Do Low Carb Diets Work for Anyone? by Scott Meyers
If every person had the exact same body type and exact same body chemistry, then it would be very easy to have one diet plan that would fit all people. Indeed, it would seem no diets would be needed at all. Because each person is different, not every diet is beneficial to every person. Food allergies, existing health problems, and other conditions all help predetermine what diets will work and what diets should be avoided. This also applies to low carb diets. There are many variations of low carb diets available, but they all have the same target of reducing carbohydrate intake.
In order to determine if the low carb approach is safe for you, it is best to see your doctor. If the doctor you see does not have your family health history and yours, then you will need to collect as much information as possible before going to your visit. Your doctor will make his/her assessment based on your past health condition, and also the conditions that your family is predisposed to having.
Surprisingly enough, you inherit some of your carbohydrate utilization and storage tendencies, along with many other health traits. When you are collecting family history, you will want to start with your immediate family. Every disease and surgery should be recorded, as well as any chronic diseases. If there is a personal or family history of diabetes, this should be very carefully noted. Diabetes affects more than 15 million Americans and can be very dangerous in combination with a low carb diet.
Once you have collected health history information about your immediate family, then move on to extended family, like aunts, uncles, and grandparents. The more information that you provide to your family doctor the better he or she will be able to determine if a low carb diet is safe for you.
In order to further determine the safety of a low carb diet for you, your doctor will want to run some basic tests. These include checking your blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels (both HDL and LDL). Since different people metabolize carbohydrates in different ways, what may be a safe level for you (and therefore not need changing at all), may need curbing in someone else.
As effective a tool as low carb diets are in the weight loss arsenal, they are not suited for every person. Certain people have personal or genetic health factors that would make trying low carb diets dangerous. Therefore, you will need to see your doctor before starting this type of diet. You will also need to learn as much as you can about your family health history, and assemble a profile of your past and current health conditions.
Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Nutrition and Health.
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