D-solve - Solve Diabetes Using Low Carb & Low Insulin Diabetes Management

There exists a group of individuals, whose ranks spread across theglobe, who earnestly believe in a theory known as the ‘metabolicadvantage’. This term was popularized by the late Dr. Robert Atkins,who claimed it was possible to gain weight on a high-carbohydratediet but lose weight on a low-carbohydrate diet even when the 2 dietscontained the exact same number of calories[1].Atkins’ theory has never been validated. In fact, repeated metabolicward studies – the most tightly controlled type of dietary study – haverepeatedly shown no difference in fat loss among low- and highcarbohydratediets of identical caloric content.

The persistence of an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes suggeststhat new nutritional strategies are needed if the epidemic is tobe overcome. A promising nutritional approach suggested by thisthematic review is carbohydrate restriction. Recent studies showthat, under conditions of carbohydrate restriction, fuel sources shiftfrom glucose and fatty acids to fatty acids and ketones, and that adlibitum–fed carbohydrate-restricted diets lead to appetite reduction,weight loss, and improvement in surrogate markers of cardiovasculardisease. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;86:276–84.

Objective: Various studies have convincingly shown the beneficial effect of ketogenic diet (in which the daily consumption of carbohydrate is less than 20 grams, regardless of fat, protein and caloric intake) in reducing weight in obese subjects. However, its long term effect on obese subjects with high total cholesterol (as compared to obese subjects with normal cholesterol level) is lacking. It is believed that ketogenic diet may have adverse effect on the lipid profile. Therefore, in this study the effect of ketogenic diet in obese subjects with high cholesterol level above 6 mmol/L is compared to those with normocholesterolemia for a period of 56 weeks.Results: The body weight and body mass index of both groups decreased significantly (P < 0.0001). The level of total holesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose level decreased significantly (P < 0.0001), whereas HDL holesterol increased significantly (P < 0.0001) after the treatment in both groups.Conclusion: This study shows the beneficial effects of ketogenic diet following its long term administration in obese subjects with a high level of total cholesterol. Moreover, this study demonstrates that low carbohydrate diet is safe to use for a longer period of time in obese subjects with a high total cholesterol level and those with normocholesterolemia.

The leading exercise physiology textbook tells us a “low-carbohydrate diet sets the stage for a significant loss of lean tissue as the body recruits amino acids from muscle to maintain blood glucose via gluconeogenesis [the formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate molecules such as amino acids].” Consequently, many exercise scientists maintain that the low-carbohydrate diets suck donkey balls because you will lose muscle mass rather than body fat. However, this is clearly not the case. Further, many scientists still claim a calorie is a calorie no matter what you eat. This article separates facts from the urban legends.

This commentary provides some basic information on metabolic adaptations that lead to sparing of muscle protein during a VLCARB, and reviews studies examining the effects of VLCARB interventions on body composition.