Two Slices
For the past week I have cut out all pasta, rice, potatoes, corn, carrots and, hardest of all, bread. The reason for this drastic lifestyle change was not to lose weight nor to lower my blood sugar -- my doctors ordered me to take this step in order to lower my triglyceride levels which, while not at dangerous levels, were high. My cholesterol is under control. It was at 167 to 168 for years but has dropped to 150 while the triglycerides remained where they have been for decades.
Research has shown that stress is probably far more important than cholesterol or triglyceride levels, especially that internal stress associated with inflammation. However, I've been nagged at for decades now, every time I pick up my morning newspaper or turn on the television, about the risk of high cholesterol, so I did a bit of research on diet. The result surprised me.
The low fat, high carbohydrate diet recommended as being healthiest is the most probable cause of most of our modern health problems.
Where low fat intakes were recommended, it was not the result of research on low fat diets but on speculation that high levels of body fat were caused by excess consumption of fatty foods. Where actual research was done, the results were contrary to the preconceived notions previously expressed (and officially endorsed) by the medical profession. A similar but much more confusing situation existed concerning carbohydrates, foods that can range from simple (pure sugars) to complex (veggies).
We were told to eat pasta and to cut back on protein, avoiding animal fats like poison.
They lied to us!
I haven't had a chance to measure my triglycerides since cutting out the simple carbs. I have noticed a few things, though, in just a week. My blood sugar levels have dropped but I didn't have any low blood sugar problems and I never felt hungry unless I went over six hours without eating. I no longer had to get up during the night to use the bathroom. My mild flatulence disappeared completely. Mucus discharge at the corners of my eyes early in the morning vanished. There was one negative effect: on the second and third days my skin itched, especially on my shoulders and chest.
Yesterday Delia bought me some hot Spam, manufactured with Tabasco sauce in it. I made myself a sandwich. I had the first two slices of bread I had eaten in a week. All of my problems returned.
I like sandwiches, but I guess now they're a thing of the past. Just like apples and broccoli.
Comments (4)
They're always lying to us. The world isn't flat either.
A high carb, low fat diet is healthy. However, pasta is not recommended. No processed flour is recommended. The carbs should come from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Two things to note, though: This is the best diet for the active person because it is a great source of fuel and fiber for the body, but the key is that you have to be active. The second caveat is that not all diets work the same for all people. You have specific medical needs, so what works for many people won't work for you. What works best for the active person won't work best for the sedentary couch potato.
Do you know if all breads are troublesome? Do the darker, richer breads (rye, pumpernickel) also cause problems?
It seems to be all breads. The bread I used that caused me the problem was a heavy multi-grain bread. Today, after no bread yesterday, my blood sugar was below 100 again and the only problem I have at the moment is that the knee I banged up a few weeks ago is bothering me again.
If you get good results, you must be on the right track. Watch the skin itching though - excessive protein stresses the kidneys and with diabetes that is something you have to watch. Itching skin can be a symptom of trying to get rid of urea through the skin.
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