Low Carb Diets Looking Better All the Time
If anyone needs yet another reason to change from a diet high in refined carbohydrates, they just got it. A study reported this July in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a diet higher in refined carbohydrates (high glycemic index foods) significantly increased the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration is the number one cause of blindness in this country in people age 60 and up, a statistic of particular importance to baby boomers. Estimates from this study were that 100,000 cases of blindness from AMD could be avoided if people would make this one easy change — stop eating refined sugar and flour and the foods and drinks made with them.
Several studies conducted over the last two years are showing a number of benefits of lower carbohydrate diets. These lower carb diets replace sugary foods and refined flours with plenty of vegetables (like broccoli and leafy greens) and some beans and legumes, but are moderate to low in fruit and whole grains. Over the years I have personally witnessed the benefits of this type of diet in my patients literally thousands of times. It is very rewarding to see the studies finally confirming anecdotal evidence.
[Ed. Note: Jim LaValle is an educator, clinician and industry consultant in the field of integrative healthcare. He is a licensed pharmacist, board certified clinical nutritionist and doctor of naturopathic medicine with more than 20 years clinical practice experience in the field of natural therapeutics and functional medicine. Named one of the "50 Most Influential Druggists" by American Druggist for his work in natural medicine, LaValle has authored 13 books, including his latest, Cracking the Metabolic Code. For more information, click here.]
