You Can Lose Weight on a High Carbohydrate Diet

A startling fact is that carbohydrates are not responsible for making people fat. Don't feel too badly though, you are not the only person who was sold on the idea that a high protein, low carb diet was the only way to lose weight.

Here is a simple way to demonstrate this fact. Think about the vegetarians you know, are there any overweight problems among them? The high protein diets rely on a lot of animal fats and proteins, but these vegetarians don't eat them. Startling indeed, isn't it?

Maybe you don't know any vegetarians. They certainly are hard to find, especially in the Midwest, where I live.

You may wonder about the science involved here. After all, many of those folks promoting the low carb diets are well educated, aren't they? Being well educated doesn't mean that you are infallible. Besides, the same science that supports the low carb diet also supports the high carb diet. They didn't get it wrong, they just didn't consider the whole story.

That might sound like a contradiction, but it isn't. I'm going to explain why in just a moment. Fist, let me give you the science on this. You most likely are not a biochemist or a physiologist and neither am I. But I have studied the subjects a bit. Don't focus on the technical jargon in the next paragraph,just try to grasp the overall point. You don't need to be a scientist to use common sense and basic reasoning skills. Ready?

Consider this bit of biochemistry. Malonyl -CoA exists in high amounts when there is plenty of metabolic fuel present. Thus,carnitine acyltransferase is inhibited and this in turn prevents acyl-CoA from crossing into the cell's mitochondria. Another enzyme is inhibited by the presence of NADH and Thiolase is also inhibited by the presence of Acetyl-COA. In short, when a lot of glucose is present, fatty acid metabolism is inhibited.

It is the last sentence that clues us in here. Basically, a cell will not convert fat into energy if there is glucose present. When the cell has carbs and sugar to work on, it will not convert the fat to energy, thus the fat gets stored.

This is why the low carb diets work, with little to zero carbohydrates and subsequently glucose to work on, the fat will be used for energy. This is exactly why the high carb diet works too. When no or little fat is present, it won't be stored as fat.

In addition to this, it is important to realize that it costs the body quite a bit of energy to take carbs and store them as fat. This alone is actually a positive. There really needs to be some form of fat present to make it easier.

This should help you understand that whatever your diet consistsof, if you want to remain or get thin, you need to avoid mixing fats and carbs together. A fat consists of a fatty acid head and a carbohydrate tail. This means when you mix your fat andcarbs together you are asking for trouble, assuming you care about weight, that is.

So now it should be clear why so many people in North America have a weight problem as the NIH was happy to point out a few weeks ago. Think about the typical American diet.It generally consists of lots of combinations of fat and carbs.

As Dr. Neal Barnard points out in his book, "Foods That Cause You To Lose Weight", It is fat that makes people fat.

Don't want to be a vegetarian? I don't blame you. Really, you don't have to be one. Just quit mixing your proteins/fats and carbohydrates together.

Don't overlook the obvious, there is ton of candy and desserts out there that are a mixture of fat and sugar. Meat and potatoes - perhaps this classic is a serious blunder in seperating fats and carbs. Armed with this knowledge,you can probably come up with dozens of examples of potentially fattening mixtures of food on your own.

This article is for information only. It is not intended to prescribe, treat or diagnose any health problem. Consult your physician before changing your diet.

Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com

---

Forget All About That Calorie Counting Crap And Learn How To Lose Some Weight!

That's a pretty "in your face" statement, but really it's... Read More

Weight Loss Information -- Setting Effective Goals

Weight loss information is often confusing and misleading. The more... Read More

South Beach Diets and Fast Food Franchises

Franchised Business Models and American Diets could be at odds.... Read More

Weight Loss During Holidays: What to Do With Leftovers?

If I Want to Lose Weight, What Can I Do... Read More

How To Be A Big Fat Loser In 2005

Now that the temptations of the Holiday season have passed... Read More

Body Wraps & Weight Loss

Body wraps can help tone and tighten the skin, improve... Read More

5 Simple Steps to Start Your Weight Loss Program

Remember there's more to you than meets the eye. You've... Read More

Lose Weight And Get Healthy; Can Laughter Be A Cure For Obesity?

Once there were these two Nuns and they...just kidding! Do... Read More

FAT LOSS: The Truth On Fat Loss And How To Achieve It!

Fat Loss in GeneralThis morning I conducted a search engine... Read More

Theres Still Time for Your New Years Resolution and Lowering Body Mass Index

This year, we all made some of the typical New... Read More

Weight Loss Tips: Get Effective Weight Loss Tips!

Looking for Diet Programs on net is like looking for... Read More

Tips For Cooking Low Carb

If you are committed to the low carb way of... Read More

Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss

Discover secrets to overcome food addictions by releasing negative thoughts... Read More

7 Part Plan To Beating Childhood Obesity

Everyone from politicians to parents is talking about fighting the... Read More

Is the Dr Atkins Diet Safe?

The Dr Atkins Diet has been around for ages, but... Read More

Summer Dieting Tips

Cut the Calories, Bring Out the BikiniSummer's almost here and... Read More

The Big FAT Lie

Over two thirds of Americans are over weight, and half... Read More

7 Ways to Stop Nighttime Snacking in Front of the TV

Stop Being Influenced by Food Ads on TVThere is much... Read More

The Right Diet Pill ? Where Do You Begin?

The right diet pill should be carefully considered when deciding... Read More

7 Useful Tips That Will Help You Lose Weight

1. Increase your fiber intake. The body needs a lot... Read More

Why Diets DONT Work

One of the biggest scams ever successfully pulled on the... Read More

Low Carb Diets: Craze or Crazy?

Low carb diets, though popular, have met with much controversy.... Read More

Pediatric Obesity: A Look at the Epidemic

Obesity in America is at an epidemic level. It is... Read More

Dieters : Questions You Must Ask Yourself when You Want to Lose Weight

Now I know you're always asking yourself questions.You know the... Read More

LapBand Surgery: The Rules of the Road, Part 2

The Constant Quest for Restriction; Not enough vs. too muchRestriction.... Read More

Fat Burners: The Shocking Truth

Fat Burners refer to the hundreds of products on the... Read More

Glucagon and Aging - Breakfast How Not To Start The Day Part III

A question from one of our readers:Dr. Mericle,With respect to... Read More

How to Spot False Weight Loss And Diet Advertising Claims

Flip through a magazine, scan a newspaper, or channel surf... Read More

What Makes Your Blood Cholesterol High or Low

Your blood cholesterol level is affected not only by what... Read More

20 Ways to Lose Weight

20 WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT1. Take it one step at... Read More

How To Get Over A Weight Loss Plateau

Everyone who has ever tried to lose weight has hit... Read More

A Look at Bariatric Surgery Patients

Individuals who are interested in bariatric surgery need to be... Read More

Who Said Low Carb Diets Ever Meant No-Carb?

A little information if often a dangerous thing... and many... Read More