Still, significant studies say that such diets improve on cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Studies in 2002 and 2003 have indicated that the diet lowers blood glucose levels, which can be important in people who are diabetic. The diet also reduces triglycerides (unhealthy fat molecules) and increases HDL (so-called good cholesterol) levels. High triglyceride and low HDL levels are important risk factors for heart disease and common in people with type 2 diabetes. Studies are mixed on whether the diet reduces overall cholesterol or LDL (the bad) cholesterol.
Experts that promote the low carb approach argue that heart problems from obesity are due to insulin disturbances from sugar imbalances. Therefore, they believe that restricting carbohydrates is the best approach for obesity--and especially for overweight people with diabetes. More research is needed, however, to determine the long-term impact on health.
High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets include Atkins, Protein Power, Sugar Busters, and Dr. Stillman. The Atkins diet is one of the most popular and has a four-phase program:
- Induction. For the first 2 weeks, individuals consume no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates a day. The diet consists of pure protein and fats. There is no fruit, bread, grains, starchy vegetables, or dairy products other than cheese, cream, or butter. This phase is not suitable for children, pregnant women, or anyone with kidney disease.
- On-going Weight Loss. After the first phase, individuals continue to lose weight while they increase carbohydrate levels by five grams each week.
- Premaintenance. When individuals get close to their weight goal, they add another 10 grams of carbohydrates per week as long as they do not begin to gain weight. Weight loss is very slow at this time, but the individual is now getting used to maintenance.
- Maintenance. Lifetime maintenance is usually between 40 and 100 grams of carbohydrates a week, depending on steady weight level.
Anyone who chooses this diet should prefer fish or soy products to meat as protein sources. Fish may reduce leptin, a hormone associated with fat storage and heart diseases, and would be the best protein source. People on this diet should also choose monounsaturated fats (as in olive oil) over saturated fats or trans-fatty acids fat. Patients often need supplements, at least a multivitamin and possibly calcium, chromium, omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oil), and other supplements.
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