There is one important difference between support forums and reading a book, coverage.

In a forum, you have to look for the information, or ask for it, and you will need to know what to ask for. And many critical issues may escape you, and you may not how to ask for it, or even realize that you need to know.

In a book, the authors tend to cover everything they think you need to know, making (or should) no asumption about what you alredy know. As responsible doctors, they usually warn for certain conditions and from their experience in the practice, offer additional guidance, only a professional can think of.

There's an advantage to each. Read the book for an overall coverage, then mix with the crowds here to get additional ideas, discuss some aspects in further details, and compare your experience with others.

One thing that is a unique in discussion groups is feedback. We may all understand different things from a book, and discussing some points may correct or enhance what your understood from the book.

So I'd say reading a book on low-carbing first is necessary to cover the bases. Joining and participating in a discussion group is very valuable.

Wa'il