heart disease. Eating a diet with a lower glycemic load and eating more fat from vegetable sources were both associated with reduced risk of heart attack for the women in the study.
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/355/19/1991 - New England Journal of Medicine 355:19 (2006):1991-2002.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/71/6/1455 - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 71.6 (2000):1455-1461.0 -
"It may be a speedy way to slim down, but the Atkins diet can also raise your cholesterol and harm your heart just as quickly.
When researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine put 18 adults on the Atkins diet, Ornish, or South Beach Diet, those on the Atkins diet increased their LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 16 points and experienced hardening of the arteries in only 1 month. Those in the Ornish Diet group lowered bad cholesterol by 25 points, while those in the South Beach Diet group lowered it by 10 points.
The people on Ornish and South Beach Diet experienced improved flexibility in their arteries. Instead of cutting carbs to lose weight, reach for a balance of good carbs, lean protein, and healthy fats."
http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/diets/cholesterol-atkins-diet-vs-south-beach-diet
This study is complete BS.
And there is NO SUCH thing as a NO CARB diet. Unless you are ONLY eating meat and nothing else you are getting carbs. And if you are ONLY eating meat, your a moron and shout be shot.
There is NOTHING wrong with doing Atkins as long as you do it the right way. You eat more then 20 grams of carbs after the first 2 weeks. People need to learn how to research something before the bash it.0 -
:flowerforyou:
LOW carb does NOT equal NO carb.
Jesus, most people low carbing eat 10 times more vegetables than those counting calories.
FACT!0 -
This study is complete BS.
What do you mean when you say the study is complete BS? That you think the study itself was flawed in some way, or that the results were misinterpreted? Or do you really just mean that the article in Prevention mistated the importance of one limited study, which would not be the fault of the study or published results?0 -
+1 to the OP.0
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I am no expert....so lets get that out of the way....but I have a friend who did the Atkins diet for 5 months strictly to the point he was annoying to go out to eat with. And used the sticks recommended by Atkins to pee on to tell if your kidneys were in and staying in Ketosis. After losing 60-something odd pounds he had a heart attack. When his Cardiologist found out how he lost the weight, he basically said to him, you were overweight before but from your medical records you had no heart conditions or even a problem with cholesterol.....guess what? You have them now. I'm just saying, I did not read any of the studies here, I am just posting my own experience knowing someone so well who actually followed the plan to the letter.0
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The one thing I love is people discussing about carbs, fats and protein based on an overview of what they have read, yet most don't even know in detail what they are, what they do to the body, how important they are, the different types of carbs, fats and proteins, how they affect certain people based in their own personal assimilation to them, etc.0
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For those who say Phase 1 of South Beach is the same as Phase 1 of Atkins--this is not true. On SB Phase 1 we eat lots of veggies and beans which are very high in good carbs. SB also limits saturated and Trans fats, although the newest studies suggest that saturated fats aren't that bad, it's the manufactured fats that are bad for your heart.
I can tell you one thing. If you are eating beans on Phase 1 of South Beach, then you are not going about the plan correctly. When I first started low carb in 2003 I tried South Beach Diet and I was constantly hungry. Switched over to Atkins and I was feeling full and satisfied and this is what my Endocrinologist wanted at the time anyway...........
And on Atkins Phase 1 you eat a LOT of vegetables too and if your not, then also, a person is not doing it correctly.
dr agatston wrote the South Beach Diet to be similar to Atkins with the "low fat" approach because he thought it would be more appealing since the government pushes the low fat agenda so much.
http://www.glycemicedge.com/south-beach-diet/
I don't see any beans in the Eat for 14 day list.
The only difference between Atkins and SB Phase 1 is the lower fat of SB, which means you are eating a higher amount of processed foods such as low fat cheese.0 -
I am no expert....so lets get that out of the way....but I have a friend who did the Atkins diet for 5 months strictly to the point he was annoying to go out to eat with. And used the sticks recommended by Atkins to pee on to tell if your kidneys were in and staying in Ketosis. After losing 60-something odd pounds he had a heart attack. When his Cardiologist found out how he lost the weight, he basically said to him, you were overweight before but from your medical records you had no heart conditions or even a problem with cholesterol.....guess what? You have them now. I'm just saying, I did not read any of the studies here, I am just posting my own experience knowing someone so well who actually followed the plan to the letter.
The Atkins plan did not cause the heart attack. There were underlying heart conditions when he was obese that reared their ugly head as he lost weight.
Eating protein, fats and carbs in the most natural form (vegetables and fruit) is how most people eat when they are clean, whole foods eaters.
That cardiologist is sooo full of it. Geeesh, I wish they would make it mandatory that Dr's, especially specialists, to make them take nutrition classes and such.0 -
I am no expert....so lets get that out of the way....but I have a friend who did the Atkins diet for 5 months strictly to the point he was annoying to go out to eat with. And used the sticks recommended by Atkins to pee on to tell if your kidneys were in and staying in Ketosis. After losing 60-something odd pounds he had a heart attack. When his Cardiologist found out how he lost the weight, he basically said to him, you were overweight before but from your medical records you had no heart conditions or even a problem with cholesterol.....guess what? You have them now. I'm just saying, I did not read any of the studies here, I am just posting my own experience knowing someone so well who actually followed the plan to the letter.
The Atkins plan did not cause the heart attack. There were underlying heart conditions when he was obese that reared their ugly head as he lost weight.
How do you know what caused it? I don't believe Adkins or any other low carb diet is inherently unhealthy, but that doesn't mean it's safe for everyone. I'm not sure anything is safe for everyone.0 -
For those who say Phase 1 of South Beach is the same as Phase 1 of Atkins--this is not true. On SB Phase 1 we eat lots of veggies and beans which are very high in good carbs. SB also limits saturated and Trans fats, although the newest studies suggest that saturated fats aren't that bad, it's the manufactured fats that are bad for your heart.
I can tell you one thing. If you are eating beans on Phase 1 of South Beach, then you are not going about the plan correctly.
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I don't see any beans in the Eat for 14 day list.
I respectfully disagree on the beans--just looked at the phase one list for South Beach and under "foods to enjoy" in the vegetable/legumes list several varieties of beans are listed.0 -
I am no expert....so lets get that out of the way....but I have a friend who did the Atkins diet for 5 months strictly to the point he was annoying to go out to eat with. And used the sticks recommended by Atkins to pee on to tell if your kidneys were in and staying in Ketosis. After losing 60-something odd pounds he had a heart attack. When his Cardiologist found out how he lost the weight, he basically said to him, you were overweight before but from your medical records you had no heart conditions or even a problem with cholesterol.....guess what? You have them now. I'm just saying, I did not read any of the studies here, I am just posting my own experience knowing someone so well who actually followed the plan to the letter.
The Atkins plan did not cause the heart attack. There were underlying heart conditions when he was obese that reared their ugly head as he lost weight.
How do you know what caused it? I don't believe Adkins or any other low carb diet is inherently unhealthy, but that doesn't mean it's safe for everyone. I'm not sure anything is safe for everyone.
Please no one can tell me that eating protein and vegetables gave anyone a heart attack. I have asked my Dr about this several times and he just shakes his head and laughs.
He even said himself he doesn't know how some Dr's passed through schooling because they have NO clue.0 -
For those who say Phase 1 of South Beach is the same as Phase 1 of Atkins--this is not true. On SB Phase 1 we eat lots of veggies and beans which are very high in good carbs. SB also limits saturated and Trans fats, although the newest studies suggest that saturated fats aren't that bad, it's the manufactured fats that are bad for your heart.
I can tell you one thing. If you are eating beans on Phase 1 of South Beach, then you are not going about the plan correctly.
.....
I don't see any beans in the Eat for 14 day list.
I respectfully disagree on the beans--just looked at the phase one list for South Beach and under "foods to enjoy" in the vegetable/legumes list several varieties of beans are listed.
Somewhere along the lines, the plan must have been changed. When I embarked on that journey, they were not allowed. I just got finished looking at my book and legumes are not listed.0
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