Low Carbohydrate High Fat Diet
In the quest to combat pre-diabetes, a lifestyle disease that he was diagnosed with, Professor Tim Noakes embarked on and advocated for a Low Carbohydrate High Fat diet. The aim of the LCHF diet is to achieve a nutritional balance of 5% carbohydrates, 60-70% fats and 20-30% protein, and claims to control insulin levels resulting in weight loss, body weight control and prevent insulin resistance. The control of insulin levels and the hindrance of insulin resistance are of great importance since if left unchecked they could progress in to Type 2 diabetes. This diet has been surrounded by a lot of controversy and arguments that are both for and against have been put forward. This essay will assess some of the claims made by the LCHF diet and point to some of the problems with these views.
Insulin resistance whilst not a disease is a condition in which a person's cells cannot effectively use insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas which assists in regulating the glucose levels in the body. This causes a buildup of glucose in the circulatory system resulting in a production of higher amounts of insulin to maintain standard levels of glucose. Insulin encourages the transfer of glucose into body tissues and dwindles …show more content…
The type of macro-nutrients one consumes and the portion in which they are consumed has no bearing on weight loss, if one is eating more one is burning, there will be little to no fat loss. Therefore there should be a realization that it is the consumption of carbohydrates alongside excess calories that causes weight gain and not the consumption of calories themselves. However, the consumption of carbohydrates does lead to increased insulin levels in the blood and poses a threat to those who are diabetic or pre-diabetic and gives a reason as to why some fats are an adequate or even superior energy source for the human
Insulin resistance whilst not a disease is a condition in which a person's cells cannot effectively use insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas which assists in regulating the glucose levels in the body. This causes a buildup of glucose in the circulatory system resulting in a production of higher amounts of insulin to maintain standard levels of glucose. Insulin encourages the transfer of glucose into body tissues and dwindles …show more content…
The type of macro-nutrients one consumes and the portion in which they are consumed has no bearing on weight loss, if one is eating more one is burning, there will be little to no fat loss. Therefore there should be a realization that it is the consumption of carbohydrates alongside excess calories that causes weight gain and not the consumption of calories themselves. However, the consumption of carbohydrates does lead to increased insulin levels in the blood and poses a threat to those who are diabetic or pre-diabetic and gives a reason as to why some fats are an adequate or even superior energy source for the human