Is There a (Low Carb) Doctor In The House? Anonymous 8:01 AM

Okay, so, in one of my previous posts I mentioned a co-worker telling me that she had been to a dentist, and...well, turns out I misunderstood her...it was her DOCTOR who was recommending a low carb diet. Don't know how I got dentist out of the conversation, but she had been talking about her teeth. Anyhow...

I asked her his name, thinking perhaps at some point I would contact him to see if he would like inclusion on Jimmy Moore's Low Carb Doctors List, since the closest doc to me on said list is about an hour away. I may do that at some point, but for anyone in my area who is curious in the meantime, his name is Dr. Thomas R. Dixon, and he's located in Kettering, OH.

Myself, I don't typically have need for a doctor, since I have been eating a healthy low carb diet. My immunity has been given a boost, my blood pressure is great, my weight is not an issue, etc....but if I should need a doctor for any reason, I will check this guy out.

Guinea Pigs, Unite! (Or Not) Anonymous 9:45 AM

Obviously, doing a low carb way of eating has done a lot of good for me. I have struggled for a while to find an appropriate "label" to describe my way of living/eating, and have come to the conclusion that I am just not going to find one; at least not one that already exists. Perhaps that is not a bad thing. I have never really liked being labeled anyway, why do it now?

Recently a high profile Paleo blogger has abandoned ship, renouncing what he has touted as an optimal way of eating in favor of a more pesce-vegetarian, low fat diet with underpinnings of Chinese medical and religious philosophies (or, that's what I can gather out of it, at least). I find this all rather peculiar, since he has only fairly recently mentioned any issues he has had with the Paleo diet he has followed for 14 years, but he is obviously having some health issues (whether those issues are primarily related to what he believes they are related to is an entirely different story).

Paleo, Primal, Low Carb, Archevore, Atkins, Weston Price, Whole Food...what have I left out? All of these philosophies have contributed to the way I eat today. For the most part I shun grass grains and sugar, and most starches, though occasionally I will have some potatoes fried in lard or tallow, or some white rice. My way of eating is actually changing all the time. Changing, but not really diverting from a high fat, moderate protein, low carb model of eating. Some things I eat may or may not work for someone else. Why is that? Simply, we've all walked different roads, and the damage I have done to my body over the years with whatever toxins or "mal-nutrients" I have ingested has effected my particular genetic makeup in its own individual way. I have done a lot of damage, I am sure. I did eat low fat/low calorie for extended periods of time, and was anorexic during certain points in my life. I also ingested a bunch of processed foods and vegetable oils. Who knows what lasting effects that will have on my mortal body in the long run? Only time will tell, but right now, as I live in the present, I know that I feel better and perform better with very few carbohydrates and little processed foods.

I do believe everyone has to find their own best diet. I will not, however, ever believe that there is any good in Veg*ism, Low Fat or Low Calorie eating.

I will continue to read, research, and glean information about what could be beneficial to add and/or delete from my way of eating. I am a self-made guinea pig for my own well-being.

More Than the Tooth...errr, Truth! Anonymous 9:24 PM

A co-worker of mine told me last week that she had recently gone to the dentist, and had a less than stellar check-up. She also told me that he had recommended a low carb diet to help prevent tooth decay, and then she said, “I told him I have a friend at work who can tell me all about that!” Obviously I am not meek about my lifestyle…I like to share, when I am able. I told her I’d be happy to tell her anything she wanted to know.

Better dental/mouth health is but one of the things that a low carb diet is good for, and our little exchange got me thinking about all of the benefits.

I have often said that the weight loss that is enjoyed by eating a low carb diet is just a happy side effect; the best benefits are improvements that can mean the difference between a good quality, healthy life, and a life of illnesses and disease. For some it can mean the difference between life and death.

So, what are the benefits of eating low carb? I will list a few, but this is in no way exhaustive. There is also more information about these listed items than what links I am posting, but this should give you a good starting point if you’d like to do your own research.

1.      Weight loss – Obviously this is a big one for a lot of people when they start to eat low carb. Weight seems to melt off rather effortlessly on low carb, and it’s a fact it is much healthier for you than a low calorie, low fat diet.  http://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/2011/05/low-carb-beats-low-fat-for-weight-loss.html

2.      Prevention, Maintenance of Diabetes Mellitus – A low carb diet is a safe, effective, low cost way to prevent and reverse the occurrence of Type II Diabetes. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1570767/

3.      Increased Energy, Stamina – Have you ever been on a low calorie/low fat diet and just didn’t feel like moving? Good reason for that…it’s not the fuel your body needs to run efficiently. On low carb you will find your energy goes through the roof. If you ever had to huff and puff to get up a staircase before low carb, it won’t be long after you start low carb that you can take that staircase with ease. http://www.ergo-log.com/lowcarbendurance.html

4.      Strengthened Immune System – Sugar and carbohydrates (which are converted to sugar in the body once ingested) are immune system depressants. Eliminating carbs and sugars from your diet give your immune system a huge boost. The low carb diet coupled with increased Vitamin D, whether in supplement form or from sunlight exposure, is a sure way to better fight off the nasties all year long. http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sugar.htm and http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

5.      Clearer Skin – Most low carbers enjoy the clearing of acne, psoriasis, dry skin, and other rashes. http://www.drbriffa.com/2007/07/09/low-carb-diet-found-to-be-effective-for-acne/ and http://paleohacks.com/questions/1581/does-your-psoriasis-improve-on-a-paleo-diet#axzz1P75VGm61

6.      Easing Joint Pain and Inflammation throughout the Body – It’s just a fact: a low carb diet reduces inflammation in the body. Many arthritic low carbers report that their arthritis symptoms have improved. Another benefit of reducing inflammation is a healthier cardiovascular system. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203091236.htm and http://healthnewsreport.blogspot.com/2010/01/low-carb-diet-reduces-pain-and.html and http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/cardiovascular-disease/inflammation-and-diet/ and http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/08/health/webmd/main2164981.shtml

7.      Lower Blood Pressure – Many low carb eaters who have been taking prescription medication for high blood pressure have found that they need their dosage adjusted, or can completely eliminate the need for blood pressure medication altogether. http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20100125/low-carb-diet-lowers-blood-pressure and http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/01/26/us-low-carb-idUSTRE60P6HG20100126

Here is a link with some anecdotal benefits from low carb dieters: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Special-Diets-768/low-carb-diet-health.htm

With just these benefits alone, can you understand how excited I get about sharing this information with everyone who will listen? I will tell you, though, most people really don’t want to listen, but I keep trying…

This is only a test... Anonymous 4:35 PM

Testing posting from my cell...

Percentages on the Plate Anonymous 9:08 AM

@livinlowcarbman Tried my hand at redesigning the MyPlate gra... on Twitpic

This is actually a good representation of the percentages of macronutrients you should be eating at every meal. Just make sure the protein comes from an animal source for the most part, and the carbs are mostly from a plant source.

Of Accountability, Disclosure, and Haters Anonymous 7:08 PM

It is not new news that there is a hater in our “low carb” midst; someone who has set themselves up as an expert, a scientist, an authority, the ultimate in critical thinking skills. This person, however, will not disclose their name, though they have posted a proud list of credentials, and a profile photo on their blog that appears to have been taken some years ago. They seem to "diss" every figurehead of the low carb community with glee, even adding cutsie little $ymbols to some names to signify their disdain with those who they see as cashing in on people’s stupidity.

Personally, I have no problem with differing opinions; I take in all information and analyze and research to form my own conclusions, as I am sure many others do, as well. Those who feel strongly about their own stance where low carb scientific information is concerned, especially when their reputation is threatened, have every right to stand up for themselves and not take disrespect or erroneous information lying down. What is a little odd is the one who has taken it upon themselves to create a persona of authority, and then peer down from their wobbly, lofty pedestal to bash everyone whom they accuse of shunning them and their ideas.

This person admits that they have lost weight on low carb, yet finds fault at every turn with advice doled out by several true experts in the field. They also admit that they have not shed all the weight they would like to, and that they are still overweight. And still, even with that, they post photos of those in the limelight of the community, the ones who have had some stumbles, or health issues that caused them to put on additional pounds, to ridicule them, and to cast doubt on their authority…or on the low carb way of life itself.

I don’t know this person, obviously (and does anyone, really? Is that person in the photo even them?), but their posts and comments strike me as someone who is a true Sociopath, or in less archaic terms, has Antisocial Personality Disorder. I am not a doctor, nor a Psychologist, but I am educated, and have a background in psychology, science and biological studies. I am also a real person, with a name, who is not afraid to be accountable for what I say and what I believe in.

Then again, if I were this person, I wouldn’t be very proud to attach my name to any of the nastiness that has been spewed by this person on their blog.

MyPlate, Big Fail Anonymous 9:49 AM

Big fail, USDA, with the MyPlate update to what you are recommending America eats. Way to continue promoting the cash crops that only benefit the government. The recommendations like "Enjoy your food, but eat less," won't help anyone stay healthy, especially when you are recommending things like "Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk," and "Make at least half your grains whole grains." Sugar and poison. Good job.

For anyone concerned with their health, or their weight, I suggest you make your plate look something like this:

This doesn't even give the whole picture of what is healthy to eat, but it's a far cry better than the USDA plate.

Time Flies Anonymous 12:35 AM

So, it's been over a year since I last posted, and so much has happened in that span of time...and a few things I was afraid were going to happen, didn't.

I was married to the love of my life last May. It has been the most blissful year of marriage ever, even though other things around us weren't so wonderful. My mother, whom I talk about in this post, survived her ordeal, and after many struggles with MRSA and VRE, had her left leg amputated below the knee. She is better, but still recovering.

I definitely got off track where low carb eating was concerned during that time, and ended up gaining a bit of weight. Thank goodness I didn't get hideously sidetracked and gain back what I had lost and more. No, I had changed my eating habits enough that this has been the most minor of setbacks, and I have been back on track and the excess baggage is coming off quite nicely. I just want to make it clear that low carb hasn't failed me...I failed IT for a while.

While I haven't kept up with my blog, I have kept up with some of my favorite bloggers/low carb community peeps, and the latest studies on health and diet. I have been pleased to see a move in the mainstream way of thinking away from low fat eating, even if it is ever-so-slight.

It is my hope that I won't lose the momentum this time, and I will be blogging on a fairly regular basis again. It won't be daily, but weekly or bi-weekly, unless I can eke out some extra writing time here and there. Sometimes my job and family take up all my available time, and they do come first! I want to get back to it, though... I have some things I want to say and share.