The case for lowcarbohydrate diets (Part 2)

L ast week, we discussed various effects of a low- carb diet. But some nutritionists actually beg to differ. This week we will examine why nutritionists don’t think that going ketogenic or low- carb is ideal.

There is little evidence to prove that our ancestors got less than 15 percent of calories from carbohydrates. Most low carb advocates maintain that this is how our bodies are meant to function (less than 15 percent of our calories coming from carbohydrate sources). There is little evidence to support that. While it is true that we consume more carbohydrates in our society now, those societies still consumed 30 to 40 percent of calories from carbohydrate sources, so it’s not that “low” carb to start with. Carbohydrates during these times could come from fruits, vegetables, tubers and honey.

Some people do well with it; others don’t. Some people seem to thrive with it; some people, not so much. I’ve seen people lose weight on low carb diets, and I’ve seen people lose weight on diets that include carbohydrates.

Asians eat so much rice but do not gain weight (at least they used not to gain weight). Asians consume the most rice in the planet, but why are we leaner than our Caucasian non-rice eating counterparts? Seems like lots of walking and movement as well as genetics have a role to play in ensuring that rice is metabolized by the body.

Low- carb might be useful for specific situations. These include: Overweight and obesity, high blood sugar, metabolic syndrome, diabetes ( both type 1 and type 2), traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, other neurological conditions, PCOS etc.

But just because it’s useful for some doesn’t mean it is useful for all. This is when things start having a cult following. When it works for some doesn’t mean it’s going to work for everybody. Overall we must find the nutritional strategy that will keep us healthy, active and happy for the rest of our lives.