| Weight Loss Miracles- Is
There Such a Thing?
By
Julie Lenk, Registered Dietitian
Every
time we turn around there seems to
be a new diet promising a weight
loss miracle. The most popular
weight loss diets over the past
few years have been the
low-carbohydrate, high-protein
diets such as Enter The Zone,
Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution and
Protein Power. Despite the
fact that the authors of these fad
diets have no scientific evidence
to back up their weight loss
theories, they have still caught
the attention of many people.
What
is the theory that drives these
diets?
Authors
of diets such as Enter The
Zone, Dr. Atkins' New Diet
Revolution and Protein
Power claim that carbohydrates
cause weight gain. They state that
foods high in carbohydrate trigger
the release of excess amounts of
insulin, which in turn stores
carbohydrate as fat. The truth is,
insulin is the hormone responsible
for the body’s blood sugar
regulation; therefore, it is a
normal and necessary response to
eating. There is absolutely no
scientific evidence to support the
theory that carbohydrates or
insulin on its own cause weight
gain. In fact, studies suggest
that a high carbohydrate intake is
associated with lower body weight
and lower rates of cancer and
heart disease. Although diet plays
a role in body weight and health,
physical activity and genetics are
also involved.
Do
these diets lead to weight loss?
In many cases the
low-carbohydrate, high-protein
diets do lead to dramatic weight
loss within the first few days,
but there is a catch. Weight that
is lost quickly will be regained
quickly once a person starts
eating their usual diet. The
initial decrease in weight occurs
because of an overall decrease of
food intake compared to the diet a
person normally eats. With this
decreased intake, the body loses
muscle (stored protein is used for
energy), water and valuable
minerals (leading to dehydration).
Once a person starts to eat
normally again, the body will
devour and store the lost water,
and will use protein to re-build
muscle, resulting in weight gain.
This type of rapid weight loss can
be very harmful to the body.
Risky
Business
There
are many serious risk factors
associated with low-carbohydrate,
high-protein diets. One of the
most serious risks is the build up
of ketones in the body. Ketones
are produced by the body when the
muscles are not getting enough
carbohydrate to use for energy.
This build up of ketones can put
the body in a state called “ketosis”
causing dehydration, headaches,
fainting, irritability, bad breath
and kidney problems.
Many
high protein foods are also high
in fat. Eating a high fat diet
leads to an increased risk of
heart disease and cancer.
Consuming
a diet high in protein places
extra stress on the kidneys. This
may result in kidney problems, as
well as an increased loss of
calcium in the urine.
Carbohydrates
Are Essential
Carbohydrates
are our body’s main source of
energy and are essential for good
health. For any activity we
perform, from breathing to
running, we need the energy that
comes from carbohydrate-containing
foods.
Carbohydrate
foods such as pasta, whole grains,
rice, fruits and vegetables
contain many disease-fighting
compounds including fibre, as well
as vitamins and minerals. In
addition to energy, carbohydrates
help control cholesterol, promote
good bowel habits and contribute
to the feeling of fullness after a
meal.
How
To Manage Your Weight
The
bottom line is: Diets don’t
work! The secret to losing weight
and staying healthy is to make
gradual lifestyle changes that you
can stick to over time. Try to
become more active and eat a
variety of healthy and delicious
foods that contain carbohydrates,
protein and fat.
Canada’s
Food Guide to Healthy Eating has
some great guidelines for healthy
food choices as well as
recommended serving sizes…and it
is FREE! Call or stop by your
health unit for a copy.
If
you are confused about fad diets
or would like more information on
healthy body weights call the
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark
District Health Unit at 613-345-5685
or 1-800-660-5853 and ask to speak
to a Registered Dietitian. Or
visit our website at
www.healthunit.org. |
