Who do You Trust About Diet?

Was: Canned mackeral or sardines - breathalyzer

On 18 Apr 2006 06:58:31 -0700, "JJ Jones"
<jamesjonathanjones@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

:: Doing a survey of a number of sites by respected institutions, nobody
:: puts the entire blame entirely on excess carbs. A few recommend that
:: "less than 60% of your total calories" should come from carbs.

Roger replied:
Respected by whom? You?

Partly. And also respected by most of the medical and scientific
community. Places like Johns Hopkins, or Harvard Medical School, or
the American Medical Assn or the American Diabetes Assn, or even most
major state universities.

Are there any institutions that YOU respect?

Hi JJ, and lurkers.

I changed the title; I think we've strayed a little far from
Mackerel breath.

I'm glad you mentioned Harvard and the AMA in your list. You
may find this interesting:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramids.html

Bear in mind that all these "Pyramids" are intended for
normal, non-diabetic people. Thus, I am not in complete
agreement with their guidelines when it comes to type 2
dietary control. However, Harvard disagrees quite markedly
with the USDA Pyramid supported by the ADA if you read the
details.

For example, while they agree with inclusion of whole
grains, they have this to say about the other starches:

"White Rice, White Bread, Potatoes, White Pasta, Soda, and
Sweets (Use Sparingly): Why are these all-American staples
at the top, rather than the bottom, of the Healthy Eating
Pyramid? They can cause fast and furious increases in blood
sugar that can lead to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease,
and other chronic disorders. Whole-grain carbohydrates cause
slower, steadier increases in blood sugar that don't
overwhelm the body's ability to handle this much needed but
potentially dangerous nutrient."

Now, if they can lead to "fast and furious increases in
blood sugar" in non-diabetics, what do you think they may do
to us with our flawed insulin/glucose systems?

How about Medscape? If you haven't heard of it, it is a
web-site providing, among other things, continuing education
for practising physicians.

Like this:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/516977
(Not too long - worth reading in full)

Medscape Medical News
Reduced Carbohydrate Intake May Lower Cardiovascular Risk
CME
News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD
CME Author: Charles Vega, MD, FAAFP

Nov. 15, 2005 — A diet in which carbohydrates are partially
substituted with protein and monounsaturated fats can
improve blood pressure, lipid levels, and estimated cardiac
risk, according to the results of a study reported in the
Nov. 16 issue of JAMA.

Of course, if you're not sure about Medscape, you could go
to the original article in the Journal of the American
Medical Association. You did agree that the AMA is a
respected source?

Vol. 294 No. 19, November 16, 2005
http://tinyurl.com/rlcmg or
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/294/19/2455?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=1&author1=appel&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&fdate=10/1/2005&tdate=12/31/2005&resourcetype=HWCIT

Design, Setting, and Participants
Randomized, 3-period, crossover feeding study (April 2003
to June 2005) conducted in Baltimore, Md, and Boston, Mass.
Participants were 164 adults with prehypertension or stage 1
hypertension. Each feeding period lasted 6 weeks and body
weight was kept constant.
<snip>
(Note: All participants improved, because all of the diets
were better than their previous diet, however their
conclusions were:)

Conclusion
In the setting of a healthful diet, partial substitution
of carbohydrate with either protein or monounsaturated fat
can further lower blood pressure, improve lipid levels, and
reduce estimated cardiovascular risk."

As some seem to discard all studies because "for every study
you can find another refuting it" - feel free to provide
modern cites of equal authority directly comparing low-fat,
high-carb (for diabetics aka as the "Exchange Diet") with
other forms of dietary improvement, not just low-carb or
high-protein, but any other recognised dietary type. There
are DASH (mentioned in the above study), Portfolio, and many
others - Quentin could tell you, I forget all the names.

If you care to do some searching on Medscape, Google Scholar
or Highwire you will realise that the overwhelming evidence
from studies published this century is in favour of reducing
carbs (in moderation), increasing protein (if you don't have
kidney disease), increasing the "good" oils and minimising
the "bad" oils. In twenty years nutritionists will look back
on the extreme low-fat mantra of the twentieth century with
the same astonished wonder that modern micro-surgeons would
have looking back on the whisky anaesthetics and hacksaws of
the Civil War.

There is also the low-spike diet for type 2 diabetics, but
the only place you will find the basic start for that one is
here:
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm

PS. I hadn't thought of Johns Hopkins. I'll do a little
searching:-)

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 2x500mg
--
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
.

Relevant Pages

  • What if Its All Been a Big Fat Lie?
    ... Now I am wondering what is healthier, a low fat carb diet or a high ... the carbohydrates, the pasta, rice, bagels and sugar, that caused ... obesity and even heart disease. ...
    (sci.med.nutrition)
  • My Story
    ... "better" low fat diet. ... I've been progressively following the advice, battling worsening blood ... diagnosed with a fatty liver and pancreas. ... I eat a very satisfying diet. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • Re: My Story
    ... and eat a "better" low fat diet. ... I've been progressively following the advice, battling worsening blood ... I was diagnosed with a fatty liver and pancreas. ... diet has helped me lose weight, keep it off, and to build muscle. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • Re: Quarterly report card
    ... Tomorrow I'm having my first follow-up blood work since being diagnosed 3 ... I've worked hard (diet and exercise) and hope I do as well. ... My quarterly blood test results are just in. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)
  • ABC News Nightline: Carbohydrates Make You Fat, and Perhaps Sick
    ... Carbohydrates Make You Fat, and Perhaps Sick ... Journalist Takes on the Conventional Wisdom About Diet and Disease ... Gary Taubes is not just another diet guru but a journalist who has ... but the whole family of complex carbohydrates. ...
    (alt.support.diabetes)