Anyone else have issues with low carb diets?

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  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
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    Doesn't help that Dr. Atkins, founder of "The Atkins Diet," died from a heart attack. believe what you will, but any diet high in saturated fats will deffinately raise cholesterol.

    No he didn't.

    I'm appalled that your avi appears to be a personal training certification when you have such a poor understanding of nutrition. I hope you don't offer dietary advice to clients.
  • Type1Rachelle
    Type1Rachelle Posts: 71
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    Of course, she talked about the effect of ketosis on the kidneys, not fuel sources for the brain. Besides, the fact that the brain can use ketones doesn't change the fact that glucose is the brain's preferred source.

    Not exactly. If glucose is available, the brain will use it. As far as "preferred", however, the brain has been shown to run better on ketones. The brain only truly requires about 30g to 40g glucose, which can be synthesized by the body, but it will use around 120g to 130g if available.

    the brain cannot run on zero glucose - that was the only point I was making.

    ketogenic diets are especially helpful for those with epilepsy actually because ketones essentially slow the activity of the brain.

    this is why people often complain of headaches and mental fogginess while on low carb diets.
  • Type1Rachelle
    Type1Rachelle Posts: 71
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    I don't really understand the obsession with low carb diets. I also understand that they do take off pounds, and sometimes pretty quickly. But really, can you just sit around knawing on slabs of meat for the rest of your life? I can't. I eat a plant based diet now (partially thanks to Forks Over Knives, which I DID see), but even before this it would have made me sad to give up my fruits and veggies. Carbs are not the enemy, processed carbs that are so far from their natural state that they are unrecognizable are the enemy. The bananas, leave them alone, they are okay!

    yes! I agree 100%, thank you.
  • Type1Rachelle
    Type1Rachelle Posts: 71
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    Doesn't help that Dr. Atkins, founder of "The Atkins Diet," died from a heart attack. believe what you will, but any diet high in saturated fats will deffinately raise cholesterol.

    No he didn't. He died from complications from a slip and fall. At the age of 72.

    the slip and fall was a result of a heart attack
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
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    And on the flipside:

    http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-22/health/34652373_1_high-carb-cognitive-decline-mild-cognitive-impairment

    Seniors gorging on a carb rich diet are four times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment- an early warning of Alzheimer's disease, shows a new research.
  • Type1Rachelle
    Type1Rachelle Posts: 71
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    Doesn't help that Dr. Atkins, founder of "The Atkins Diet," died from a heart attack. believe what you will, but any diet high in saturated fats will deffinately raise cholesterol.

    No he didn't.

    I'm appalled that your avi appears to be a personal training certification when you have such a poor understanding of nutrition. I hope you don't offer dietary advice to clients.

    c'mon be nice.... let's not take it there
  • JasonDetwiler
    JasonDetwiler Posts: 364 Member
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    But really, can you just sit around knawing on slabs of meat for the rest of your life? I can't.

    Yes! Well, not all the time, but most of the time.
    Carbs are not the enemy, processed carbs that are so far from their natural state that they are unrecognizable are the enemy. The bananas, leave them alone, they are okay!

    Correct, but it depends on your goals. Carbs are a tool to elicit a response from the body. Use them (even the bad ones you mentioned) for specific purposes and they are amazingly effective.

    See Carb Backloading and Carb Nite Solution. Amazing ways to harness the powers of ketosis and carbs together to get the best of both low carb and carb usage.
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
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    Doesn't help that Dr. Atkins, founder of "The Atkins Diet," died from a heart attack. believe what you will, but any diet high in saturated fats will deffinately raise cholesterol.

    No he didn't. He died from complications from a slip and fall. At the age of 72.

    the slip and fall was a result of a heart attack

    His doctors were treating him for a heart problem, but it was related to an infection and had nothing to do with his diet.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
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    2 issues I have with low carb diet: It makes me want to kill myself and it's completely unnecessary for getting in shape or staying lean.

    LOL this! ...:drinker:
  • JessWolf1002
    JessWolf1002 Posts: 82 Member
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    I try to stay at about 100 carbs a day which is very very mild ketosis. This is literally the only way I can lose weight. After having 2 kids and being on bed rest with both of them, I gained a lot of weight and my metabolism is shot!
  • Type1Rachelle
    Type1Rachelle Posts: 71
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    And on the flipside:

    http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-22/health/34652373_1_high-carb-cognitive-decline-mild-cognitive-impairment

    Seniors gorging on a carb rich diet are four times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment- an early warning of Alzheimer's disease, shows a new research.

    there's nothing about the source of the carbs in that study/article. I thought I was pretty clear when I was disputing non-processed naturally occurring carbs such as fruit and vegetables.
  • larsmac83
    larsmac83 Posts: 24
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    I completely agree that people are going to use what they want to use to lose weight. I'm currently on a very low carb diet, but I am also doing it with a doctor's supervision, and the way I've been told to do it is with low-cholesterol, low-fat, lean proteins. I can't eat all the eggs and bacon I want (as I had a friend yell at me before, because she thought that's what I was doing...). I'm also doing this because I'm insulin intolerant. My body simply can't process the insulin being made, so the glucose isn't getting into my cells.

    I also know a bit about biology. Yes, the brain can only use glucose for energy, but pyruvate can be converted into glucose via gluconeogenesis (creation of glucose from a non-carb substance). It takes longer than just ingesting a carb with glucose, but it does the same thing.

    To avoid kidney damage, most people don't know to up their water intake...by a LOT. I drink about 168oz of water a day so that the nephrons in my kidneys don't crystallize into kidney stones because of my diet. I also take vitamins for any other nutrients that I'm not getting through food. And I can eat fruits and veggies, but just the non-starchy ones.

    It CAN be done in a more healthful way, but I know that most people hear low carb and think that the person only eats meat and loses weight. And you are correct...THAT is very unhealthy. But it can be done. I still have over 100lbs to lose, and my doctor is adjusting my calorie intake based on how fast I lose, so I'm still losing fast, but not in way that will be harmful to me long-term.
  • Type1Rachelle
    Type1Rachelle Posts: 71
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    I try to stay at about 100 carbs a day which is very very mild ketosis. This is literally the only way I can lose weight. After having 2 kids and being on bed rest with both of them, I gained a lot of weight and my metabolism is shot!

    exercise raises metabolism like crazy - keep doing what you're doing if you're happy, but if you want to adjust, you might want to consider upping the exercise.
  • nickiog
    nickiog Posts: 187 Member
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    ILY <3


    It's not my excessive caloric intake and desk job that made me fat, it was THAT BANANA.

    *shakes fist*
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
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    Doesn't help that Dr. Atkins, founder of "The Atkins Diet," died from a heart attack. believe what you will, but any diet high in saturated fats will deffinately raise cholesterol.

    No he didn't.

    I'm appalled that your avi appears to be a personal training certification when you have such a poor understanding of nutrition. I hope you don't offer dietary advice to clients.

    c'mon be nice.... let's not take it there

    wasn't trying to be a ****. But I think teachers and trainers have a responsiblity to be better informed than that, since they routinely give people advice and charge for it
  • JessWolf1002
    JessWolf1002 Posts: 82 Member
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    I try to stay at about 100 carbs a day which is very very mild ketosis. This is literally the only way I can lose weight. After having 2 kids and being on bed rest with both of them, I gained a lot of weight and my metabolism is shot!

    exercise raises metabolism like crazy - keep doing what you're doing if you're happy, but if you want to adjust, you might want to consider upping the exercise.

    Yep I run 6 miles 3 days a week and lift heavy the other 3 days. Its working for me so that's all that matters :)
  • Bakkasan
    Bakkasan Posts: 1,027 Member
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    So what you are saying is it isn't for you. Ok, move along! Losing that 100 pounds far outweighs the temporary stress low carbing can induce in some people. Note 'can' and 'some people' are key points. MAny studies are quite favorable to the lifestyle, and many are not. Let me know if eggs are OK today in the news. IF they are, tomorrow they won't be.

    And yea, there are some absolute anti low carb terrors around here who think they know all about everything.

    And again, Atkins was 72 not 27. Heart attack at that age is not unexpected.

    My total cholesterol is under 150. Eggs and bacon almost every day for a year before that test.
  • donnamdmiller
    donnamdmiller Posts: 2
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    South Beach includes many vegetables from day one and most fruits and whole grains after 2 weeks. I really don't consider South Beach a "low carb" diet.

    Thank you. I was hoping someone had mentioned this. And even in the first two week it never says to eat as much high fat meat as you want. It maintains moderation and low-fat...not anything you want.
  • Type1Rachelle
    Type1Rachelle Posts: 71
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    I completely agree that people are going to use what they want to use to lose weight. I'm currently on a very low carb diet, but I am also doing it with a doctor's supervision, and the way I've been told to do it is with low-cholesterol, low-fat, lean proteins. I can't eat all the eggs and bacon I want (as I had a friend yell at me before, because she thought that's what I was doing...). I'm also doing this because I'm insulin intolerant. My body simply can't process the insulin being made, so the glucose isn't getting into my cells.

    I also know a bit about biology. Yes, the brain can only use glucose for energy, but pyruvate can be converted into glucose via gluconeogenesis (creation of glucose from a non-carb substance). It takes longer than just ingesting a carb with glucose, but it does the same thing.

    To avoid kidney damage, most people don't know to up their water intake...by a LOT. I drink about 168oz of water a day so that the nephrons in my kidneys don't crystallize into kidney stones because of my diet. I also take vitamins for any other nutrients that I'm not getting through food. And I can eat fruits and veggies, but just the non-starchy ones.

    It CAN be done in a more healthful way, but I know that most people hear low carb and think that the person only eats meat and loses weight. And you are correct...THAT is very unhealthy. But it can be done. I still have over 100lbs to lose, and my doctor is adjusting my calorie intake based on how fast I lose, so I'm still losing fast, but not in way that will be harmful to me long-term.

    thanks for sharing - I think you meant "insulin resistant" not "tolerant" - your body doesn't use the insulin as efficiently as it should because of a variety of factors. it's great that your Dr has you on a low fat diet - dietary fat leads to insulin resistance. as for the kidney damage, it has more to do with ketone bodies, no mater how much water intake, but hydration is important. one thing I would recommend (and I'm sure your Dr already does) is exercise as it increases insulin sensitivity. good luck! :)
  • castlerobber
    castlerobber Posts: 528 Member
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    ketoacidosis != ketosis

    ketosis is fine.
    I get what you're saying, but long term ketosis can absolutely lead to ketoacidosis.

    Almost never will ketosis lead to diabetic ketoacidosis in someone whose body can still produce insulin. (There is a rare case other than that, but I can't think of what it is.)

    you're confusing ketoacidosis with diabetic ketoacidosis - they are not one in the same, they are two completely different pathologies. it is completely possible for long term ketois to develop into ketoacidosis - it happens all the time in starvation acidosis, what you see frequently in anorexia nervosa.

    You forgot alcoholic ketoacidosis, which is probably just as relevant...

    Here's what one source has to say about starvation ketoacidosis, cut down for length:
    Ketoacidosis can appear after an overnight fast but it typically requires 3 to 14 days of starvation to reach maximal severity.

    <snip>

    The acidosis even with quite prolonged fasting is only ever of mild to moderate severity with ketoanion levels up to a maximum of 3 to 5 mmol/l and plasma pH down to 7.3. This is probably due to the insulin level, which though lower, is still enough to keep the FFA levels less than 1mM.

    So if I understand that right, starvation ketoacidosis won't kill someone who still produces insulin. The starvation itself is another story. And we aren't talking about fasting and starvation anyway.

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