Science

A review of LCHF, recently published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine. “Although LCHF diets may not be suitable for everyone, available evidence shows this eating plan to be a safe and efficacious dietary option to be considered. LCHF diets may also be particularly beneficial in patients with atherogenic dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance, and the frequently associated NAFLD.”

Steven Hamley is a PhD student at Deakin University in Melbourne. He recently published a paper in Nutrition Journal titled ‘The effect of replacing saturated fat with mostly n-6 polyunsaturated fat on coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials’. The results from his meta-analysis suggest that replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat is unlikely to increase or decrease the risk of coronary heart disease or all-cause mortality.

A new study looking at why decreased signalling through the insulin/IGF-1 receptor pathway increases life span and how similar changes can be brought about by the metabolism of ketone bodies. The metabolism of ketones is shown to lower both blood glucose and insulin providing the thermodynamic drive to destroy oxygen free radicals which are a major cause of the ageing process.

Whilst not that “novel’ to some, this new paper published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research shows the astounding success Virta Health has had in both treating and reversing Type-2 Diabetes. Offering a combination of LCHF and nutritional ketosis, their individualised program is supported remotely via the internet and the results repeatedly show improved glycemic control, weight loss and reduced need for diabetic medications.

Dr. Barbara Gower is a Professor of Nutrition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham who conducts research on diet composition and disease risk. Her research has led her to conclude that Type-2 Diabetes can both be prevented and reversed with a carbohydrate restricted diet. “I use the ‘cigarette’ analogy. We know it is bad to smoke, so we tell patents not to smoke. Why don’t we do the same thing with sugar and processed starches?”

This recently published paper, written by Dr. Jason Fung and Amy Berger, brilliantly outlines the true cost of the insulin resistance epidemic ravaging the world. It concludes with a call for modern medicine to cease the myopic and outdated search for a ‘silver bullet’ cure for many modern diseases and to instead embrace dietary and lifestyle interventions.

A new study released by the University of Michigan shows that three low-carb meals eaten within just 24 hours lowers post-meal insulin resistance by more than 30 percent. The same study looked at those consuming high-carb meals and found sustained insulin resistance even after two hours of moderate-intensity exercise, which is supposed to lower insulin resistance and blood sugar levels.

This study results found no association between CVDs and saturated fat. Instead, they agree with data accumulated from recent studies that link CVD risk with the high glycaemic index/load of carbohydrate-based diets.

An new analysis out of Mexico on how carbohydrate and fat intake affects blood lipid profiles in more than 100,000 individuals living in 19 low to high income countries suggests that the message to lower dietary saturated fats to lower cholesterol and thus decrease risk of cardiovascular disease may be misleading.