Nutrition and Weight Loss Ideas

Last week we started a discussion about altering your diet towards fewer carbohydrates — well — at least fewer of the unhealthy carbohydrates, like the starchy and sugary carbs. This week let’s take a look at some ways to decide whether focusing strictly on a low carb diet is the right thing for you. Of course, as with anything of this type, whether it’s diet change or a change in your exercise routine, you should always consult your medical professional before making the change. I’ll talk more about that below.

I know that for me following a low carb diet has worked wonders. I’m always careful about the amount of sugar that I intake each day — and although I do eat bread and pasta, I do try to limit the quantity, and I rarely ever eat any that isn’t 100% whole wheat. The goal is to keep the weight under control and stay away from the dangers of heart disease and diabetes.

If every person had the exact same body type and exact same body chemistry then it would be a “piece of cake” to have a “cookie-cutter” diet plan to lose weight. (Talk about mixed metaphors, huh? — plus the metaphors are both bad carbs! — LOL) But unfortunately it’s more complex than that and not every diet is right or beneficial for every person. Food allergies, existing health problems, and other conditions all help predetermine which diets will work and which diets should be avoided.

This holds true for the low carb diet as well. There are many variations of low carb dieting on the market but they all have one thing in common – reduce your carbohydrates.

So how do you know if a low carb approach is safe for you? Obviously going to a doctor would be the first step, preferably a family doctor that knows your history. With an assessment and a look into your family health history, your doctor should be able to give you better direction into your low carb dieting goals.

What kind of information will help you assess whether a low carb diet is safe for you? Here are some of the factors that are important to assessing your low carb plan.

(1) Your LDL cholesterol — Low density lipoprotein — the kind you don’t want much of because it stays in your bloodstream and can cause a variety of serious health problems including coronary artery disease.

(2) Your Triglycerides — These are calories ingested in a meal and not used immediately by tissues. These calories are converted to triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored. High levels of these can lead to coronary artery disease.

(3) Your Total Cholesterol level — Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that is important for normal body functioning. Cholesterol is used for cellular functions and the production of hormones. Your body, in most cases, will produce enough cholesterol to maintain normal body needs. The liver is the major production factory for cholesterol (about 70%). Diets high in saturated fats, significantly increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood stream. Recommended daily intake of fat should not exceed 30% of calories, with a maximum of 10% being from saturated fat. Research indicates that diets high in saturated and total fat, play a significant role in the process of atherosclerosis (plaque buildup on the artery walls).

(4) HDL cholesterol — high density lipoprotein, known as “good” cholesterol because it helps return cholesterol to the liver, where it can be eliminated from the body.

(5) Blood pressure. Blood pressure is a measurement of the force applied to the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps blood through the body. The pressure is determined by the force and amount of blood pumped, and the size and flexibility of the arteries. High blood pressure is usually seen when cholesterol level is also high.

These are all important factors when assessing your low carb plan. Why? Because people metabolize carbohydrates in different ways and some carbs are beneficial while others are harmful to your health.

Collect information about your family history, mainly your immediate family like your brothers, your sisters, parents and children. Every disease and surgery should be recorded as well as any chronic diseases. Once you have collected this information about your immediate family then move on to your extended family like your aunts, uncles, and grandparents. The more information that you provide to your family doctor the better he or she can help you determine if a low carb diet is safe for you.

Above all, watch out for diabetes, a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. Diabetes affects more than 15 million Americans and could be very dangerous for you to partake in a low carb diet. As always, please consult a physician or doctor before practicing any diet or exercise regimen.

Next week we’ll talk more about low carb dieting and some of the choices you can make. The next few articles will presume that low carb dieting is safe for you and that you have determined that by consulting with your doctor.
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Got questions?

Contact me at: http://www.ronrink.com

My email and phone number are at that site. Feel free to contact me. I’m here to help you with your health, nutrition and fitness goals.

Have a healthy and nutritious day!

Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)

Ron
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