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Dieters Believe Low-Carb Foods a Quick Fix
Posted by: Dr. Mercola
July 10 2004 | 961 views

Americans flocking to the meat section of grocery stores checking off the low-carb items on their grocery lists might be putting their health at risk and spending needless money on questionable low-carb products.

The vast number of people following the recommendations of popular low-carb diets such as Atkins and stocking up on loads of animal protein may be putting themselves in the higher risk bracket of developing chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and diabetes. They are also compromising their health by eliminating proven disease-fighting foods such as fruits and vegetables from their diet.

Research has shown that following diets such as these could result in serious health repercussions such as kidney stress, liver problems and gout.

This process leads to a condition called ketosis in which the body gets rid of excess water while it works on eliminating a build-up of protein and fat-breakdown products.

Supporters of Atkins

Some doctors stated that the Atkins diet was healthy and included recommendations of five daily servings of vegetables or fruit each day.

On the contrary, other experts expressed concerns over the growing number of people cutting back on their fruit and vegetable intake. Another study revealed that low-carb followers were spending around $85 a month on products with unsubstantiated low-carb claims.

Although some people have experienced success with low-carb diets for the initial six months of the diet, research has shown that low-fat diets eventually produced equal results after one year.

Yahoo News June 22, 2004


Dr. Mercola''s Comments
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
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There are good reasons why low-carb diets work for some people and not others--once you understand more about metabolic typing. You'll also begin to appreciate why all the good carbs in your diet should be coming from low-glycemic vegetables, not grains.

Marketers will continue to take full advantage of the low-carb market as long as there is a thriving market. Unfortunately, many of the low-carb claims of these products haven't been thoroughly researched.

In many cases people do find success from low-carb diets, however they don't work for everyone and those who try it and don't get the results they were hoping for may quickly become discouraged.

The bottom line is that the reason why so many people fail at this diet--and others--is because a one-size-fits-all approach to diet just doesn't work.

Once you understand that everyone has their own metabolic type, you will be able determine whether a high-protein diet is right for you, or if you actually need a high-carb diet (with vegetables as the primary carb source) to look and feel your best.

Contrary to today's popular belief, certain carbohydrates are not evil and some people actually need a high-carb diet to lose weight.

In my book, The Total Health Program, you will find that you can eat what you want as long as you know your nutritional type--and a brief test is included to help you determine what type you are. The book also provides you with 150 delicious nutritious low-carb recipes geared toward your metabolic type. So put the unhealthy low-carb snacks aside and put yourself on the right path to eating healthy and optimizing your health and weight for life.

Related Articles:

What to do When the Atkins Diet Fails You ... and Why it Usually Does

Do Low-Carb Diets Work?

Find Out if "Living the Low-Carb Life"is Right for You

The Success of Low-Carb Diets

Bread Bashing at All-Time High

Low-Carb Stores Becoming More Common

Low Carb is Here to Stay





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