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Thursday, December 05, 2002
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By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (December 5, 2002)—The safety of consuming low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets to lose weight is under scrutiny following the death of a 16-year-old girl who died from a sudden heart attack while following a diet program she saw advertised on television, according to a case report in the Southern Medical Journal (2002;95:1047–9). While this report does not prove the diet caused the girl's death, it does raise the question of whether this type of diet is appropriate for people trying to lose weight.
A recent report showed that more than 50% of all Americans are overweight, with childhood and adolescent obesity rising at an alarming rate. The social pressures to look thin may lead some people to resort to desperate measures to drop their weight quickly. While low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets have been around since the 1960s, these diets have regained popularity in recent years. Diets such as the Atkins diet, the Zone diet and the Carbohydrate Addict’s diet are attractive to people since they only change the type of food one eats, but do not restrict the amount of food consumed. However, several case reports have been published over the years suggesting that consuming these diets may lead to a heart attack in some individuals without any warning signs.
In this case, a 16-year-old obese girl had started following a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet (consisting of meat, cheese, and salads), based on information from a series of video tapes she saw advertised on television. Her mother had also been following the same diet. Two weeks after starting the diet, the girl collapsed while at school; her heart stopped beating and she also stopped breathing. Resuscitation measures were not effective and the girl subsequently died. When she arrived at the hospital, her blood level of potassium was found to be extremely low, which likely had induced her heart attack.
Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets are known to suppress the appetite and to curb feelings of hunger, which is why many people lose weight on these types of diets. However, consuming these diets can result in the depletion of minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which are needed to maintain a normal heart rhythm. This mineral-losing effect may be compounded when the daily calorie intake is restricted.
Obesity is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes and has become a serious problem in the United States. Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets may help some people successfully lose weight. Indeed, many individuals credit such a diet with turning their lives around in a positive way. Moreover, while scientists have been concerned about potential long-term risks (such as osteoporosis and cancer) from consuming such diets, there are few reports of severe adverse effects. Nevertheless, the present case report suggests that this type of diet is not without risk. Individuals wishing to consume such a diet should, therefore, be closely supervised by a doctor.
Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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4:41:46 PM 
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By Alan R. Gaby, MD
Healthnotes Newswire (December 5, 2002)—Adherence to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), produces only a small reduction in the risk of suffering major chronic diseases. However, following a modified version of the USDA diet, one that incorporates findings from newer research, can reduce disease risk to a greater extent, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition(2002;76:1261–71).
The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans include the following recommendations: (1) eat a variety of foods; (2) balance food intake with physical activity, in order to maintain an appropriate body weight; (3) consume plenty of grains (especially whole grains), vegetables, and fruits; (4) choose a diet low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol; (5) consume sugars in moderation; (6) use salt in moderation; and (7) limit alcohol intake to moderate amounts. Although the development of these guidelines was based on a great deal of research, the amount of benefit one can obtain from following them has been found to be surprisingly small: only an 11% reduction in chronic-disease risk for men and a 3% reduction for women.
A growing body of research indicates that certain dietary factors not addressed in the USDA guidelines may be important for disease prevention. Specifically, there is evidence that heart disease risk can be reduced by consuming nuts and soy protein and by replacing red meat with poultry and fish. Avoiding trans fatty acids (found in margarine and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils) may also help prevent heart disease. In addition, research suggests that taking a multivitamin can reduce the risk of heart disease (presumably by lowering homocysteine levels) and possibly cancer.
Researchers developed a new index of diet quality, the Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), which included not only the USDA recommendations, but the additional factors not considered in the USDA guidelines as well. The dietary habits of 38,615 men and 67,271 women were evaluated, and each person's diet was given an AHEI index score. During a follow-up period of 8 to 12 years, participants with high AHEI scores (indicating close adherence to the recommendations) had a lower incidence of major chronic disease (heart disease, cancer, or death not due to trauma) than did people with low scores. Men with the highest scores had a 20% lower risk of chronic disease than did men with the lowest scores. For women, the corresponding risk reduction was 11%. The improved outcome in both men and women was due mainly to a reduction in the risk of heart disease.
The results of this study suggest that the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans could be improved upon by adding some new recommendations: consume nuts and soy protein, emphasize poultry and fish over red meat, avoid foods that contain trans fatty acids, and take a multivitamin.
Alan R. Gaby, MD, an expert in nutritional therapies, testified to the White House Commission on CAM upon request in December 2001. Dr. Gaby served as a member of the Ad-Hoc Advisory Panel of the National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine. He is the author of Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis (Prima, 1994), and co-author of The Natural Pharmacy, 2nd Edition (Healthnotes, Prima, 1999), the A–Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions (Healthnotes, Prima, 1999), Clinical Essentials Volume 1 and 2 (Healthnotes, 2000), and The Patient’s Book of Natural Healing (Prima, 1999). A former professor at Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences, in Kenmore, WA, where he served as the Endowed Professor of Nutrition, Dr. Gaby is the Chief Medical Editor for Healthnotes, Inc.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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4:39:41 PM
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By Matt Brignall, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (December 5, 2002)—Women who eat yogurt every day may experience an increase in the level of “good” cholesterol, according to a clinical trial published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2002;56:843–9). This beneficial effect can be magnified by supplementing the yogurt with probiotics and a prebiotic compound called oligofructose.
In this study, 29 women ate 300 grams (about 10.6 ounces) of a full-fat (3.5% fat by weight) yogurt product daily for 21 weeks. Blood cholesterol measurements were repeated every seven weeks during the study.
Over the 21-week trial, a small increase in the total cholesterol level was observed that was not statistically significant. A larger, and statistically significant, 38% increase was observed in HDL, or “good” cholesterol levels after eating the yogurt. No change was observed in LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol levels. Despite the small increase in total cholesterol levels, the increase in HDL cholesterol would presumably decrease the risk of developing heart disease, as past research has shown this type of cholesterol to be protective.
Can Probiotic and Prebiotic Agents Influence Cholesterol Levels?
These findings were surprising in light of the fact that this trial was designed to see if yogurt ingestion could decrease total cholesterol levels. In particular, the researchers had theorized that a yogurt product with added probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum) and a prebiotic agent (oligofructose) could reduce cholesterol levels as observed in earlier research studies.
To observe the effect of the enriched yogurt, each woman also ate the probiotic- and prebiotic-containing product for a 7-week stretch during the 21-week trial. During the period when the women consumed the supplemented yogurt, there was a further increase in HDL cholesterol beyond that seen from simply eating plain yogurt. Probiotic agents are live bacteria that have the ability to influence the concentration of different bacterial species in the intestines. Prebiotic agents also influence the concentrations of bacteria in the gut by acting as a food source for beneficial organisms. Although the bacteria in our intestines are necessary for normal digestion, it is not clear how influencing the concentrations of these organisms affects cholesterol levels.
Animal and human studies have found many other benefits from yogurt ingestion, including prevention of diarrhea, stimulation of the immune system, and prevention of vaginal yeast infections. It is not known whether supplementing yogurt with probiotics and prebiotics, as the researchers did here, would enhance these other health benefits of yogurt.
“Good” and “Bad” Cholesterol
All cholesterol is not created equal. Increased levels of LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, are directly linked to increased risk of heart disease. HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, is considered protective against heart disease. Some research indicates that the ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol is more important than the total cholesterol level for the prediction of heart disease risk.
There are several ways that HDL cholesterol levels can be increased. Exercise, weight loss, and moderate drinking (one or two drinks per day, for example), and supplementing with magnesium, vitamin C, or lecithin, may all increase HDL levels. The most common class of medications (statin drugs) used to lower total cholesterol, on the other hand, does not increase HDL cholesterol levels.
Based on the results of this new study, women with low concentrations of HDL cholesterol should consider adding yogurt to their diet on a regular basis. If available, yogurt supplemented with probiotic and prebiotic constituents may provide further benefit. More research is needed to determine whether the same effects could be expected in men.
Matt Brignall, ND is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Bastyr University. He works at the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, where he specializes in complementary medicine approaches to cancer. He has been published in several journals, including Alternative Medicine Review, Coping With Cancer, and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Brignall also teaches clinical nutrition at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. He is a regular contributor to Healthnotes, Healthnotes Newswire, and the Healthnotes Quick!Reference series.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of the Healthnotes® content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Healthnotes, Inc. Healthnotes Newswire is for educational or informational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or provide treatment for any condition. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional. Healthnotes, Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Healthnotes and the Healthnotes logo are registered trademarks of Healthnotes, Inc.
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4:38:02 PM
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Two strangers are sitting in adjacent seats in an airplane. One guy says to the other, "Let's talk. I hear that the flight will go faster if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger."
The other guy, who had just opened a good book, closes it slowly, takes off his glasses and asks, "What would you like to discuss?"
The first guy says, "Oh, I don't know; how about Nuclear Power?"
The other guy says, "OK, that could make for some pretty interesting conversation. But let me ask you a question first: A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff, but the deer excretes pellets;the cow, big patties; and the horse, clumps of dried grass. Why is that?"
The first guy says, "I don't know."
The other guy says, "Oh? Well then, do you really think you're qualified to discuss Nuclear Power when you don't know shit?
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10:41:38 AM
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Ruskin Bond: I savor glimmers of transcendence. Ruskin Bond writes about those peak experiences we'd all like to have many more of!
Such moments come to most of us - moments when we feel deeply moved or inspired, and when time seems to stand still so that we may savor and preserve in our minds a glimpse of eternity. They come but rarely, these glimmers - raindrops on a sunflower, or the fragrance of the first summer rain on parched earth, the song of the whistling thrush emerging like a sweet secret from a dark forest. Or the joy after hearing a child's laughter: moments when heaven is here, compensating for the irritations and petty disasters humans create around themselves. When all the wars are done, a butterfly will still be beautiful. [via Scott Loftesness]
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10:00:55 AM
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Dr. David M. Burns. "Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life."
Boy does this one speak an important lesson for me!
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9:49:11 AM
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Philip Adams. "It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don't. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever."
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9:48:29 AM
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As many of you know, I always urge physicians to spend as much time as they can with their patients. It’s hard – especially with managed care counting the minutes and the pennies. But for a physician, listening is often priceless. Before I wrote "Spontaneous Healing," I interviewed many people for their personal accounts of healing. This also taught me more about listening. Alan Kapuler has stood out in my mind for more than a decade. In 1989, he was diagnosed with cancer of the lymphatic system. I learned so much from Alan and many of my other patients. In particular, I recall his wisdom about how the body heals. He told me, "Most of all, I’ve learned that you are your own physician and have to heal yourself. The trick is to get your ego out of the way, get your concepts out of the way, and just let the body heal itself. It knows how to do it." My advice to physicians: Listen to your patients. And to you: Listen to your bodies. [Dr. Weil]
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9:41:08 AM
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© Copyright
2003
Rick@Leaders.net.
Last update:
1/2/2003; 11:40:29 AM.
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