Pritikin and other extreme low-fatters are having a hard time finding recruits nowadays.
Their ascetic, hair-shirt message has lost its appeal. So they're spin doctoring.
"Risk of heart disease is greatly increased on a low-carbohydrate, low-fiber diet that is high in animal protein, cholesterol and saturated fat. All three raise serum cholesterol, particularly LDL or "bad" cholesterol."
Nice try. No study has shown such a thing at all. In fact, the data on ACTUAL low-carb diet studies shows the exact opposite. Next. . .
"The risk for many cancers is likely to increase when most fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans are eliminated from the diet."
Nope. Pure supposition. (A) No low-carb diet ELIMINATES any of the above. They LIMIT them to moderate amounts. (B) The 'studies' that purport to show the benefits of such foods make comparisons to people who eat refined stuff and garbage, NOT to low-carb eaters. Next. .
"There is no metabolic magic in low-carbohydrate diets. Those who continue to lose weight after the first week do so because they decrease calorie intake."
Phony argument. There is no metabolic magic in fat-free all-grass diets either. People who eat shrubbery and cattle feed simply end up eating fewer calories because the food tastes like dreck. Been there, done that.
"But a reduction in variety most often leads to boredom and cravings over the long run. One recent study showed that a high protein meal leads to a greater tendency towards binging of foods high in sugar and fat later in the day."
Phony. A fatless, all-plant diet also leads to boredom and cravings for high-fat, satiating, and nutritious foods. Eat low-fat for a week, and you'll ache for ANYTHING with a drop of fat in it. Been there, done that.
"Since the 1930's it has been known that a high-carbohydrate diet can enhance endurance during strenuous athletic events. "
(A) And since the '90's when people actually studied such things, they found high-fat is just as effective. (B) 99% of us arent' marathoners, and don't pretend to be.
"Mountain climbers and skiers should be warned that a ketogenic diet greatly increases the risk of mountain sickness."
(A) Where's the data for this one? (B) Mountain climbers represent, what, maybe 0.00003% of the population?
"Blood pressure will likely increase with age on a typical low-carbohydrate diet."
A pure guess. Fantasy.
"These foods, all high in magnesium, potassium and calcium, were the mainstay of the DASH diet, which was shown to lower blood pressure."
NOT eliminated on a low-carb diet. Besides HOW MUCH did it lower blood pressure? A pittance. Also, a low-carb diet, low in sugars and starches, and generating a minimal amount of insulin, OFTEN lowers blood pressure.
" An excess of uric acid in the body causes gout. This excess can be caused by an increased intake of foods high in purines, which are broken down into uric acid in the body. Meat, poultry, nuts, seeds, eggs and seafood are all fairly
high in purines."
A non sequitir. Does eating these foods actually cause gout? Or are certain people pre-disposed to gout no matter what they eat?
"Both uric acid and calcium oxalate stones are more likely to form on a high protein, ketogenic diet than on a higher carbohydrate diet with more fruits and vegetables."
Really? Where's the data for this one? Just another guess. Another 'maybe.'
"Over time, excess protein intake, especially from animal sources, increases the loss of calcium in the urine which may contribute to osteoporosis."
Nope, again. Studies on people eating natural meat (not protein isolates) show NO loss of bone, no net loss of calcium. In fact, the more animal protein, the stronger the bone, the fewer the fractures. Next. . .
"Keto-breath can be described as a cross between nail polish and over-ripe pineapple. This is common for dieters who consume so few carbohydrate that
they put their bodies in a state of ketosis."
Okay. MAYBE this happens to some ultra-low-carb dieters. But it's no worse than standing down-wind of a bean-eating vegan who spews sulfur/methane emissions every four minutes. (Been there, smelled that. Not pleasant.)
"Orthostatic hypotension, or a rapid drop in blood pressure when you go from lying down to standing, is caused by a loss of fluid and electrolytes and reduced sympathetic nervous system activity. Both of these occur when your body is deprived of carbohydrate."
(A) Any of you low-carbers experience this? (B) Were you on blood pressure meds? (C) So, should you eat more starch to RAISE your blood pressure?
"Your best bet for permanent weight loss and good health is three fold:
1) Increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, nonfat dairy products, whole grains and beans that you eat."
We eat plenty of plant stuff. Just not the sugary, starchy stuff.
" 2) Eliminate calorie-dense foods that are high in fat and refined carbohydrates
such as cookies, sugary desserts, bagels, crackers, chips, fries, pizza, candies, etc."
Good idea. NO low-carber eats any of that stuff. NO low-carb diet recommends trash like that.
"3) Exercise on a regular basis. Research on people who have successfully
lost a lot of weight and kept it off long term, shows that the vast majority succeeded by consuming a high-fiber, lowfat diet coupled with regular exercise.
Good idea. Where does it say that low-carbing means sitting on the couch?
And who is this 'vast majority' you speak of? The National Weight Control registry? Not a valid sample. Not verified. Not representative. Not controlled. Just a PR gimmick.
Sorry. Just needed to vent. I'm tired of mis-dis-information and PR spin doctoring.
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