Quote:
Originally Posted by bunbury  I switched to low-carb and my BG and lipids improved a lot and quickly before the weight loss kicked in. The weight loss then followed and both lipids and BG continued to get better. Another 6 months on, I now feel great - and have shed another 28lbs.
Not scientific, I agree. But it works for me. |
Actually personal experience has perfectly valid contribution to science. But sometimes personal observation doesn't give enough data to help us understand why/how it is working. And unless someone is actually measuring exactly what you eat and drink and the effects, it is all slightly skewed by your own biases.
In my experience, I cannot eat as low carb as Frank does. My body starts cannibalising itself. Which is my own fault, but I really struggle to eat that much fat and protein. I can do it for a day and then I start skipping meals cos I just can't face it. So I can stick to low carb, but I just don't eat enough food.
But I definitely can't eat as much carb as is recommended by most dietitians and I only eat about half as much as my own dietitian recommends.
I am also not a snacker. The dietitian wants me to eat up to three snacks a day as well as meals. If I graze (ie eating all the time) I don't want to eat at all because I never get hungry. So my total food intake gets smaller everyday and I start losing weight again.
So I applaud successes based on finding what works for you. I'd just starve if I didn't work my diet around what works. I really like carb counting. Gives me a happy little feeling of control (sad I know
).
But I am very conscious of the fact that with such vast changes in diet and body (some of you are talking about losing half or more of your body weight), at some point your biochemistry alters to adjust and you may find that what works now is not going to be a life long thing. And it may be improving the markers that as diabetics you associate with health, but is it possible you are ignoring other markers of your own health in the pursuit of being the 'perfect diabetic'.
Not arguing against low carb because it really is the best way to eat for your diabetes. And quite effective in weight loss for whatever reason. But what is best for your diabetes and weight loss may not be perfect for your overall health in the long run.
I'd really like to know what possible health complications come of it. There are issues with most diets on offer, it's worth it to know what the bad side is of your diet so that you can do something about it (supplements or adjustments).
ie I'm lactose intolerant so I don't eat any dairy. And even if I do I can't digest it. So it is in the interests of my health that I avoid dairy. But my calcium intake has gotta be suffering from it.
Are there health issues from extreme low carbing that you are possibly ignoring or missing because currently the benefits are so huge?
Like the issue of kidney problems. Diabetes is a burden on your kidneys. High protein diets are a burden on your kidneys. I've read some posts suggesting that this is not a problem if your kidneys are fine. But will they continue to be fine if you burden them? And how will you know if it's not an issue until it's too late? And if it's a possibility what can you do within your diet parameters to avoid this issue?
