Eating a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may help you lose weight. Such diets primarily rely on eating animal protein, non-starchy vegetables and fats from animal and plant sources while eschewing sugar, starchy carbohydrates such as grains, potatoes, rice and corn. Before entering into any diet, it is important to talk with your doctor.
History
According to doctor Michael Eades, designer of the Protein Power diet, the history of low-carbohydrate, high fat diets extends back to pre-historic man. Early humans lived in hunter-gatherer societies, and the foods that they ate depended largely on what they could hunt or forage. This often included the remains of animals killed by large predators. Humans would stumble upon what was left of these animals and use them for food. This often included the organs and marrow of the animals, which were high in both fat and protein. Since prehistoric humans didn't cultivate grains, they ate fruits and vegetables to round out their diets.
Current Times
In modern times, low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets came back into vogue in the 1970s when Dr. Robert Atkins wrote the book, "Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution." The Atkins diet quickly became a success when dieters realized they could eat their favorite fatty foods such as bacon, butter, and cheese and still lose weight. In 1992, Dr. Atkins re-released the diet as "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution," and a new generation of dieters were introduced to high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets. Since 1992, many similar diet plans have been offered to the public, and low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets remain a popular choice for weight loss.
Evolutionary Theory
Two theories exist that explain why the diets may work. The first theory is based in human evolution. Radiologist Kurt G. Harris created the PaNu diet, and he suggests it works for evolutionary reasons. According to Dr. Harris, there has been little human evolution since prehistoric times, so the dietary needs of modern man remain largely the same today as they were in the past. Grain cultivation and food processing are both modern constructs, and human beings haven't evolved to eat processed foods, sugars and grains. Resultantly, the human body is unable to process these foods efficiently, and the result is obesity and diseases of modern civilization such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Dr. Harris recommends eating a "prehistoric diet," that consists of animal proteins and fats, fruits and vegetables in order to lose weight and return to health.
Biological and Chemical Theory
Gary Taubes, author of "Good Calories, Bad Calories" offers the chemical and biological theory, in which insulin plays a key role. When you eat carbohydrates and sugars, your blood glucose rises. In response, your pancreas releases insulin to return blood sugar levels to normal. Insulin is a hormone that is involved in the storage and utilization of fat. When insulin is present, your body stores food as fat. Further, your body can't use stored fat as fuel when insulin is present. By controlling your blood sugar through low carbohydrate intake, your body will be able to use stored fat as its primary source of fuel. Dr. Eades further suggests that protein can also lead to the release of insulin into the bloodstream, although to a lesser extent in carbohydrates. Because of this, he recommends eating adequate amounts of protein, low levels of carbohydrates and rounding out your caloric intake with fat, which has a negligible effect on blood glucose.
Criticism
MayoClinic.com cautions that high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets may contain high levels of saturated fats and cholesterol, which can lead to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure. They also suggest that, while weight loss may result, some of it is water weight resulting from the diuretic effects of the diet. Other risks may include increased risk of cancer, potential kidney disease and gastrointestinal problems arising from the diet's low fiber content.
References
- "Protein Power Lifeplan": Michael R. Eades, M.D. and Mary Dan Eades, M.D.; 2000
- PaNu -- Paleolithic Nutrition: Duplicating the Evolutionary Metabolic Milieu: Kurt G. Harris, M.D.
- "Good Calories, Bad Calories": Gary Taubes; 2007
- MayoClinic.com: Low-Carb Diet
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