LCHF is dangerous. Shortens lifespan. - Diabetes India

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LCHF is dangerous. Shortens lifespan.

gvk131 profile image
47 Replies

Nowadays lots of news coming out on LCHF.

thedailystar.net/health/new...

Can someone explain. I am following LCHF for the last 6 months.

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gvk131
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gvk131

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namaha profile image
namahaAdministrator

Dear GVK

(1) If you are following LCHF for the last 6 months , how are you feeling ?

What is your blood glucose levels hba1c ? Is it controlled better than before ?

What is your lipid profile ?

Were you able to reduce your diabetic medicines ??

(2) what I have seen there are many examples of people reversing type 2 with LCHF Keto diet without medicines.

if you go back to Your previous balanced diet , you may have to resort to multiple drugs, increased dosage, then also your lifespan may get shortened with increased medication and diabetic complications due to inadequate blood Glucose control!

You decide what suits better for you, there would always be conflicting news articles floating around and there are vested interest involved as there could always be interested parties such as doctors, pharma industry. But to me it appears there is no involvement of any vested interst in case of LCHF. Your views may vary than mine.

You may like to comment !

Thanks for posting your query!

gvk131 profile image
gvk131 in reply to namaha

Dear Namaha,

Answer to your questions as follows:

1) To start with, I feel little depressed by nit tasting different foods. The HbA1c is not changed much. Lipids little in the plus side. But due to regular exercise, managed to keep it under control.

2) Understand the choice is

(a) to live without medication by following LCHF, depriving all foods,of course on moderate quantity only, but shorter life span ( if lchf is bad on a long run).

(b) If LCHF is not followed, back to medication, back to desired foods on moderation and reduced life span.

If you see, as per you, both lead to reduced life span but with different conditions.

My confusion started here only.

Luckysugar profile image
Luckysugar in reply to gvk131

Gvk131

Thanks for addressing your concerns on LCHF. You are not alone to have doubt the long-term consequences of this diet including myself. This diet has become popular and unavoidably debatable from those who consume different diets. Most doctors and nutritionists will recommend a balanced diet and low-fat versions as diabetics have high risks of cardiovascular or other major organ diseases. I used to follow those advice but my A1C was rising. Perhaps getting older could cause or affect glucose clearance in our body. I agree that food deprivation or restriction is one of the issues for LCHF but this won't stop me as I want to remain drug-free as long as possible and of course keeping BSL in controlled.

It's really up to you to choose what to do with your health and lifestyle. We are all different. What's work for others may not work for you and me due to differences in age, gender, health conditions and lifestyle. You know yourself best not your doctor nor anyone from this forum. Knowing your stand and be confident with what you are doing. Consulting your doctor would help. However, doctors also have different views, knowledge and belief. Good luck 😃

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Activity2004Administrator in reply to Luckysugar

Perfectly said, Luckysugar !😀 Thank you!😀👍👌

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Luckysugar in reply to Activity2004

Anytime 😃😎🤗

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Activity2004Administrator in reply to Luckysugar

That’s great! Good night!😀👍👌😴

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Luckysugar in reply to Activity2004

Sleep tight dear. It's just past midday and beautiful sunny day here 😎

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Activity2004Administrator in reply to Luckysugar

Almost 12 am/midnight. I will be back later when I get done with my breakfast. Thank you.

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Luckysugar in reply to Activity2004

Catch you later, thanks 🤗

ramana42 profile image
ramana42Volunteer

This article reflects my views exactly. We are seeing such articles rather frequently now a days. There are a large number of posts on this subject on this forum with people taking extreme positions leading to acrimonious debates. In fact, I know of some people who left this forum because of the acrimony. My view is, keeping apart Type 1 sufferers, I find it rather apalling to be eating so much fatty foods for about 20 to 30 years of being a diabetic. I have chosen to moderate my food intake, avoid high GI foods, eat medium GI foods with caution and consume low GI foods in adequate quantities. My results are satisfactory, considering my age and as evaluated by my physician on quarterly/yearly basis. Having said that, I have to say that LCHF is an individual's choice though not approved by main stream medical practice in India and elsewhere.

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Administrator in reply to ramana42

You make a good point, ramana42 . Not every diet is going to be appropriate for everyone. Everyone is different and a certain type of diet may not work for a certain person-- or group of people. Also, some doctors don't always suggest low carb high fat because they don't want the patients having heart and other complications.

suramo profile image
suramoStar in reply to Activity2004

I beg to differ. Science never fails. Metabolic reactions/macronutrients biochemistry are the same in all. It's we who might not strictly follow knowingly or unknowingly. One should follow the diet scientifically. Then only we can come to some definite conclusion.

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak in reply to ramana42

I find contradictory recommendations by various organisations/individuals/experts on the same foods. For e.g. papaya, watermelon and banana are not recommended by my physician but Otange health video recpmmed them for diabetics. Only the qualified and persons who are diabetics for long can give the correct advice do beware!

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak in reply to Vsthak

Please correct 🍊 orange health

in reply to Vsthak

papaya &, watermelon are good in the sense they have minerals & vitamins apart from being low glycemic . Banana is rich in potassium which averts the danger of stroke .

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak in reply to

But my MD advised to avoid. One man's meal may poison for another.

in reply to Vsthak

yes ,first of all the doctors have to be educated about the pros and cons of taking various foods . They are still going on the beliefs which they were taught long back . When the advantages over weigh the disadvantages , one has to go for the side of benefits and one has to reduce the in take in other areas to cut down the calories .

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak in reply to

Besides calories its related more to the GI n GL

in reply to Vsthak

whether gi or gl , important point is getting minerals and vitamins along with other nutrients in right measures because in diabetes the only factor to be controlled is not sugar alone. It is equally important not to fall a pray to other complications especially nerve damage which is irreversible .

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak in reply to

The same nutrients may be available elsewhere

in reply to Vsthak

yes , the nutrients are available elsewhere . But we can get only things which are available locally and which are not costly . When compared to apples guavas are cheap . the same way pea nuts are cheaper in comparison to almonds . chia seeds , are costlier than sesame seeds . Thus many nutrient foods are relatively cheaper when compared to fruits and vegetables imported from abroad . Watermelon , papaya ,bananas are poor man's nutrient foods .

ramana42 profile image
ramana42Volunteer in reply to Vsthak

Problem with diabetes is that there are any number of opinions,suggestions and advises which mostly contradict each other.I cite the example of sweet potato which is considered a super food by one very reputed organization.Mention this to any dietician in India about this and you will only find shock and dismay.There is also the case of a qualified doctor in kerala feeding laddoos to diabetics,which are supposed to wake up the pancreas that has gone to sleep.So,my view is that one should not be surprised or reject an idea outright.Think about it and come to your own conclusion.Some experimentation and trial and error approach is unavoidable.

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak in reply to ramana42

Absolutely right and the immunity differs from person to person as also the level of the disease. Banana is advised to a or or to take cautious ly by one and all. Nevertheless, there are some videos in which it is shown to avoid all fruits as far as possible.

rashmisharma2612 profile image
rashmisharma2612 in reply to Vsthak

I enjoy all fruits.only thing is eat small portion or in combination with other foods which have very less GI.For example I eat mango after besan(chickpea flour) roti

suramo profile image
suramoStar in reply to Vsthak

The best way to learn which fruits suit you and in what quantity, eat them and measure the blood sugar at 30, 60,90 and 120 minutes intervals.

Logically, watermelon has gi of 71 and 4% carbs. 92% water.The total gl of the meal should be less than 10. Likewise, you should learn about gi gl of fruits, decide the quantity and reconfirm by measuring the blood sugars if that particular fruit suits you. Repeat 2-3 times.

Banana, sapota, orange juice, and any fruit juice should be avoided. The best fruits are strawberries, guavava, apples, bluberries, avocado etc.Mango gi 51 and @15 g carbs per average size mango. Gl 7.5. But, then no other carbs with that.

suramo profile image
suramoStar in reply to ramana42

>> LCHF is an individual's choice …

No. It's not a choice, but it's the only way to control the blood sugars scientifically and effectively/efficiently. Had there been not this concept, diabetics would have suffered from complications, lethal or incapacitating.

Also, lchf has emerged just the last few years back and widely accepted a few years ago. Lchf shortens the life is just an assumption and not supported by evidence or study.

ramana42 profile image
ramana42Volunteer in reply to suramo

I agree with you 100% with reference to Type 1.For Type 2,I am afraid we have to respectfully agree to disagree.

suramo profile image
suramoStar in reply to ramana42

It's not about views.Any thing said or postulated should have scientific base and supported by genuine studies.There are many animals and even humans who survive only and only on meat. They live reasonably longer.

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Administrator in reply to suramo

This is a very good point, suramo . Thank you for bringing this up.

in reply to suramo

Tortoise is herbivorous which lives the longest life. The strongest animals like elephants, rhinos, buffalos,horses, bisons, giraffes,etc. are all herbivorous. Don't get too stubborn with your opinions.

forbes.com/sites/quora/2016...

suramo profile image
suramoStar in reply to

We are diabetics. We can't metabolize carbs efficiently. So most logical means to control diabetes is to avoid carbs.Also carbs are not essential for our life. We can survive on proteins and fats only. That's what i mean.It's purely science and not biased stubborn opinion.

patliputra profile image
patliputra

I fully agree. Keep away from extreme diet regime.

rvmasalvad profile image
rvmasalvadVolunteerStar

lchf no doubt has generated lot of controversy both in medical and non medical world..I have read that lchf generates ketons an acidic substance and if it is a controlled affair it may reduce body weight and possible blood sugar.If it is uncontrolled it forms ketosis which is dangerous.In any case it is advisable to follow this diet under medical supervision and constant check of urine for high level of ketones.

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak

And why we have to depend on the parameters set by foreign countries. Their wather conditions, stmosphere, build up, diets, immunity are completely different. Why can't we have our own experts whose opinions would be conducive to our culture, lifestyles and foods.

in reply to Vsthak

Yes ,what suits the climatic needs of those countries does not suit Indian and other tropical countries .

Europe is not ASIA . why should we take any thing in excess which does not suit our needs as per our climate and life style and then go for supplements , anti oxidents etc .

Herbal supplements are better than chemical supplements . It is a wrong notion that only meat supplies all nutrients . On the other hand meat is contributing to many health hazards with high level of pollution . It has become a slavish dependence on the western outlook for any health issue giving undue importance to their research which is haphazard . Yes after certain age hormones get depleted , body's efficiency & immunity get reduced , strength gets lowered , health in general gets affected . In such a case it is more important not to go for more fats and more proteins .

Godfrey profile image
Godfrey

The article is inconclusive and only suggestive.

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak

My father fied at 86 without any disease. At age 83 he fell down and sustained a hairline fracture. However dice it was in the heap ball area he was required to be operated upon. When his blood test done his fbs was 86. A healthy man.

HOBIEONE profile image
HOBIEONE

I have been a T1 Diabetic for more than 50 years & DO know a bit about the subject.

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak

The point is in olden days because of good diet and less luxury people lived with less diseases, especially db.

Vsthak profile image
Vsthak

Yes. Medicines may have side effects requiring other meds. Whereas natural ways risk free and less expensive. However, they should b genuine n well researched.

HOBIEONE profile image
HOBIEONE

Do you know the difference between T1 & T2 ? Carbs do the damage in both types. Low carbs are less harmful unless you run a marathon everty day.

I mostly gain energy from carbs because I do intense exercise. Any person doing vigorous exercise should keep in mind that he almost always need carbs otherwise his stamina starts falling. Getting energy from proteins or fats is backup mechanism and our body uses it when it's needed like when we fast.

youtu.be/nluTQd0FlRM

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Activity2004Administrator

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