Since the publication of the low-carb weight-loss diet approach—whose perhaps most famous proponent became Dr. Robert Atkins—it has probably come as no surprise that the medical community has been unimpressed. It may be argued that many medical professionals, academics, and governmental bodies actively worked to have us dismiss this method of weight reduction. Evidence and support for their stance came from research after study. The media’s constant barrage of criticism turned it become an unpopular means of losing weight that participants were reluctant to admit to using. Simply said, nobody did that. Suppressing anything that challenges the current quo in this way seems to be standard practice.
But along the road, something started to shift. Advocates of low-carb diets did, in fact, experience significant weight reduction. They were able to maintain their weight loss and showed various health advantages, including decreased cholesterol, blood pressure, and Glycemic attacks. There was a significant increase in requests for further genuine research and pressure from the medical community. These pleas sparked a growing body of research suggesting the dietary strategy had some merit as a whole. At the very least, it marked the beginning.
The availability of safe, effective weight reduction solutions is crucial, since roughly 60% of Americans are overweight or obese, and a considerable percentage of us suffer from linked chronic illness, such as coronary artery disease and diabetes. Most diets seem to be unsuccessful. I believe that the lack of long-term success is due in large part to our incapacity to persist through the challenges that arise in both our private and professional lives. A lot of focus should be given to a method that doesn’t drastically limit food options, provides immediate weight loss success in exchange for some initial commitment to a plan for a handful of weeks, and accounts for, predicts, and helps to address plateaus.
Recent reports cite Gary Foster, president of Temple University’s Center for Obesity Study and Education: “We are well past the time when people would say that the Atkins program is bad for you.” That’s a tired argument. This is a practical option for slimming down.
It’s worth stressing that any method that helps you lose weight safely and has been approved by your doctor should be seriously considered. Some will be more suitable to the way you live than others. If so, do as they say.
You should expect and strive for long-term success, which means maintaining the weight you lose. Unless a preexisting medical condition had a role, we can all agree that our diet and way of life are to blame for the issue. In my experience, lasting weight reduction and keeping it off requires a shift in one’s way of life. The “weight management roller coaster” is here, and it’s been said that it’s not without its own health risks.
Some extremely intriguing findings emerged from a recent meta-analysis of 17 studies that tracked more than 1,100 overweight people using the minimal carb weight reduction strategy. In a period of 6-12 months, these dieters shed over 18 pounds on average. That works out to an annualized average of losing 1.5 pounds. Who wouldn’t want to commit to it right away?
Our dieters appear to have improved the way they look overall, not just the waist area. There were enhancements in a variety of other areas as well. In particular, the good cholesterol (HDL) had increased while the bad ldl (LDL) had remained stable. The overall health of our dieters was improving as measured by decreases in cardiovascular disease and various other risk factors. Isn’t that the whole point?
I have no doubt that the majority of doctors and nurses are very unselfish and committed to helping others. They are dedicated to safeguarding our greater good in between doing us no harm and fixing our problems. The low-carb weight reduction diet has been around for a while, but now research is starting to back it up. So in order for those of those who embrace this method might become more popular and spread the good news to more people, I hope that more doctors would reevaluate the study.