It is the simple carbohydrates (sugar, refined flour foods) that promote the over-secretion of insulin that offsets rising blood sugar levels and can ultimately cause individuals to become insulin resistant and possibly develop diabetes.
Effective diets for insulin resistant persons eliminate the use of sugar and simple carbohydrates, call for a reduction in saturated fats and reduce the inclusion of processed food into our meal plan. Instead they substitute whole grains, vegetables, some fruit and fish. Insulin regulators (appetite suppressants) include the following: chromium (a mineral that stabilizes blood sugar and increases metabolic rate); gymnema sylvestre (an herb that reduces the sweet flavor of food reducing desirability); magnesium (a mineral that assists in maintaining blood sugar levels and combats fatigue); and fenugreek (an herb that supports healthy glucose metabolism.)
People whose diets have consisted of primarily refined carbohydrates not only leave themselves open for diabetes, but also can set themselves up for hypertension (high blood pressure) and high cholesterol. All of these conditions can occur as a result of a refined carbohydrate diet and insulin resistance. Together they are known as Syndrome X, and they increase the individual’s risk of heart disease. Chronically high levels of insulin increase the craving for carbohydrates, so, if you can’t stay away from hot-fudge sundaes, you may want to have a check-up by your doctor.
Dr. Rachael Heller in the Carbohydrate Addict’s Lifespan Program tells us “the enjoyment of carbohydrate rich food and the body’s tendency to store food energy in the form of fat, causes carbohydrate addicts to struggle to control their eating without realizing that their bodies are fighting them by giving overwhelming desires to eat, store food as fat, and to set their bodies up for progressive health problems.” If you crave pasta, bread and sweets, you may be a carbohydrate addict and in a risk category for illness including high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. It is also likely that carbohydrate addicts may develop high blood pressure and because they cannot lose weight their hypertension gets worse. According to Dr. Frederic Vagnini, M.D., Dr. Vagnini's Healthy Heart Plan “If we check the carbohydrate addict’s total cholesterol level, it may not be elevated. But a closer look will reveal a dangerous lipid pattern. The triglyceride level will be high and the HDL (or beneficial cholesterol) will be low. In addition, many of these patients are suffering from diabetes, often undiagnosed by their family doctors.”
In her book, Low Carb and Beyond, author Nina Anderson explains that all of these conditions—carbohydrate addiction, central abdominal obesity, hypertension, high triglycerides, low HDL, diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition—are a package deal. If a person has one, he or she is at risk for acquiring the others. Together they are known as Syndrome X, and they put an individual at high risk for developing atherosclerosis and heart disease. The underlying condition that experts believe contributes to all of these disorders is the inability of the body to process insulin properly, called insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia. Chronically high levels of insulin increase the craving for carbohydrates.
Dr. Vagnini says, “For carbohydrate addicts, losing weight is not the only problem. They must be alert to all the accompanying medical disorders that go with their carbohydrate addiction. Chances are good that carbohydrate addicts will have to deal with some or all of these conditions at some point in their lives. Getting on an insulin-regulating diet is the first step the carbohydrate addict must take. It will not only promote weight loss, but will improve the accompanying disorders. In addition, a vitamin program is necessary to get insulin under control. And don’t forget about exercise; it’s important in regulating insulin. Resistance-type exercises, such as those involving weights, are particularly good at combating visceral obesity.”
If you are a carbohydrate addict you must consider the long-term effects that result from your dietary habits. Not everyone is suited to a low-carb diet, especially if you become a protein junkie in the process and do not restrict your fat intake. Even though these diets bring weight loss, they also may contribute to heart disease. Some low-carb diets restrict the intake of fruit and certain vegetables that are high in carbohydrates, but may be necessary for general health. Although the low-carb frenzy is beneficial in creating an awareness of how unhealthy fat producing junk foods can be, it also can prevent people from looking at the whole body and its dietary needs.
Thanks for the info, Nina
Yet... I often think that our instinct must be right. My cat never ate anything that made it sick, the same can be said of animals I have had the opportunity of observing.
I have the impression that the more we think about what we eat, the less natural it becomes. And once we forget about our instincts, we don't feel what is good for us anymore and need to look for it in books.
Of course, this is only my personal opinion. But this attitude has kept me healthy, with a stable weight and, most important of all, serene. I run away from people who discuss calories and exercise until they look ugly. One day I looked at the hands and feet of women who spent their time at the gym... nothing feminine, only tension, strange-looking muscles and veins.
I just wanted to share some of my thoughts with you. I hope you don't mind.
Best regards,
Axilea