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Low-carb diets
Separating the fads from the fabulous
By Eileen Lucey
PPS Vice President
Its hard to find anyone today who is not on some sort of diet. Whether for losing weight or to encourage general health, most people are watching what they eat. Pemphigus patients have more reason than most to keep up with what is new in nutrition and weight loss research. What is different these days is that people often make their decisions based on input from the media. The old days of my doctor put me on a diet have become read this book and then talk to your doctor. Because diets plans are now sold, along with all the supporting elements, it takes a smart consumer to weed out the fads from the fabulous.
The latest news in dieting is low-carb, versions of which are popping up all over. Despite the impression this gives, theres nothing new about this idea. In the 1800s, after a long struggle with his weight, William Banting tried a diet recommended by his doctor, William Harvey.
Dr. Harvey had been influenced by research into diabetes, leading to his own research into how food affects the body. Banting tried the diet and found he was able to lose weight at a steady rate of about one pound a week. At his own expense, Banting published a report on his experiences, which caused the same sort of uproar in the medical community as we are seeing now regarding low carb. Then as now, the argument was that the diet made no sense; tending to ignore the plain fact that it worked.
Among the most popular diet books today are The Ultimate Weight Lose Solution by Phil McGraw (better known in the media as Dr. Phil), Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution by Robert C. Atkins and The South Beach Diet by Arthur Agatston. Mintel International, a consumer research group, finds that over 50% of Americans have tried the diet in the past, are currently on the diet or are cutting back carbs, or would try it in the future. Dr. Phils more general approach has elements which are useful for whatever sort of diet plan is required.
A low carbohydrate, high protein diet is one of the recommendations for those who use prednisone as part of their medical regime. Its also to the best advantage of everyone to keep weight in a reasonable range, reducing the chance that other health concerns be added to those existing. These days its easier than ever to find choices which make eating low carb simpler, but theres still the concern of doctors and friends to answer. The science behind low carb eating is the same since the days when Banting shared his success and started a diet fad in England. Studies of diabetes have shown that the type of food one chooses can have a significant effect on body chemistry. More recent studies have shown that these effects occur even in those without diabetes, and that those chemical reactions have an effect on whether or not a person can lose weight.
Theres a sensible one thing equals another balance in thinking that eating fat will lead to being fat. Low fat diets have been successful for many, but dont seem to work for others, leading to the frustration of knowing you are doing all the right things - but it isnt working. Studies now show that eating more protein on a regular basis keeps blood sugar levels in balance, allowing people better control of what they eat. Many report they have more energy after the first few days, as well as sleeping better.
For those who follow the plans as laid out, weight loss occurs at a steady rate; slow enough to be healthy and fast enough that the dieter does not get discouraged. There are medical concerns for those who dont follow the diets as recommended. Its tempting to stay at the extreme low carb level of eating, which usually shows a higher response in terms of weight loss. These are the people the medical community points to when they say low carb eating is dangerous - and the authors of both Atkins and South Beach would agree. Both diets begin with a period of reducing carbs to the bare minimum. This is a form of detox, to break out of the dependence on carbs to regulate mood and energy. After this initial period, both diets advise how to add carbohydrates back to your diet at a slow rate, finding the amount of carbohydrates which works best for your own metabolism. Both diets have several stages: the initial carb fast, weight loss, getting closer to the ideal weight and maintenance. Both books provide sample menus, recipes and tips for success. Anecdotal reports have shown that both diets work, often especially well for people who have had little or no luck with traditional low far regimes. Recent medical studies support the results, and more studies are being done.
Atkins is the name for low carb diets in the mind of most people. There are others, including the Carbohydrate Addicts, Protein Power, Sugar Busters and The Zone. While all of these have worked for some, most are more restrictive and require more attention to planning, as well has having less research to support their theories. Dr. Atkins decided to publish after years of experience in his own practice had shown him that diet he gave his patients, most of whom had not been able to loss weight on other plans, was something that could work for a more general populace. The book goes into detail about why it works, and gives a detailed plan of approach. Since the explosion of popularity, Atkins Nutritionals has expanded to provide food products such as snacks and meal packages for those who find it hard to do all the cooking themselves. The cookbooks and other supporting tips work to make Atkins a choice that can fit into any lifestyle.
South Beach is the newest player in the low carb game, and fast catching up in popularity. Dr. Agatston was working with cardiac patients and looking for something that would help them keep their weight under control. His ideas worked so well that the diet soon became a photocopied hand-out that people were sharing with their friends. Rather than let something with his name on it spread randomly, Agatston put together a book which describes the science behind his recommendations, as well as providing a plan and recipes for doing the diet correctly. The main difference between South Beach and other low carb diets has to do with the choice of foods. South Beach recommends choosing the lower fat versions when possible, and strongly supports choosing complex carbohydrates when adding those to your diet. Whole grains, whole fruit and vegetables, lean meats and very little sugar are the choices South Beach asks you to make. For some, this is a disadvantage, as choosing a low carb version of a fast food item would be against the spirit of the diet. South Beach allows more carbohydrates, but gives fewer choices of foods acceptable in that range. For those who like to cook, this diet will be easy. For those who depend on prepackaged foods it would be more of a challenge.
Phil McGraws Ultimate Weight Loss Challenge takes a more general approach. While the book does include a diet plan and recommendations on how to eat, the real heart of the book is about how to mentally, emotionally and physically prepare to diet. Dr. Phil talks about the ways dieters mentally sabotage their chances of success, how its possible to start a diet for the wrong reasons (which is an almost sure sign you will not succeed) and how to design your environment to support your plan. Written in the straightforward style for which he is known, the Weight Loss Challenge provides useful tools for planning any lifestyle change. Subtitled The 7 Keys to Weight Loss Freedom, the book provides a structure that will give any diet a better chance of success.
As always, when making changes in your diet, consultation with your doctor is essential. Pemphigus and pemphigoid patients have a number of concerns that are not addressed by a diet designed for the general population. All low carb diets recommend supplements, some of which might be contraindicated when taken with some medications. Its easier to find ways to eat a high protein diet these days, but there is no one size fits all. Atkins has a great deal of flexibility inside the parameters of the diet. South Beach is less flexible in some ways, more so in others, and many find it easier to fit into a lifestyle that includes family members who dont need to diet. Dr. Phil has helpful advice no matter what eating plan you use. None of these plans should be used without a careful reading of the complete book. The details needed to use these diets correctly cant be found in an overview and are often overlooked in magazine articles and other general reports. Finding an eating plan that will work for the long term requires research and being realistic about what will work for your lifestyle. Do your own research, be honest about what you can manage and take care of yourself.
