Low Carb vs. Low Calorie, Low Fat Anonymous 7:06 PM

I can't tell you the number of times I have heard, "Well, if you just watch your calories and fat you'll lose weight!"  I know, I know, it has been what we've been told for decades now, "Eat less, exercise more...it's all about calories in vs. calories out!"

When I tell others about low carb eating I am often met with comments that include, "I lost all my weight just watching my calories and exercising. It's what works best for me." I can't help but wonder when I hear things like that how long it will be before that person goes face down in the feed bag, because you know, if you've ever lost weight like that yourself, that what is really happening is you're starving. If you have followed a low calorie, low fat diet for any length of time you may have lost weight, but you have also robbed your body of important nutrients, and it may shock you to know that much of the weight you've lost may not necessarily be all fat (or even mostly fat); a low calorie, low fat diet makes it so your body consumes its lean tissue, too. That includes one of the most important of the organs of your body - - the heart.

So, what is the advantage of losing weight and maintaining that weight with low carb eating vs. low fat, low calorie eating?

1. You keep your muscle mass when you eat low carb.
2. You don't really have to count anything on low carb once you learn what foods you can eat.
3. You don't ever have to be hungry.
4. You don't have to exercise until you fall over from exhaustion.
5. You keep your brain healthier and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease.
6. You don't feel like you have to take a nap after lunch.
7. Bacon. Real Bacon.
8. If you have suffered from acid reflux it will disappear.
9. If you are diabetic you may be able to reduce your medication intake (with doctors supervision), or completely eliminate the need for it.
10. If you take anti-depressants, you may find you don't need those anymore, either.
11. Butter. Real Butter.
12. Low carb eating lowers blood pressure.
13. A low carb diet lowers triglycerides.
14. Did I mention Bacon? ;-)

And really, this way of eating goes beyond weight loss. The weight loss is a happy side-effect. This is really about good health.

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.

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…