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A Total Health Communications story entitled "How to Make Sense of the Low Carb Diet Craze" written by the author of this book named Dr. Steven Rosenblatt takes a closer look at livin' la vida low-carb and why so many people are flocking to it to satisfy their weight loss and health needs.
Before I get into the article itself, though, let me ask a quick question. What doesn't make sense about doing low-carb? You do it, it works, you lose weight, you look and feel fantastic and the foods you eat are incredibly delicious. Nuff said, right?! Well, the good doctor in this story wants to go even deeper into the reasons why people are so obese in this country and why they shouldn't turn to the low-carb lifestyle to deal with it.
Over half of the population has purportedly been on some kind of low-carb diet at least once in their life and many have lost weight. But Dr. Rosenblatt says: "Unfortunately, for many of these people, the weight loss is temporary."
This is the biggest excuse I always hear so-called experts in the medical profession bring out when talking about the low-carb lifestyle. You can't keep the weight off when you do it. It must not work because everybody gains back the weight. It's so unhealthy for you anyways, so why don't you just start eating a more "balanced" low-fat diet instead?
UGH! Sound familiar? That's what we've been fed time after time in the media about low-carb. Don't blame the method of losing weight and getting healthy on the failure of individuals to stick with it! The way of eating itself is not only effective, but permanent if it is strictly adhered to. My 180-pound weight loss is staying off for good because I continue to eat low-carb although my "diet" is over.
Does this mean you can never splurge on a carb-loaded meal ever again? Of course not. But you now know you cannot eat that way all the time. It's the same concept with low-fat and low-calorie diets, too, but with low-carb you can actually eat foods that you want and like!
Dr. Rosenblatt said Americans are more aware of the "problems related to low carb diets than they were about the hazards of the low fat diet."
What problems with low-carb? I haven't had any in my experience. It's interesting that he also keenly points out there are also "hazards" associated with doing a low-fat diet. I wish Dr. Rosenblatt would have expanded upon those comments a little more to reveal what problems exist when doing a low-fat diet. This is something you have never seen in media accounts about low-fat weight loss recommendations. It's yet another example of how medical experts and the media are depriving people of the information they need to make good decisions about their health.
He goes on to say that while low-carb will help you lose weight quickly, you can't keep it off and it will cause long-term damage to your health.
If you haven't heard this from your friends and family yet, brace yourself for it because it's coming. Oh, that diet is so dangerous, you better be careful. Didn't you know Atkins is a one-way ticket to a grave? Your health will go down the tubes so quickly doing that diet.
Again, I must say, UGH! How can so many people be as uneducated about the low-carb lifestyle that they are willing to buy into the propaganda promoted in the media? It only takes a little bit of learning about low-carb and why it works to be convinced of its tremendous health benefits and long-lasting effectiveness.
This statement by Dr. Rosenblatt shows just how incredibly ignorant he is about what doing low-carb is in the real world: "The simplest reason why low carb diets don't work in the long run is that they're like every other diet: They're boring. After a while, people get tired of them and quit the diet. Unfortunately, after they fall off the diet, former Atkins followers are likely to start eating lots of carbs, yet they keep eating the high levels of protein they've become accustomed to. When they add the buns and fries to those bacon double cheeseburgers, you know what happens: rapid regain of weight."
Okay, I'm breathing slowly to keep my blood from boiling. Three, two, one...okay, I'm better now. Let me clearly state that if Atkins ever becomes "boring," then you need to start getting a little more creative with the way you prepare the foods you eat. It is NOT boring when you put a little thought into what you can eat and spice it up. I provide several examples in my upcoming book of some quick and easy recipes that are sure to satisfy you completely while doing this eating plan. Let's not blame the diet for any disinterest by its participants.
But, while we're on the subject, I'll tell you what's really boring. Stuffing your face with rabbit food and restricting yourself to a certain number of calories or fat grams in a day. Besides being hungry all the time (I did this "diet" for myself back in 1999), you can't keep it up because the food choices are so mundane.
If people get off the Atkins plan, then of course they will gain back the weight. But you can't point the finger at low-carb. People need to be strong and learn to stick with something that's working for them over the long-term. I'm sure many of these people who go back to eating carbs have become so frightened by media accounts of the dangers of low-carb that they decided it wasn't worth it to them. Therefore, we could ostensibly blame so-called health experts and the media for perpetuating the obesity epidemic in the United States!
Another popular phrase used by Atkins opponents that Dr. Rosenblatt so graciously repeats here is that doing low-carb "causes loss of muscle mass."
While I by no means have a bodybuilder figure (yet!), I can say with all integrity that I have never been as strong as I am today. I workout every day and lift weight several times a week as part of livin' la vida low-carb. It is just plain junk science to claim any dangers with exercising and strength training while doing low-carb. I am living proof that this is a big fat lie and is yet another endeavor to discourage people from doing the low-carb lifestyle.
Addressing the key element of low-carb, Dr. Rosenblatt said ketosis, or the fat burning mode during low-carb, is harmful in various ways:
- Insufficient glucose to fuel the brain
My brain and other parts of my body are doing fine without sugar, thank you.
- Your body's attempts to eliminate ketones (by-products of ketosis) puts a strain on the kidneys.
My kidneys have actually improved since being on low-carb because I'm getting better urination flow (TMI!) from the additional water I am drinking.
- Diets high in protein can increase calcium loss from the body, increasing the risk of osteoporosis.
Take a pill! You can get all the calcium you need in a supplement.
- Diets high in animal protein are usually high in saturated fats, which increase the risk of heart diseases.
Who says you only eat animal fat and protein on low-carb?! Nuts are good sources of good fats and so are many other foods. Furthermore, your body needs fat to lose weight (gee, what a concept!) when you are doing a low-carb plan.
- Diets low in carbohydrates are usually extremely low in fiber, since carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables and grains provide most of the fiber in our diets. Low fiber diets have been associated with increased risk of type II diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer.
What evidence is there that eating a low-carb lifestyle has very little fiber. In fact, I'm eating more fiber now than I've ever eaten before. It is a key element to being successful on Atkins. Furthermore, it will help keep you regular and you don't have to count dietary fiber carbohydrates in your total carb intake. In addition, I supplement my eating plan with two daily fiber pills to make sure I'm getting enough fiber on a daily basis. By the way, I don't have diabetes or cancer and actually have a better chance now of never having either of these conditions thanks to the healthy alternative low-carb has offered me.
The claim is made in the story that "all of us need and want carbs."
No, all of us don't want and need carbs, Dr. Rosenblatt. Only people who wish to remain fat and unhealthy want carbs. People who are livin' la vida low-carb have lots of energy and a positive outlook on life because we know we are doing something pro-active about our health without the dangers associated with overconsuming carbs. We are extremely satisfied with the foods we eat on low-carb.
At the end of his article, Dr. Rosenblatt peddles a so-called starch blocker supplement as part of his "Starch Blocker Diet" book. After trashing the low-carb approach for the entire story, it's not until the last few paragraphs that we finally see his true motivation for attempting to discredit the Atkins lifestyle. He's trying to sell his weight loss product and books.
I think it is highly unethical for a medical professional to write an article like this one allegedly as a public service to educate the masses about health issues when all he is trying to do is get them to make him money.
Shame on you, Dr. Rosenblatt!
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I finished reading The Starch Blocker Diet a few days ago and went to CVS pharmacy to get the recommended supplement. After almost a week of taking two pills prior to meals I have lost three pounds and my hypoglyecemia is getting under control. I was skeptical before reading this book but there actually has been some groundbreaking research done on the new generation of Starch Blockers called "Phase 2". This book is easy to read and follow and includes specialized food lists and recipes. I recommend this book highly for anyone addicted to carbs like I am.
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Frankly I was not convinced that starch blockers work but after reading Dr. Rosenblatt's book, The Starch Blocker Diet, I am convinced this is a very plausible solution to elimination the majority of starch calories from any diet plan and thus lose weight gradually. The science and research over the past thirty years is impressive and logical. Even low carb dieters can benefit from including starch blockers in their diet. Enhances any diet plan in my opinion. Highly recommended for anyone looking to lose weight simply, safely, and sensibly. I bought my copy through the used book vendor on Amazon and frankly got a brand new book for less than $10!
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This is not just another Weight Loss book! It is a guide to healthy eating and living!
It is an instruction manual for the body and how different foods affect your energy, mood, alertness and general health. When reading the book I was reminded of the phrase, "You Are What You Eat". When I very first opened the book, I was initially disappointed with what I thought was "fluff". I thought I was buying a book that would tell me straight out, "Eat this or eat that". However, after reading the very first couple of pages in the introduction, I was glad I didn't get the type of book I had expected-I just could not put it down. The Authors mix health education with mystery and history to make this book a wonderful read. Several times while I was reading, my jaw dropped over some of the information.
I had tried Starch Blockers in the 1980's just before the FDA pulled them but I did not know their history (The Howard Hughes and Dead Rats connection). I thought that Starch Blockers were just another gimmick of the "Health food" industry for a quick fix to overeating. Starch Blockers got a bad (but deserved) rap in the 80's because a few "Quick Buck" artist produced an inferior product based on solid a research into controlling Blood Sugar Levels (Not Weight Loss) . I found in reading that our blood sugar levels control our moods, energy, alertness and the ability to gain or lose weight. Among other things, I have learned about food allergies and food reactions from this wonderful text.
More importantly, I have learned that Starch Blockers by themselves are not a "Magic Weight Loss Bullet". This book details how (and why) to use Phase 2 in conjunction with proper food selection and exercise to create a non-self defeating weight loss (Not Diet) and wellness program. Reading this book and following its advice will make a program using the Phase 2 Starch Blockers more effective.
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I bought the product and read the book. This book is very motivating and exciting, I enjoyed reading it and learned new ideas about eating differently. I have to admit that the book did confuse me at times. One minute the author is saying....you could lose weight and inches even if you aren't that active, then another section is saying....work out for an hour every day if you can. That is just one example. Anyway, by taking this product I've experienced no weight gain but maintenance for a month. I didn't lose any pounds, so that was disappointing. I felt great after eating starchy meals. I noticed that my moods were stable, I felt less guilty, and I was better able to concentrate on what my body was telling me. Getting a little gassy and bloaty was no big deal either. One downfall to me was that I felt "out of it" at times...maybe because I was taking two at every meal and working out or working all day, so all together it took it's toll on me, I thought it was the starch blockers, "no brain power." So I suggest to not overdo the blockers. I liked the book, but I really don't know how well these blockers will help you lose the weight you want. I now only take it with my dinner or whenever I have to go out to a restaurant. Looking back, I was probably better off without them...only because at times I felt as if I was thinner before I started even taking Phase 2. If it works for you, that's great, but it is a "money blower" if you ask me, but they do have it's benefits. I'll still purchase them because they are not harmful and to make it worthwile, I'll only take it when I feel a need to, therefore, I won't blow my money on them all the time.