For the first time ever, you get to hear from my mother
What a treat I have to share with you today in Episode 99 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore." I recently had the opportunity to interview the woman who brought me into this world--my mom, Judiann Crumbley. She and my stepfather met us at the beautiful "Glimpse Of Heaven" cabin in the Smoky Mountains near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee last month and we had a very relaxing week together.
Mom sat down for a conversation with me about her gastric bypass surgery experience since she had the controversial procedure done in December 2003--just one month prior to me going on the Atkins diet. You'll notice my mother is very articulate and didn't mind sharing the good and the not-so-good about her weight loss journey over these past four years.
Click on the "LISTEN NOW" link below or download it to your iPod to hear today's podcast and hear the voice of Jimmy Moore's mom:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 99 [17:59m]: LISTEN NOW | Download
Although my mother lost 100 pounds in a little more than a year after having the gastric bypass surgery, everything wasn't a bed of roses for her. She wasn't ready for the transition back to real food and began experiencing some rather painful realities along the way. It's a word to the wise for anyone even thinking about going through this process.
One interesting aspect of the interview is how she said the way carbohydrates impacted her in various ways. She was super-sensitive to sugar and just felt better eating less carbs and more protein. But, as has happened to many weight loss surgery people who get away from the basic tenets of their new lifestyle, you can even gain weight and my mother is no exception. Hear her talk about it and what she KNOWS she needs to do to get back on track again to lose those 10-15 pounds she has put back on.
Catch the #1 low-carb podcast show on the Internet anytime by:
Have you considered having gastric bypass or LAP-BAND surgery to help you shed the pounds? Did hearing my mother's story of struggles cause you to take pause and reconsider livin' la vida low-carb? Or perhaps you have already had the surgery and it reminded you of your own negative experiences. Give us your comments and share from what has happened to YOU.
I'm so excited about this coming up Thursday's podcast show because it is a rather unique and monumental occasion in the history of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore"--the 100th episode!!! As I previously stated, not many podcast shows last long enough to reach that milestone, but here we are on the verge of hitting the triple digits in shows! WOW, I never would have thought it would last this long. It's a testimony to YOUR FAITHFULNESS and DEDICATION to my mission--educating, encouraging, and and inspiring others to lose weight and get healthy. THANK YOU for all the support you have given me.
To reward you for all that you do, I will have a boatload of some outstanding giveaways, including LOTS of autographed low-carb books from some of your favorite authors, some exciting prizes from a few of my sponsors, and even an exclusive opportunity for some people to be the first to try my new "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Bar" made with dark chocolate and real raspberry flavor (coming in December!). Tune in on Thursday for details about how YOU can win during my 100th podcast!!! :D
Kimkins cover girl: "I was wrong...Kimkins is not the way to lose weight"
It takes a very special person to publicly admit when they were wrong about something even after multiple warnings and concerns shared by those around them. And yet that is exactly what has happened this week when Kimkins Woman's World cover girl Christin delivered an impassioned video apology at her blog along with a detailed explanation of the health complications she and others have suffered since beginning the risky low-carb imposter diet scheme devised by a morbidly obese woman named Heidi Diaz.
I blogged about my concerns over the Kimkins fiasco that culminated earlier this week when this beautiful young woman had to be rushed to the emergency room because of some pain in her chest and heart complications. When you hear something like this happening that was brought on by such an extreme low-fat/low-calorie diet like Kimkins, it should make you angry. AND I AM ANGRY ABOUT IT!
To anyone who is still on the Kimkins diet, CHRISTIN has a message just for YOU:
Show your support for and encouragement to Christin by leaving a comment about this video at her "The Journey On" blog. What a brave woman she is and I am honored to know her as a friend. She has demonstrated nothing but grace, elegance, and dignity in the midst of what has become a complete and utter nightmare for so many of us in the low-carb community concerning this Kimkins debacle.
For the sake of those who cannot view the video, the following is a summary of the video, including direct quotes made by Christin regarding her experience following the Kimkins diet. Be prepared to be shocked and stunned as she shares quite openly about the negative impact this weight loss fraud has had and may continue to have on her health. Pray for her even now as she seeks to reverse the damage that has been done.
Christin before Kimkins when she weighed 250 pounds
Christin said she did this video so that others would "know exactly where I stand on this." She explained why most people choose to lose weight: to improve their health. Period! When you are 100+ pounds overweight, then you are not living healthy, she noted.
She chose the Kimkins program because she "wanted to lose weight quickly and I thought healthfully" because she "wanted more for my life." She wanted to "be there" for her family in the years to come. I think all of us who have ever gone on a weight loss plan can relate to that.
Christin today after losing 100 pounds
When she first began, the program was working great for her because "I was following the program exactly as written. I thought I was doing perfectly." But after losing 100 pounds in five months, Christin then conspicuously noticed there was not one single doctor who approved the Kimkins diet. That's when she started looking into who Heidi Diaz, aka Kimmer, really was and what she claimed to be.
Diaz had alleged in the marketing of Kimkins that she lost 198 pounds in 11 months on this Kimkins diet and was promoting it that way to anyone who would listen with supposed pictures to prove it. But it was this recent series of articles that included recent photographs of Diaz along with several other sites that made Christin become concerned and realize that those claims by Diaz were simply "not true."
"Heidi did not lose the weight, she did not follow this program that she claims is safe for anybody, even for diabetics," Christin said.
Then Christin turned in her video to the "risks" of being on the Kimkins diet that she discovered first-hand while following the program. She said she has real "concerns for everyone else that has attempted this program or will attempt this program."
That includes first and foremost hair loss. Christin admitted that her hair "started fall out in handfuls" and it "scared" her. She estimates she has lost as much as 60 percent of what used to be "thick, full hair" prior to her Kimkins experience.
"Now it's very thin," she exclaimed.
Another side effect was the loss of her menstrual cycle that she believes happened from "eating so few calories and my body was becoming malnourished." She said the hair loss and lack of periods are both tell-tale signs of anorexia, an eating disorder where victims literally starve themselves to be thin.
"I believe now the Kimkins diet program promotes a form of anorexia that I don't know if science has even attempted touch on this yet," Christin stated. "300 calories a day is not safe weight loss."
Any dietary change this drastic need to be closely monitored by a doctor just like those who undergo gastric bypass surgery do, she added.
When these symptoms began to show up, Christin went on the Kimkins forums to see if anyone else was losing their hair and female cycle like she was. "What's going on?" she pleaded to anyone who would listen to her concerns. And Christin said she "saw it come up multiple times" regarding these symptoms she was having in other people, too.
The excuse provided in response to this happening was that it was "perfectly normal and you're going through a shed. Your body is just losing estrogen." It was just too coincidental that "almost every other person who kept their calories under 1000 calories, probably more under 700 calories, has lost hair."
"I don't want to scare you," Christin said speaking directly to people who are still following Kimkins, "but I want to bring you into the reality that there is a better way to lose weight."
Christin asks "are you really doing this?" and urges people to take their diet plan to their doctor for him to examine it. "Take him your Fitday, take him exactly what you are eating, let him see your calorie counts," she said.
"I'm concerned about you," Christin pleaded.
Christin says she is sorry for supporting the "dangerous" Kimkins diet
When the time came for Christin to step into the spotlight back in June when the Woman's World magazine cover story opportunity came up, she said she was "put on a pedestal as the 'cover girl.' I was the model, I was the way to do it." But now she realizes how she was used as a pawn and seeks the mercy of those who trusted and looked up to her.
"I need to ask your forgiveness," she said. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Kimkins is not the way to lose weight. Kimkins is dangerous...for your health, it's dangerous for your psyche."
But as much as Kimkins hurt Christin up until this point, none of it was as grave as what was happening to her without even realizing it. She had the symptoms of an eating disorder that she admits made her realize she "had a problem" when she was fearful of even consuming some salad out of fear that she'd stall in her weight loss.
"I did not get fat on salad and on healthy vegetables," Christin explained. "I got fat on sugar and white carbs."
Getting over the fear of eating was a very difficult mental test for Christin as she now obsessed over every little bite of food she was eating and how it would impact her on the scale. She revealed that she hasn't met anyone who has been on the Kimkins program who wasn't "literally scared" to add food back into their diet.
"What kind of a program is it that makes you scared? Weight loss is not about fear, weight loss is about excitement, it's about joy, it's about recapturing your life," Christin shared with a glimmer in her eyes. "It should be a fun journey, not a fearful one."
And yet fear was exactly what gripped Christin and it would not let go of her.
"If I wasn't losing everyday, then I began wondering what was wrong with me," Christin admitted. "Nothing was wrong with me. My body was screaming at me. It was putting the brakes on and telling me you're going about this the wrong way."
As a devout Christian, she knew that "God created us to eat healthy foods; vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and yes, even fat." Christin reiterated that she believes there is "validity to low-carb programs" like Atkins, Protein Power, and the like when they are done the correct way and not the Kimkins way.
"You will provide your body with all of the nutrients that it needs" when you follow low-carb by the book, Christin shared. "God did not create you to starve yourself."
Outlining the "many dangers within the Kimkins program," she said that it goes much deeper than just an eating disorder. She said that "something is going on within my body" and that it has been manifested in the form of "flutters" in her heart for the past month.
"Twinges, cramps, aches, all within my chest cavity right around the area of my heart," Christin expressed, sharing that it all came to a head on Monday when the "severe chest pains...stomach aches, and nausea" were so great she was admitted to the emergency room staying there until late at night.
The doctors examined her with many tests, including an EKG, blood work, chest x-rays, and they kept her at the hospital for several hours to monitor her condition. It's still unknown what caused the tremendous pain to come on Christin like it did on Monday night, but she was prescribed pain medications and was referred to a cardiologist for an immediate follow-up visit.
That visit to the cardiologist took place on Wednesday who shared several concerns for Christin. With a "more and more serious" look on his face after hearing Christin's story about her starvation-mode weight loss method compliments of the Kimkins diet, he told her flat out that "our bodies can suffer damage from eating that little."
After conducting more tests on her, including an EKG, an ECG, blood work, and "lots of listening with the stethoscope," the cardiologist said he was not concerned about what he called a "normal" low pulse rate of 45 (incidentally, mine is in the upper 40's since I lost nearly 200 pounds and Christin has experienced a heart rate in the low-to-mid 40's). Even still, she says she "might get a second opinion on" just to be sure about it.
But there were real concerns that the cardiologist had for Christin, including "possible damage to my heart nodes and valves from malnutrition." Because of that, he wants to have a sonogram of Christin's heart to confirm whether or not there is this damage since it was inconclusive from the initial examination. He's also concerned about some "esophageal spasms" that happen whenever there is a "rapid change in your dietary program and you lose a lot of weight."
"Things can change on your insides," Christin quoted the cardiologist as saying, "that it takes it a while to catch up."
She is now medication for this "distress" with the contractions surrounding her esophagus and trying to rest as her body goes through the healing process.
Speaking passionately and directly to those who still think the Kimkins diet is a safe and effective way to lose weight in a healthy manner, Christin had an extremely clear and articulate message for them.
"If I and my story can stop anyone else from having pain and having the fear that I did that I might have caused even further damage and by attempting to be for my family I hindered my longevity with them--I was scared to death. That ride to the hospital was one of the most fearful ones that I have ever had! My husband was scared at having to face the possibility of losing his wife and his helper and his love," she recalled from her haunting experience earlier this week.
When they got to the hospital, Christin said she and her husband "prayed together" while holding hands hoping for the best in God's hands. And that's something she wants to help others avoid if they will simply listen to what she has to say.
"If I can save any of you from having to go through that, then it is worth it," Christin concluded.
Speaking about her role as the Public Relations head of Kimkins last month and as the cover girl on the Woman's World magazine in June, Christin said she did it because she "thought [she] was helping" others as is her heart's desire.
"It has always been my desire to help people," she said. "And especially those that I feel a connection with, those who have struggled to lose weight their entire lives, those who have issues with obesity--something that I know all too well."
Christin said taking on those responsibilities felt like she was "doing my part to give hope, to give assurance, to sympathize and to empathize" with people who were facing the same struggles that she had trying to lose weight. She still has those feelings for people who want to beat their obesity which is why she is still blogging and participating in a low-carb forum again.
"My heart goes out to you because I know what it's like," Christin stated. "I know the euphoria of losing weight quickly, but I also know the risks and the dangers involved and I am begging with you now to please listen to your body like I've said so many times and do the right thing."
She added: "There is a right way and a wrong way to lose weight. And I am now convinced that starving yourself and utilizing the Kimkins program in that manner is not the right way."
Realizing there is still a need for a community for people who desire weight loss the healthy way, Christin said we should all "stand together and learn together" the "correct way to use a low-carb program to make each other healthy, to live a longer life for our loved ones and our families."
Christin said she'll be back to blogging again soon and appreciates the friendship and love that has been shown to her through this horrific experience.
"I love you and I'm here for you," she concluded.
Visit Christin and learn more about her continuing low-carb weight loss journey at her "The Journey On" blog as well as the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion" forum. And if you would like to contact Woman's World magazine to let them know about your concerns regarding the Kimkins program, their direct e-mail address is DearWW@aol.com. Perhaps if enough of us let them know about Christin and others who have suffered serious health consequences from being on Kimkins, then they may print a retraction.
As much as I have tried to distance myself from the still growing controversy over the low-carb imposter diet known as Kimkins since my public apology for once supporting it nearly two months ago, new revelations that cannot be ignored keep bringing it back to the forefront and warrant further exposure here. THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO JUST IGNORE!
When the virtual face of Kimkins--Becky, Christin, and Deni--decided to distance themselves from the diet earlier this month, it was a tremendous blow to the reputation of Kimkins that promises "super-fast results" by restricting fat, calories, and carbs. These three beautiful women were the heart and soul of Kimkins and their departure has left the Kimkins web site with a very noticeable lack of love and concern that it had become known for (incidentally, all three of them are now at my forum providing support like they once did at Kimkins).
But then when it was discovered by a private investigator that the founder of this diet who calls herself Kimmer (her real name is Heidi Kimberly Diaz despite the fact she told me personally that Heidi was both her real name and her cousin on two different occasions) is a morbidly obese woman who never lost weight according to her son and ex-husband and has a very long history of being a scam artist, I could no longer remain silent.
If you are a member of the low-carb community, then this issue with Kimkins should be of grave concern to you. What started out as a seemingly innocent-looking diet that's "just another low-carb plan" (it isn't really, but that's how it is being portrayed) has turned into something really ugly that is now having a negative impact on the lives of real people. That's right--PEOPLE ARE GETTING HURT FROM BEING ON KIMKINS!
One such person it is having a direct impact on is the Woman's World cover girl Christin herself who lost 100 pounds in five months on the Kimkins diet. I don't know if you've heard about this yet or not, but she was admitted to the hospital last night with chest pains and has been referred to a cardiologist. Her pulse dipped into the upper 30's and that has the doctors worried for her heart health.
They have ordered Christin to rest today and she is on pain medication to help relieve the chest pains until she can see the cardiologist.
"They did all the tests for major cardiac issues and ruled them out," Christin wrote at my forum. "EKG, blood work, chest x-rays, all came back normal so that is good...please keep praying. I'm pretty sore today (in my heart), but feeling a bit better."
Add this to the other side effects Christin admitted she experienced while on Kimkins, including her hair falling out and missing her menstrual cycle for five months in a row and it is quite disconcerting to say the least. While it is unclear whether this chest pain issue is related to the Kimkins diet or not, it's certainly difficult to ignore.
Then you have Deni who lost 60 pounds in three months on Kimkins and she is now wondering where the "warning label" about this diet is at her blog this week after experiencing some rather odd side effects since being on the diet, too: extra periods, hair loss, dizzy spells, blurred vision, heart flutters, and intense cravings. All of this came in the pursuit of weight loss so she could live a healthier life for her family.
The irony of it all isn't lost on Deni.
"I said that one of the reasons why I wanted to lose weight was because I wanted to be here long enough to see my kids and future grand kids grow up," Deni wrote in her blog this week. "Now, it's possible that losing weight has lowered the chances of that actually happening."
More tests are being run on Deni to see if the damage that was done can be fixed. Please pray for Christin, Deni, and all the others who have received the grim news about the damage to their health that may have been caused by their participation in the Kimkins diet. What a travesty this would be if hundreds, even thousands more following the dictates of this scam diet plan were to have their health ruined, too!
Is it just mere coincidence that the two most prominent Kimkins weight loss success stories are now having to deal with this kind of thing? Why is something like this even allowed to exist when real people have DOCUMENTED proof that they have been damaged as a result of this low-carb imposter diet scheme cooked up by an extremely overweight woman named Heidi Diaz?
If anyone is considering going on the Kimkins diet, then let me warn you: PLEASE DON'T! There are better ways to shed the pounds that are a part of a happy and healthy low-carb lifestyle. You can find information and support for these plans at my new "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion" forum so you can shed the pounds in a healthy and safe manner. Eating at least 1200 calories a day with ample protein at each meal, limiting your carbohydrates from mostly non-starchy veggies (green leafy), and getting healthy amounts of fat will put you on the pathway to success in your low-carb lifestyle. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
As for Kimkins, please do your research by checking up on this growing list of web sites for detailed information about how this diet is nothing more than a ruthless money-making scheme that has been perpetrated on unsuspecting victims by someone who doesn't care a bit in the world about the weight and health of the people she comes into contact with.
Anyone who doubts this (especially those who are still supporting Heidi despite all the evidence inside Kimkins) should get introspective and take a long, hard look at all that has transpired over the past couple of months. If you do that, then there's no other choice for you but to distance yourself as much as possible from this shyster. It is for the best and you'll be so glad you did.
For those of you who were either employed by or were affiliates of Kimkins and are concerned this scam artist Heidi Diaz may try to use your Social Security number for her devious schemes, you may want to try LifeLock to protect yourself as I did. For less than $10 a month, they guarantee your credit and identity will be kept safe from evildoers (like Heidi) and you get a copy of your credit report twice a year along with that service. Additionally, they stop all those annoying credit card offers within a couple of months and alert you anytime someone tries to open a line of credit in your name using your private information. It's the best protective purchase I've made in a long time and it may be just what you need to protect yourself, too! Regardless, good luck to you and here's hoping your sensitive information was not compromised.
The moral of this story surrounding the Kimkins calamity is simple: be very careful about who and what you choose to associate yourself with. I learned my lesson as have many others who were sucked in by this. What began as merely a raw business deal has now turned into something much worse. It's without a doubt a really big danger for the health of those who are on this low-fat/low-calorie starvation diet.
How many more lives will need to be hurt before something is done to bring an end to this? If you want to get pro-active in stopping this dangerous dieting scheme before anyone else is harmed, then lodge a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Also, if you were a member of Kimkins and have been refused a refund, consider joining the class action lawsuit that has been filed against Heidi Diaz for fraud.
9-26-07 UPDATE: My friend Christin has posted a heart-wrenching video at her blog about all that has happened to her health since she began the Kimkins diet that EVERYONE needs to watch--especially those who are still at Kimkins. She addresses her recent heart concerns and warns others to be very wary of this imposter low-carb scam. I'm proud of you Christin!
Continuing with the theme I started yesterday of catching up on some much-needed blogging that I haven't had time to do lately, here are a few more items of interest for fans of livin' la vida low-carb!
READER SHARES HIS UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER WITH MALTITOL
Ever since I first started warning people about the sugar alcohol maltitol found in so many sugar-free, low-carb products, there have been some wang dang doozy stories that are both hilarious and horrendous all at the same time. Remember "Farting" Fred and "Sharted" Sarah. Now we have "Maltitol Macaroon" Mike. ENJOY!
I have a maltitol story to share with you that I'll never forget. I was driving out of town one day and I happened by a health food store. So I stopped in to see what they had. There was a package of little macaroon cookies with all kinds of good numbers, low fat, low sugar, etc. What could be wrong with that? Especially since I LOVE macaroons.
So I bought a bag and headed off to my appointment, snacking on the little macaroons as I drove. Before you knew it, I had eaten the whole package. The next day, I found out the principal adverse effect of maltitol--tropical strength diarrhea. I figured I simply had a bad reaction because I ate too much, so later I tried two pieces of candy made with maltitol, and that also gave me diarrhea.
Take if from me, DON'T EVER EAT ANYTHING WITH MALTITOL IN IT.
GOOD ADVICE, Mike! That why I shared in this recent YouTube video that people should avoid it if they possibly can. It's just not worth the trouble (or pain), is it?
HOOD'S CALORIE COUNTDOWN LOW-CARB MILK BEING DISCONTINUED?
Low-carbers who want an excellent milk substitute have been pleased to use a product called Calorie Countdown from a company named Hood. The milk comes in chocolate (my personal FAVE!) and white and contains just 4g net carbs per serving. This product used to be called Carb Countdown and had the Atkins logo on it before they changed the name to appease the health-conscious consumer last year.
Well, it appears this lone low-carb milk may be on its way out, but I'm still trying to confirm that with Hood. However, one of my readers said she visited her local grocery store to pick up a carton and was told by the manager that Hood Calorie Countdown was being discontinued. If I hear back from Hood about this, then I'll let you know what they say. We may be back to using cream again for milk.
READER DROPS 74 POUNDS IN 2007 AFTER FINDING MY BLOG
You know, when I started this blog I had no idea the impact it was going to have on the lives of real people who were just like me nearly four years ago looking for a glimmer of hope in this weight loss journey. But they're out there watching, reading, learning, and changing their lives forever for the better! I never get tired of hearing stories of low-carb weight loss success like this:
Jimmy,
You've inspired me to lose over 70 pounds in 9 months! I woke up at 41 weighing 270+. I got the "wake-up" call while tying to keep up with my two grade school aged boys. I got on a bicycle and tried to keep up with my nine-year-old and six-year-old. They cleaned my clock! I was so winded I felt as though I'd just ran 10 miles.
I took a long look in the mirror and said to myself, "Man, you're one fat, out-of-shape piece of *^&%!". Well, I decided to do something about it. I did all the stuff the "experts" advise. I went on that dreadful low-fat, low-calorie diet and started to exercise. Well, I had some marginal success, but the hunger was unbearable.
One day I remembered how I used to get to weight during my high school wrestling days. The coach would tell us to avoid all the "White Stuff". He gave us permission to eat two pieces of fruit a day with all the meat, cheese, & garden veggies (excluding potatoes) we wanted, but bread, rice, corn, & sugar were "no nos."
I pulled out an old photo and saw just how lean I was (talkin' about a six-pack!). I contemplated going back on the diet, but was worried about the health risks. I was obviously brainwashed by what I was being told on TV and by my Doctor.
I then started doing a little research to find out how I could do the old diet without the problems. I then stumbled upon your "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog. You had it all laid out! I read the stuff you posted and checked out the studies for myself.
I got Dr. Atkins' book and started my journey. Since January I've went from about 272 pounds down to 198 pounds. I was wearing size 46" waist pants in January and now I'm wearing 34". I'm the thinnest I've been since I got out of the Army 19 years ago. My bodyfat level is now at 14% and I haven't felt this good in years!
Keep up the good work! I appreciate your efforts--way to go!
Man, I NEVER get tired of these kinds of stories. Feel free to share how this blog has motivated you in your low-carb journey by e-mailing me anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net.
NUTRITION ANSWERS WEB SITE GIVE CARB COUNTS, GLYCEMIC INDEX OF FOODS
There's a brand new tool that I'm thrilled to be able to share with you for people who are confused about how many carbohydrates are in various foods. Or perhaps you are following the low-glycemic index diet (GI) and want to know what the numbers are for the foods you are eating. Let me introduce you to Nutrition Answers which was created by an Australian Type 1 diabetic named Derek Miller. This program is still in beta, but I happen to think it is absolutely FANTASTIC! When you get to the web site, click on "Sample Questions" and you will see a list of invaluable links to give you the answers to the carb counts for your low-carb lifestyle. Use this tool early and often to stay on track with your healthy low-carb food choices.
ONCE YOU LOW-CARB FOR A WHILE, DO CARBS ACT CRAZY IN YOUR BODY?
I've heard all kinds of stories from people about what has happened to them since they started livin' la vida low-carb and most of the time it is good. There is an occasional strange symptom or two like what this person shared right after I started this blog. We're all different and not everything is tied to our low-carb diet. With that said, though, there may be a connection sometimes like in the case of this woman who wrote to me:
Hi, Jimmy –
I started the low-carb lifestyle this past summer, on July 4, and am happy to report that I’ve already lost 35 pounds and am down 3 or 4 dress sizes! And I feel absolutely great. In fact, I used to have heartburn fairly regularly on my old “normal American” diet, with the sugar and starches – and had to take a Zantac or Tums or two almost every night – but a week or so after starting low-carbing, the heartburn simply went away and never came back!
I never want to go off this way of eating. I was not pre-diabetic and there’s no history of diabetes in my family – but I had read Dr. Atkins’ books and Protein Power by the Drs. Eades and it all made good sense to me. And I’m so glad I tried it and have taken up the low-carb way of life!
But I have a question for you – on the very rare occasions when I have “slipped” in the past few months and eaten something high-carb (like a couple of mini-Milky Way bars…arrgh, pure sugar! Don’t ask me why I did it – I just did it once!) or some bread-y thing (once or twice, just to be “polite” when it was served) my body has had a bad reaction. Not long after eating the sugar and/or starch, I feel my heart start to pound, sometimes my head will start to ache, and I just overall feel quite bad.
My question is – is this the way I was feeling all the time before I started low-carbing, and I just never noticed it?? Or is my ability to handle carbs somehow weaker than it was? Or has my body just adjusted itself to the low-carb way of life, and now it’s just warning me not to go back? What exactly is that shaky, achy, lousy feeling I get when I, rarely, eat sugar or starch? Is that normal to have that happen?
At any rate, it is a truly effective deterrent. I don’t want to feel lousy again; therefore when I want something sweet, I stick to Splenda or maybe some sugar-free Jello or a few berries.
Thanks so much; love your blog!
It's always interesting to hear how people respond when they reintroduce carbs after they started livin' la vida low-carb. It's an great object lesson to remind us that we are making a LIFESTYLE CHANGE that is permanently altering the way we eat forever. That's something I attempted to convey in my response:
THANKS for writing and congrats on your success.
Think about sugar/carbs like you would crack cocaine. It is addictive and your body goes through withdrawals when you try to stop consuming it. When you get "clean" from the addiction and try to reintroduce it to your body, it is TOXIC and the body rejects it.
That's what happens with carbs after you have been livin' la vida low-carb for a while. Your body no longer relies on them and treats them as foreign entities when they are consumed. You've learned your lesson and won't be doing that again soon. :D
THANK YOU again for your e-mail!
Something tells me she'll be on strict low-carb for a while. As she should.
That's all the time I have for now, but I'm happy to be catching up on some much-needed blogging! More coming soon! In the meantime, Celebrate Gary Taubes Week!
9-26-07 UPDATE: After one of my readers was concerned the Hood Calorie Countdown low-carb milk was being discontinued, I contacted them to find out the scoop. According to a customer service representative, it's still available:
"We appreciate your interest in Calorie Countdown Dairy Beverages. In answer to your question, we have not discontinued these. If you are unable to locate a particular product, we suggest you speak with the store or dairy manager and ask if it can be ordered in."
So, if it's not on your grocer's shelf, ASK FOR IT!!! And be sure to let Hood know how much you appreciate their products that cater to your low-carb lifestyle by sharing your product experience.
Have you considered becoming "committed" to Alli for weight loss?
Forgive me for not jumping for joy or being filled with excitement over the new over-the-counter weight loss drug being heavily promoted right now called Alli. But in Episode 61 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" today, you'll hear exactly why anyone who is livin' la vida low-carb should stay very far away from this latest so-called miracle diet pill that some believe is the ever-elusive "magic bullet." But are they shooting themselves in the foot instead?
Let me warn you ahead of time...my producer had way to much FUN with this one. You'll see what I mean when you listen:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 61 [13:30m]: Play in Popup | Download
Doesn't that just make you wanna run out and get your very own stash of Alli for yourself? NOT! It's truly amazing how a drug with so many well-known adverse side effects could actually be approved by the FDA to be sold over-the-counter while something as harmless as stevia has a tough time getting approved as a sweetener. That FDA is one messed up government entity, I'm telling you! This is a lawsuit worse than Vioxx or Avandia ever dreamed of becoming!
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Have you considered taking Alli, the OTC version of Xenical and orlistat, to help you shed a few extra pounds? Or did you, like one of my readers recently, decide against it because of the risky side effects? Tell us your thoughts about Alli and whether you would ever consider taking a drug like this one in conjunction with your low-carb lifestyle.
Oh, and have you seen what some creative marketing people who make other diet pills are doing lampooning the side effects of Alli? Check this out:
Um, in a word...EWWWWWWW! I think I'd be avoiding Alli if I were you.
Don't miss Thursday's episode of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" because we only have two interviews left from my trip to Nashville last month for the American Society of Bariatric Physicians obesity conference. Hear from the heart of a real doctor who is treating his overweight and obese patients with exactly what they need to be successful. And it ain't Alli!
It has been two years since I first blogged about an ongoing study looking at the negative impact of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs (Lipitor, Crestor, and Zocor are the bestselling) conducted by researchers at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). With literally BILLIONS of dollars spent by patients on each of these drugs annually, are the alleged benefits really worth the pain that so many statin users are reporting?
That's exactly the focus of The Statin Effects Study, led by researcher Dr. Beatrice A. Golomb, and it is the first of its kind to examine and compare actual patient feedback of these FDA-approved drugs on their bodies. With well-publicized concerns in the past over the safety of using such drugs as Vioxx and then the popular diabetes medicine Avandia this week, could removal of these statin drugs from the marketplace be very far behind? It may be coming a lot sooner than later.
Before I started on the Atkins diet in January 2004, I was told by my family doctor to take statin drugs to control my cholesterol. First it was Lipitor which just about killed my joints and muscles to the point that I couldn't take the pain anymore. I pleaded with my doc to give me something else to "lower my cholesterol," so then he switched me to Crestor stating it wouldn't hurt me as bad. Boy was he wrong...it was WORSE! A LOT worse!
In fact, I remember playing basketball at my church one night after losing 100 pounds in early 2004 while still taking Crestor when I went up for a rebound and felt the worst pain I've ever experienced in my thumb. I quickly ran to the sideline and saw my hand swelling up fast (I went to the emergency room where they said I had a deep tissue bruise). All I did was grab the basketball, but the joints in my fingers had become so weak that the impact of gripping the ball caused me to suffer an injury when it probably would not have happened had I not been taking a statin drug.
When I saw a slight increase in my LDL cholesterol last year, my doctor was adamant that I go on a statin drug again. I vehemently refused because I KNEW how they made me feel. So I posed the question to my readers "Do I Statin Or Not?" and the overwhelming conclusion by a consensus opinion was to avoid them at all costs. I was going to anyway, but it was good to see confirmation from my educated peers about this issue.
Dr. Golomb taking on huge special interests with her statin study
So what are some of the most common negative effects of statin drugs according to Dr. Golomb and her fellow researchers? After sifting through over 4100 response surveys from the people participating in the study so far, here's what they found:
- Most of the "adverse effects" occur in higher doses of statins - Recurring symptoms happen frequently after the first side effect - Pain in muscles, trouble remembering things, a tingling, burning, or numbing sensation, and a general sense of irritability are universal reactions to statin drugs - Other symptoms include mood changes, violent nightmares, liver and stomach problems, trouble breathing, profuse sweating, weight gain, breast enhancement, dry skin, rash, impotence, and blood pressure changes - Statins also impact protein in the urine, kidney function, and the heart
The researches are quick to point out that all of these symptoms may or may not be directly related to statin drug use, but they are simply what the study participants shared about what was happening to their bodies while taking them.
*We have learned a great deal that helps us to help those who contact us," the researchers said.
The results of The Statin Effects Study have already begun to appear in published form through the American Heart Association, the Archives of Internal Medicine, Controlled Clinical Trials, Annals of Internal Medicine among others. More importantly, the findings have been presented to the doctors who are prescribing these drugs left and right to inform them what they are doing to their supposedly hypercholesterolemic patients. Whether the message is getting through or not is another story.
While the media has picked up on this study, the reporting is, according to the researchers, "not always accurate." Gee, what a surprise there! But the more information that comes out about what these drugs are doing to the health of the people taking them, it will be difficult for the pharmaceutical companies and their buddies in the media to keep sweeping these facts under the proverbial rug!
There are several side studies that have come out of this data, including:
- What impact on memory do statin drugs have? - Can your body recover from the negative impact of taking statins? - What should doctors do for patients complaining about pain on statins?
Additionally, they want to continue the information collection process by:
- Creating a survey for family members of statin sufferers to fill out - Taking an even closer look at the benefits and harm from statins - Conducting tests on exactly why statins cause the alleged problems - Examining treatment options for the negative effects of statins - Continually seeking to publish their study findings in scientific journals
Not one single dime of money for The Statin Effects Study has been collected from the pharmaceutical industry (although it is highly doubtful they would since the results of the study are not looking good for them!), so this research project has been funded by contributions from individuals who care about this subject.
"We believe this is vital to permitting an unbiased evaluation that includes risks as well as benefits of statin use," the researchers contend. "Your contribution, if you wish to make one, will truly make a difference."
If you would like to donate funds to continue financing this study, then please write a check for any amount that you can afford payable to "UC San Diego Foundation, Fund #3923" and send it to:
UCSD Statin Effects Study 9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0995 La Jolla, CA 92093-0995
You may also submit any questions, comments, or updates on your own experiences taking statin drugs to the researchers anytime by writing to them at statinstudy@ucsd.edu or by calling (858) 558-4950 ext. 215.
"Furthermore, if you know of someone else who may have experienced benefits or adverse effects on statins, we would be grateful if you might be willing to provide them with our contact information and let them know that their input can be of great help to us," the researchers exclaimed.
Have you taken or are you currently taking statin drugs and experience any specific side effects? If so, then take the online survey RIGHT NOW to share how these dangerous drugs may have harmed you in some way. We have an opportunity to help others who may feel like they have to take statin drugs avoid the pain that so many of us have experienced. I gave them my information two years ago and I was happy to contribute in some small way.
Of course, those of us who are livin' la vida low-carb already know that the supposed cholesterol concerns that we hear so much about are completely bunk because the claims have been greatly exaggerated by the drug companies to make a profit. My challenge back to the people who state that elevated cholesterol levels are bad for you is prove it's unhealthy!
So far, there have been no takers because they KNOW the scientific evidence does not support their position! So why take statin drugs at all? For complete and well-researched details about this topic, you absolutely must read the phenomenal book entitled The Great Cholesterol Con by Anthony Colpo. The TRUTH is there in black and white!
You can e-mail Dr. Beatrice A. Golomb to thank her personally for her fantastic leadership on this statin study at bgolomb@ucsd.edu. We need more people like her willing to take the arrows for the betterment of societal health and well-being. You are to be commended, Dr. Golomb!
5-25-07 UPDATE: Well, I heard from Dr. Golomb today after she read this blog post.
Dear Jimmy Moore,
Thank you so very much for your kind words.
We have, um, been under fire a bit from some quarters this last week so it is wonderful to be reminded that what we are doing is important to the people that matter -- patients!!
Sincerely,
Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Medicine UCSD School of Medicine
Oh, I bet you have been "under fire" from the special interests in the pharmaceutical industry that stand to lose BILLIONS of dollars if you keep exposing the TRUTH about what they are doing to the health of real people, or as you describe as "the people that matter -- patients!!" Yep, we are that group of people those in the medical community who support the economic interests of prescription medications like statin drugs have completely forgotten about!
5-26-07 UPDATE: One of my readers wanted to share about a new book she's reading about the corruption of the drug companies that are "selling sickness" to make big profits. Here's what she wrote in an e-mail:
While reading your blog today on the Statin Effects Study, a book I had just finished reading immediately came to mind. Its title is Selling Sickness and was written by Ray Moynihan and Alan Cassels. It is truly phenomenal, and the chapter in the book on "high cholesterol" is eye-opening.
I, too, had been on Crestor and Lipitor and suffered terrible ill effects. After reading this book, I took myself off Lipitor immediately. A portion of the blurb on the inside jacket of the book reads as follows:
"Using their dominating influence in the world of medical science, drug companies are systematically working to widen the very boundaries that define illness. Old conditions are expanded, new ones created, and the markets for medication grow ever larger. Mild problems are redefined as serious illness and common complaints are labeled as medical conditions requiring drug treatments. Runny noses are now allergic rhinitis, PMS has become a psychiatric disorder, and hyperactive children have ADD. When it comes to conditions like high cholesterol or low bone density, being "at risk" is sold as a disease in its own right..."
"The marketing strategies of the world's biggest drug companies now aggressively target the healthy and the well. The ups and downs of daily life have become mental disorders, common complaints are transformed into frightening conditions, and more and more ordinary people are turned into patients. With promotional campaigns that exploit our deepest fears of death, decay and disease, the $500 billion pharmaceutical industry is literally changing what it means to be human. Rightly rewarded for saving life and reducing suffering, the global drug giants are no longer content selling medicines only to the ill. Because as Wall Street knows well, there's a lot of money to be made telling healthy people they're sick."
Jimmy, I got my copy of Selling Sickness from my public library. I would highly recommend that you read it (it's a quick read) and the chapters cover, in part, high cholesterol, depression, menopause, attention deficit disorder, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, etc.
I've heard of this book before and have been trying to get my hands on it. When I do, you can bet I'll write a review here at my blog. THANKS for sharing this with us.
After several weeks of interviews, it's back to normal format again in Episode 42 of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore". If you read that story about the supposedly "drunk" pilot in the UK this past week, then you're never gonna believe why the breathalyzer test came back positive (the man had ZERO alcohol in his blood!). Learn more in today's podcast:
"The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" Episode 42 [10:21m]: Play in Popup | Download
When you think about the side effects of livin' la vida low-carb, you certainly don't expect something like what happened to this pilot to be an issue. But it's a potentially problematic one that should not be taken lightly because it could very well have ramifications on anyone who is on the low-carb lifestyle.
Episode 42 may be an eye-opener for many of you hearing about the low-carb/breathalyzer false positive connection for the very first time today. But actually I was on the cutting edge of sharing about this 8 months ago in this blog post. If this pilot had only read my blog last year, then he may not have had to go through this embarrassing incident.
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Have you ever had to deal with being accused of drinking and driving or operating heavy machinery while "under the influence" of your low-carb diet? It sounds like a joke, but it's absolutely, 100% true! I'd love to hear your story so everyone can learn about this so it doesn't happen to them. I'm curious if this has happened to any of my readers or listeners. Do tell!
I'm happy to be back on the regular format at "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore", including a full transcript of the show for the convenience of those of you who cannot access the audio because of your dial-up connection (this would be a good reason to upgrade to high-speed! *grin*). I'm working on setting up a series of interviews with the low-carb researchers working behind-the-scenes to scientifically validate livin' la vida low-carb as the healthy nutritional approach we know that it is. Coming soon!
An OTC version of the weight loss drug orlistat gets FDA-approval
It wasn't a matter of if, but when.
This Washington Post story details the disappointing news that the United States government regulatory agency over approving medicines that can be sold without a prescription in this country has given its final blessing to an over-the-counter version of a prescription weight loss drug made by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline, who calls this "the only FDA-approved weight loss product available to consumers without a prescription." Yippee freakin' skippy!
You may recall last January when I blogged about the weight loss drug orlistat following an 11-2 recommendation by a group of medical "experts" who deliberated for all of one whole day about whether the risky prescription medicine Xenical should be made available in an OTC formula.
Today, the Food & Drug Adminstration (FDA) made it official and gave the rubber stamp to sell orlistat using the name "Alli." No, it's not pronounced like Muhammed Ali (AH-LEE), but rather like the word "ally" (AL-EYE) as in someone who is on your side.
The irony in that name is that the FDA is certainly no "Alli" to anyone desiring weight loss with their outlandish and irresponsible approval of this drug. They really ought to be ashamed of themselves for putting a drug like this one out there because obesity pills are just pie in the sky promises that don't deliver without a little effort on the part of the dieter. And the FDA even acknowledges that fact.
While they don't encourage children under the age of 18 take this drug (but who are we kidding? Parents will be buying this drug for their fat kids left and right!), it is absolutely open game for adults willing to combine it with a low-fat, low-calorie, portion control diet and exercise program. That's right, just in case you missed the fine print from the FDA about this latest cure-all for obesity, the dirty little secret is you STILL have to diet!
Don't even think about livin' la vida low-carb while taking the 60 mg capsules of "Alli" right before each of your three daily meals either because it only works well in people who eat little to no fat in their diet. Yep, not only do you get the unique pleasure of having most of the fat you put inside of your body sucked completely dry like a shallow river basin in 110 degree heat, but you also are FORCED to eat a low-fat diet in the process to make it work. Aren't you just so very happy about that?!
But wait, there's more!
In addition to not absorbing dietary fat (which can be dangerous on a number of levels that you don't even want me to get into!), this drug may very well prevent you from absorbing some of the most essential nutrients in the foods you eat. Therefore, they recommend you take a multivitamin before you go nighty-night sucking your thumb while holding a fuzzy wuzzy teddy bear.
Isn't this hilarious? While opponents of livin' la vida low-carb always chastise us for promoting vitamin supplementation on our very natural and healthy way of eating, here's the FDA telling people they need to eat a low-fat diet and take supplements if they decide to start using the "Alli" OTC weight loss pill. And this is the WEAK version of the drug Xenical--can you imagine what the full-strength one is like?
Like most drugs, "Alli" is not without some really nasty side effects. Try this on for size: loose stools, excess gas, fatty stools, possible uncontrollable bowel movements, flatulence with discharge, abdominal pain, and a general sense of poop-poopy-doop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, non-stop fun between you and the porcelain goddess! Aren't you so glad you chose to lose weight this way? NOT! Sounds about as bad as the weight loss drug for dogs I blogged about last month!
Seriously, though, orlistat is NOT for everyone (I don't think it's for ANYONE, but that's just my take on it!). People who have had an organ transplant shouldn't take it because of drug interactions and neither should people on blood thinners, who are diabetic, have a thyroid problem, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, or malabsorption syndromes. The FDA says people with these conditions should consult with their before using this over-the-counter drug.
Um, maybe I'm thinking too hard about this, but why make a drug OTC if there are very real dangers to a large segment of the population with all those ailments listed above? Has the FDA completely gone out of its mind here (don't answer that question because we already know the answer)?!
I'm telling you, this is a class action lawsuit just waiting to happen. The FDA has no idea what it has gotten itself into approving a drug like orlistat and making it available to anyone and everyone walking through the grocery store, Wal-mart, or drugstore. The end result will be more obesity and a lot more tummy aches.
I've said it before, but I'll say it again and again if I have to. People need to stop looking for the next great diet pill to come prancing in like Prince Charming to swoop them off their feet with promises of weight loss nirvana. Sorry to burst your fantasy everyone but it ain't gonna happen...nor should it!
Weight loss can be achieved safely and naturally without the use of ANY drugs whatsoever. Not once during my nearly 200-pound low-carb weight loss experience over these past few years have I felt compelled to add a drug, prescription or otherwise, to my diet for the purposes of aiding in my weight loss. NEVER! If I didn't trust my low-carb lifestyle to do everything I needed it to to shed the pounds and restore my health, then I'd start looking for another way to eat.
It should be quite disturbing to anyone who is eating a low-fat, low-calorie diet right now that their diet all by itself just isn't good enough to bring about weight loss and improved health. Nope, they have to have something like orlistat to be added to them in order for them to work better (although the jury is still waaaaay out on that claim!). Why put yourself through all of that?!
Come on over to livin' la vida low-carb and enjoy what REAL healthy living is like. No drugs, no forced diet plans, no disgusting foods to put up with--just delicious foods that help produce amazing positive results in your weight and health.
Vee Jefferson should be feeling mighty proud of herself right about now.
In the 18-month history of "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog, never has anything caused more anger and disgust from my readers than this Augusta Free Press article about livin' la vida low-carb. I quite literally received a link to this article from nearly a hundred different people begging me to respond.
When I saw it earlier this week, my first reaction was to ignore it and move on. But the more I thought about it and the more people who kept telling me about it, I changed my mind and decided to confront Jefferson's thoughtless column directly. As a registered nurse for the past decade, she has been sharing others her wealth of wisdom about health. I think her patients should demand a refund of their money for her health advice because this woman is clearly delusional about diet and nutrition.
In her column entitled "Low-carb diets - some dangerous truths uncovered," Jefferson immediately laid the groundwork for her attack against the low-carb lifestyle by declaring it as "a very unhealthy way to lose weight." She adds that it is "dangerous" for reasons that go far beyond the high-fat content and added calories. Which is worse, Ms. Jefferson, the low-carb diets like Atkins or remaining obese? I'd love to know the honest answer to that question from these people who so heavily criticize low-carb.
The side effects of low-carb that generally come in the first few days of Induction and highlighted in this recent study are described by Jefferson as "signs of impending crises."
What "crises," Ms. Jefferson? I've been eating low-carb for almost three years now. When am I supposed to be in this state of crisis that you claim? The only state of crisis that I am aware of is the OBESITY one we are experiencing currently which is why so many people need to be livin' la vida low-carb now more than ever before!
Jefferson's two biggest concerns about low-carb--she calls them "the most important dangers"--are low blood sugar and low potassium which she believes are "the quick killers."
What is it killing, Ms. Jefferson? Again, I must ask where you get this kind of information from because I don't feel like I'm going to diet anytime soon from low blood sugar or reduced potassium levels. Oh, wait a minute...ooo, ohhh, ouch, umpf, er...AHHHH! Nevermind, it was just gas. I thought I was dying there for a moment. Jefferson just had me so convinced.
Give me a freakin' break, lady! Is that REALLY the best you've got? Low-blood sugar and low-potassium?! Both of these problems can be EASILY managed on a low-carb diet because your blood sugar is STABILIZED and taking a potassium supplement can remedy those problems. This is just about as empty an argument as you can make against low-carb living.
Even still, Jefferson says "these are the things the dieters really need to know about" and that she will attempt "to make these things easy to read and unmistakably clear to everyone."
Oh goodie! Can't wait! NOT!
She did have ONE good thing to say about livin' la vida low-carb before attempting to "tear down" what she thinks is bad about it. Jefferson claims it is "a very good idea to limit carbohydrate intake," primarily sugar.
Shazam, she admits she support low-carb although she doesn't support the low-carb lifestyle. HUH?! Are you like 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry where you were FOR low-carb before you were AGAINST it?! This is gonna be ugly, I can see that right now.
Oh, she clarifies what she means by the lowering of carbohydrates versus "low-carb diets." The latter is too "strict" because it only allows 20-30 grams of carbs daily. Hey, at least she didn't say ZERO like most media pundits. But she still believes there are hazards to eating even this many carbs in your diet.
"These are the diets that can kill if the dieter is not familiar with the dangers," Jefferson wrote.
Are you ready for these lame-brained excuses for NOT doing low-carb? Here we go!
1. FIBER
"Low-carb dieters may not get enough fiber, which keeps bowel movements regular and reduces the risk of heart disease, some cancers and diabetes. Without eating carbohydrates from plant sources like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans - foods limited or banned on low carbohydrate diet plans - it is difficult to get the daily recommended amount of fiber."
Says who, Ms. Jefferson? From day one of my low-carb lifestyle which began back in January 2004 when I weighed 410 pounds, I have taken a fiber supplement in addition to the fiber I receive from the foods I eat, such as flax seed and other products. Some of my favorite low-carb bars, including GoLower nut bars as well as ChocoPerfection chocolate bars are LOADED with more fiber than most of the fruits, veggies, whole grains and beans you can buy. Fiber is an integral part of a low-carb plan and stating otherwise is intentionally manipulating the truth about this amazing way of eating.
2. WATER WEIGHT LOSS
"The truth about low-carb dieting is that you do lose weight. The first bit of weight loss, however, is water weight.
Help me, glurble glurble glurble, I'm drowning in my 200 pounds of water, glurble glurble GASP, that I lost on my low-carb diet. HA! So what do you lose on a low-fat diet, Ms. Jefferson, besides your mind?! My friend Jackie Eberstein, who worked with Dr. Robert C. Atkins for decades researching low-carb diets, thoroughly dismantled the "water weight" myth that is often drudged out by those who oppose low-carb living. I have also addressed this issue at great length previously, so I won't bore you with the details again. Ms. Jefferson, go read all about it to learn something!
3. MUSCLE MASS LOSS
"As you progress on the [low-carb] diet, you will lose some fat, but you will also lose some muscle mass. And let's not forget that the heart is a muscle, too. The marketers of these low-carb diets tell you that you should consume extra protein to avoid losing muscle mass, but experts say that eating excess protein does not prevent this because there is a caloric deficit."
"When insulin levels are chronically too low, as they may be in very low-carb diets, catabolism (breakdown) of muscle protein increases, and protein (needed for muscle building) synthesis stops. Because this causes of quick muscle fatigue, the person generally exercises and moves less (often without realizing it), which is not good for caloric expenditure and basal metabolic rate (metabolism)."
Before I started livin' la vida low-carb, the constant rollercoaster ride I gave my blood sugar levels was leading me straight towards becoming a Type 2 diabetic. But when I removed sugar and other refined and processed carbohydrates from my diet, for the first time in my life I was no longer enslaved by those foods that kept me in constant physical bondage. No more ups and downs with insulin in my body working overtime. Low-carb living normalized and balanced that in my body and I've been healthier ever since.
While the first few weeks were difficult with the energy as my body was getting used to burning fat for fuel rather than carbs, ever since then I have been one of the most energetic people you will ever meet in your entire life. I am a daily exerciser getting in my cardiovascular workouts and can go for 45, 60, even 90 minutes at a time no problem. Jefferson is again lying to you about the effect of low-carb on your body. You will WANT to exercise more because of the energy RUSH you get from being on it. Get past Induction and LOOK OUT! Whooooooosh comes the energy...I'VE GOT THE POWER!
5. KETOSIS IS DANGEROUS
"Ketosis is usually marketed to the consumer by low-carb diet advocates as being a good thing - a positive thing. I'm telling you now, it's not. I've actually read a very popular book on low-carb dieting - I'm not naming any names - where the writer actually encourages the readers to go out and buy ketone test strips so that they can have proof that their bodies have reached the desired state of fat burning."
I'll name names, Ms. Jefferson. It was Dr. Atkins and I PROUDLY used ketone strips to see if I was in ketosis or not. Seeing that pink or purple strip was a reminder of the good I was doing for my body on my way to losing over 180 pounds in 2004.
"Ketosis, left unchecked, can lead to very serious consequences. Ketosis occurs when the amount of carbohydrates (the fuel that required to make the body function) drops below a critical level."
Ketosis is NOT dangerous, Ms. Jefferson. Why do you lie so much? What are you afraid of people knowing about low-carb? Regarding carbohydrates, they are NOT the fuel of a low-carber. FAT is the fuel that we live off of which burn much more efficiently than those garbage carbs you support.
"This forces the body to turn to protein and then to the body's fat stores to do the work carbohydrates are supposed to do. When protein is used in this manner, it releases nitrogen into the blood stream, placing a burden on the kidneys as they try to expel excessive urinary water due to the loss of sodium (salt). When fat is likewise used, the breakup releases fatty acids, or ketones, into the bloodstream, which causes a further burden on the kidneys. If ketosis continues for long periods of time, serious damage to the liver and kidneys may occur. Liver failure means absolute death, because doctors can do nothing to fix this. Kidney failure means dialysis, and may eventually lead to death as well."
Oh the horrors, weeping and gnashing of teeth! Somebody call a doctor for Ms. Jefferson before she has a stroke. Thanks for your concern over my kidneys and liver, but both are doing quite well despite being on low-carb for THREE YEARS! Gasp! Shouldn't I be on dialysis by now and on my death bed? Did somebody forget to tell my body all of this bad news?
6. LOW BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
"When a person stays on a low-carb diet over a long period of time, one day they may notice that they are unusually weak. They may feel an overwhelming urge to lie down and may even feel dizzy and lightheaded. It's very important that you are aware of what is going on so that you will be able to treat yourself fast. You need sugar FAST!"
No you don't! I haven't had a bit of sugar for THREE YEARS, Ms. Jefferson. If I get dizzy, then it probably means I need to EAT SOMETHING, not jump to get sugar in my blood as soon as possible since I am not diabetic. That's some just plain ridiculous advice! That would only make the problem worse as an insulin rush would then be followed by the inevitable blood sugar crash hours later. Nope, not going through that ever again!
"Now, since you're not diabetic, it's only important for you to raise your blood-sugar level fast. Any sugar is good. Drink a soda or some juice, eat some candy or anything you have that has a good bit of sugar in it. Then eat something starchy, like a sandwich or a potato, to maintain your blood sugar and lay off the diet now."
Oh sure, recommend people eat something with a ton of sugar in it and then follow that up with a high-carb food. What a disgusting solution by someone purporting to be a health professional. She describes this as "instant death" if it is not handled appropriately, but it's more like instant HYPE from her to discourage people from trying low-carb.
"What's the seriousness of very low blood sugar? You will eventually pass out, stop breathing, and die. If you're home alone, that means no one will be able to save you. If you're driving, it means you may have an accident and possibly hurt or kill someone else in the process."
Come on, Ms. Jefferson! Enough with the theatrics here. You and I both know low-carb does NOT cause you to have low blood sugar levels. What it does is bring balance to blood sugar where it was previously out of kilter. Hyperbolizing this issue like you have done is reckless and borderline criminal by purposefully leading people to the wrong conclusions about the impact of low-carb on their bodies. Three years and running and I've never passed out, stopped breathing or died (unless I'm typing this as a ghost or something!).
7. LOW POTASSIUM LEVELS
"Diets low in carbohydrates may also be low in potassium. Foods rich in potassium, but also rich in carbohydrates, such as potatoes, fruits and beans, are restricted or banned. Low potassium, also medically known as hypokalemia, is potentially fatal. There may be no symptoms at all, but the condition is still just as deadly."
Muscle pain, muscle cramps, seizures, disturbed heart rhythm which could lead to death are all alleged symptoms of a lack of potassium in the diet. While it is true many foods high in potassium are also high in carbohydrates, that doesn't mean you can't get enough potassium in your diet from supplements. I took 300mg of potassium in the early days of my low-carb plan to ward off the leg cramps and maintain adequate potassium levels in my body. Nowadays, I use products like AlsoSalt which contains high amounts of potassium. This has NEVER been an issue on my low-carb plan...EVER!
"One thing I really want the person considering doing a low-carb diet to understand is how dangerous a muscle cramp can be. No pain, no gain, right? Wrong! Your heart is a muscle! And what do you think happens if your heart starts to cramp?"
Break my bleeding heart over this load of you know what! So, if you don't get enough potassium in your body on your low-carb plan and the cramp hits your heart, then you could die. Is that your premise, Ms. Jefferson? SO TAKE A POTASSIUM PILL AND MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE!!! Why go through the drama about this and give people advice about how to get more potassium in their diet, hmmm? That's seems so much more productive than railing against low-carb as a killer.
NOW DO YOU SEE WHY I STRUGGLED WITH WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS COLUMN?!
After shelling out her unsolicited opinions about the so-called dangers of low-carb living, Jefferson then gives advice of her own:
- Always talk to your doctor before starting a diet and fitness regimen.
Sure, but be prepared to go it alone if your doctor does not support your decision to begin a low-carb diet. The latest research is showing low-carb is healthier than those in the medical profession once thought.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet and leave the fad diets alone.
Here we go again! What is a healthy diet, Ms. Jefferson? Low-fat/low-calorie foods that taste like cardboard? What is so balanced about eating THAT way?! To me and many others who have mistakenly bought into the low-fat diet propaganda in the past, most of us would agree that the low-fat diet is the most agregious fad diet that has ever been released to the world. God help us reverse the negative effects that have been unleashed because of that failed nutritional approach.
- If you are very overweight, inquire about the use of prescription diet pills with you doctor.
Holy cow, can you believe this lady recommending taking DRUGS over a natural weight loss method such as low-carb?! Talk about your DANGEROUS FADS, Ms. Jefferson! Don't lecture people about the health risks associated with low-carb and then turn right around in the same column praising the use of medications to lose weight. What kind of credibility do you have as a medical professional offering up such nonsense as this. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed last night or something?
- Exercise regularly, at least three times per week, alternating between cardiovascular and muscle strengthening exercises.
No argument from me on this. Thirty minutes daily MINIMUM is good for your heart!
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.
AT LEAST! I drank as much as 2-3 gallons daily when losing weight and still drink about a gallon or more per day now. Water breathes life into low-carb and works with the fiber you consume to flush the stored fat out of your body.
- Sleep is important to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight. Get enough sleep every night. Eat within 20 minutes of waking (this revs up the metabolism for the day).
You won't hear me bemoan this advice. Sleep is essential to your health on so many levels and eating breakfast is vital to starting your day off fueled up ready to take on the activities of your day--even on that "dangerous" low-carb diet!
- Make breakfast your biggest meal, instead of dinner. Eat five small meals throughout the day, instead of three large meals.
- And try not to get on the scale too often. A healthy weight loss should be no more than 1-2 pounds per week. If you get on the scale and are disappointed or frustrated by your progress, it may cause you to back slide. Mostly measure your success by how good you feel and how your clothes fit, or better yet, don't fit!
While studies show weighing daily is a good way to keep the weight off for good, I encourage people to put the scale away for a few weeks if it is discouraging them. Ms. Jefferson is right about measuring your success in other ways rather than the scale! Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while!
- But most importantly, if you do insist on starting on a low-carb diet, make sure you take a break from it at least every two weeks, by resuming a normal, healthy carbohydrate intake.
Very BAD BAD BAD advice that should NOT be followed at all. If you go back to eating carbs every two weeks, then your body will never get to experience the extended weight loss and health benefits that livin' la vida low-carb will give you. And Ms. Jefferson knows this which is why she wants people to get off of low-carb. What will happen is your weight will begin to stall unnecessarily as it keeps trying to begin burning stored fat again. But the carbs you've eaten will need to be burned off first before fat-burning can commence. You're dooming your low-carb diet to fail if you take her recommendation.
WHEW! I think I need an aspirin or something after filtering through that filth of a column. I do believe this one takes top honors as the most idiotic, unresearched, imaginary defense against livin' la vida low-carb that I have blogged about here in this forum. CONGRATULATIONS, Vee Jefferson. You win the award for Anti-Low-Carb Pinhead of the Year! This was a great lesson in why I am here doing what I can to educate, encourage and inspire people about low-carb living. You tried, but you failed to convince ANYONE of your twisted views. THANK YOU for playing! Better luck next time (if you dare!).
You can send your reactions and responses about Vee Jefferson's column about the low-carb lifestyle by writing a letter to the editor of The Augusta Free Press at letters@augustafreepress.com.
Dr. Chow having a cow over so-called side effects that come from low-carb
When I read about studies like this one regarding people who go on what the media calls the Atkins/low-carb diet, it literally takes everything within me to keep from pulling my hair out because it is obvious the researchers don't have a clue what livin' la vida low-carb is REALLY about.
Lead researcher Dr. Chin Moi Chow, senior lecturer in the School of Exercise and Sport Science of The University of Sydney in Australia, claims that she observed 15 people on the Atkins diet over a THREE-DAY period and noticed that the study participants experienced more mood swings, fatigue and even extreme dreams allegedly as a result of being on a low-carb diet.
Dr. Chow said more of the Atkins dieters were able to sleep deeply (18 percent) than the control group on a normal diet (14 percent) because the higher fat intake supposedly stimulates the release of a hormone called cholecystokinin that makes them tired. But she was quick to point out the trade-off for this deep sleep includes vivid dreams and frequent waking up in the middle of the night as the body "struggled to break down hard-to-digest foods," apparently referring to the additional fat and/or protein consumed by low-carb dieters.
While only 20 percent of the study partipants on a normal diet remembered their dreams, 53 percent of Atkins dieters recalled how "unpleasant" their dreams were.
“Some people didn't remember much about their dreams but they definitely remembered that they were unpleasant,” Dr. Chow stated. ”Others reported being chased or experiencing nasty stresses related to their daily lives."
The negative impact of this manifested itself during the daytime for the Atkins dieters who were tired, moody, irritable, lacked concentration, and could not focus. In fact, Dr. Chow made the following grim conclusions about people who go on the Atkins diet.
"It might make you lose weight and sleep more deeply but the side effects are so bad that they seriously affect your life," Dr. Chow exclaimed. “So that's not good on your work situation or social situation, and if you have a lapse of concentration while you're driving that could be fatal."
She added that the Atkins dieters in her study were also suffering from low blood sugar levels and ketosis which she describes as "chronic starvation." Who would ever want to put themselves through something like this?!
Does this sound like a weight loss plan YOU would want to do after reading a study like this? Heck, if I hadn't already lost close to 200 pounds on the Atkins diet already, then I'm not so sure I'd want to do it with the way Dr. Chow conducted her study. I have previously blogged about low-carb changing your mood, but that's not the whole story.
Let's throw a little practical reality into the picture right about now.
As my friend and fellow 200-pound Atkins diet weight loss success story Kent Altena recently explained in his video about Induction flu, there are some rather unpleasant TEMPORARY side effects to beginning a low-carb program because most people are addicted to carbohydrates--VERY ADDICTED! I know I was.
I personally wanted to kill myself on the first day of my Atkins diet experience because I felt so unbelievably weak, drained of any energy whatsoever, a massive headache from Hell...I think you get the picture. My wife Christine will tell you that she has never seen me get so sick as I did on January 1, 2004 when I embarked on this journey to lose weight on the Atkins diet.
But is this a reason to NOT start a low-carb plan? Heck no! It's VERY natural to make your body go through the sugar and refined carb withdrawals in those early days because it is a necessary step to getting to the best part of livin' la vida low-carb--WEIGHT LOSS, BABY! Had I given up after just three days, Dr. Chow, then I would never tasted the thrill of an enormous weight loss and vastly improved health. My life was RADICALLY changed for the better because of the Atkins diet.
Plus, what's with a study about the Atkins diet on just fifteen people for only three days, Dr. Chow? That's not the Atkins diet. It doesn't even take you through even one-fifth of ONE PHASE of the Atkins diet. Come on people, let's get real about what we are calling the Atkins diet here. This reminds me of that Georgia student who went on Atkins for two whole days. WOW, that must have been some plan. NOT!
If you are going to accurately look at the Atkins diet that was created by the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins, Dr. Chow, then you need to go at least two weeks to get through the Induction phase and then another 8-24 weeks to see how the dieter progresses from being controlled by carbs to taking control of their eating habits for the first time in their life.
Sure, it can be rough in the early days of Atkins and nobody in the low-carb community is denying that. But that's like leaving a movie theater five minutes after the movie starts because a character you liked was murdered. Does this mean the movie is bad because of this? Of course not. And neither does any pain or struggles that come early on in a low-carb plan.
Even Dr. Chow admits these side effects that she says happen on the Atkins diet have not been evaluated over longer periods of time, but rather she insists on making her three days indicative of ALL low-carb dieters at any point on the diet. That's just plain ridiculous, Dr. Chow, and you should be ashamed of yourself for putting that out there in the public realm as scientific fact. It's nothing more than a low-carb hatchet job and you know it!
My blogging friend Suzique from the new "Low-Carb Lab" blog made the following comment in this blog post about Dr. Chow's study today.
"If the people would get past the three-day mark they would see an amazing reversal of all this. Side effects are NOT from fat in the diet but the withdrawal from carbs. Yet studies like this keep the public at large ignorant of the real facts of this way of eating."
I couldn't have said it better myself, Suzique!
Wanna express your thoughts about this silly study with Dr. Chin Moi Chow herself? You can e-mail her at C.Chow@fhs.usyd.edu.au.
and was written by Ray Moynihan and Alan Cassels. It is truly phenomenal, and the chapter in the book on "high cholesterol" is eye-opening. 
