Some time ago now, the American Heart Association (AHA) stopped beating the "low-fat drum". For example, Richard N. Fogoros, M.D., the cardiologist who is the About.com Guide to Heart Disease is a supporter of carbohydrate reduction. But I've got to admit I was surprised at the openness of a spokesperson for the AHA, when discussing a recent study presented at the annual meeting of the AHA a couple of weeks ago.The study looked at people with metabolic syndrome (often a precursor to diabetes), and is what is called a "cross-over study", meaning that everyone tried both diets being tested, for four weeks each. Some started with the low-fat diet (20% fat, 65% carbohydrate) and others with the "moderate fat" diet (40% fat, 45% carbohydrate). Both diets were low in saturated fats. Importantly, the diet was designed to keep weight stable, so that the diets could be evaluated apart from any effect on weight.
Those of us who follow low-carb science are not surprised that the people with metabolic syndrome had better cholesterol and triglycerides when on the lower-carb, higher-fat, diet. Interestingly, Alice Lichtenstein, a spokeswoman for the AHA is quoted in Healthday as saying, "Since 2000, the AHA has been recommending not a low-fat diet, but one that is low in saturated fats and trans fatty acids. People with metabolic syndrome are glucose-intolerant, meaning they can't process blood sugar well. Low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets exacerbate this condition." [emphasis mine] Furthermore, Dr. Alfred Bove, president of the American College of Cardiology is quoted as saying, "It probably affects the way insulin is released because if you have a lot of carbohydrates in the diet, you tend to generate a lot of insulin, and insulin is the hormone that lowers blood sugar...In addition to lowering blood sugar, it also increases appetite so a lot of people on high-carb diets are restimulated to eat more."
Those are pretty strong endorsements for cutting carbs!! I believe this is the first time I have heard that a major health organization has said that people with metabolic syndrome should not eat a low-fat high-carb diet. (Are you listening, American Diabetes Association?)
Photo © A.D.A.M.
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Wow! I’m shocked….but they need to go lower than 45% carbs! And stop worrying about sat fats!
I know it’s a start….but we still have a LONG way to go!
Low-carb eating will be much more common in 10-20 years, after the reigning voices in medicine and nutrition science retire. They are heavily invested in the old, discredited diet-heart hypothesis.
The younger guys are open to new ideas.
-Steve
They refuse to accept that saturated fats are GOOD for you…
I get so much flack from the other medical professionals that I work with,Im so happy to hear that we are leaning towards the more healthy lower carb diet!
This is very helpful. It’s a process. As a woman who was diagnosed with PCOS and a family history of Type 2 diabetes, my heart health is something I focus on. It’s very motivating to know low carbing is not only helps me lose weight, it’s also protecting my heart.
those on low carb or no carb diets probably should add fiber to prevent bowel problems
I was badly overweight with diabetes out of control before being saved by the atkins diet, constipation can be and was severe during the early period so I added fiber but later when my system had changed and theatkins was working, I stopped the fiber.I didnt realise that the strict version of atkins has almost no fiber
all went well for 2 years then I was alternating between constipation and diarea all the time. eventually I stopped this, simply by adding fiber, I used oat bran. it seems the bowel works best with some fiber to stimulate it
This is a step into the right direction. Next they should fight the sodium levels which are way too high in many foods.
Someday the current FDA Pyramid and the ADA vague diet guidelines will be considered a form of child abuse.
SUGAR IS THE PROBLEM,NOT HI OR LOW CARBS 111
Read Dr. Mark Hyman,M.D. NEW BOOK
THE BLOOD SUGAR SOLUTION.
He explains how to solve the problems and cure the ills