LOW CARB 101LOW CARB 101

An introduction to a low carbohydrate An introduction to a low carbohydrate lifestylelifestyle

Jacqueline A. Eberstein, R.N.Jacqueline A. Eberstein, R.N.

Why control carbs?Why control carbs?

As of 2002 66% of adults in the US were As of 2002 66% of adults in the US were overweight or obese.overweight or obese.

As of 2002 32% of children in the US were As of 2002 32% of children in the US were overweight or obese.overweight or obese.

Obesity is a major contributor to Type 2 Obesity is a major contributor to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.diabetes and heart disease.

Other health consequences of Other health consequences of excess body weightexcess body weight

HypertensionHypertension Abnormal lipids- elevated LDL and/ or Abnormal lipids- elevated LDL and/ or

triglycerides, low HDL and small dense LDL triglycerides, low HDL and small dense LDL particlesparticles

StrokeStroke Gallbladder diseaseGallbladder disease OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis Sleep apnea and other respiratory conditionsSleep apnea and other respiratory conditions Cancers including breast, colon and endometrialCancers including breast, colon and endometrial

Health consequencesHealth consequences

GoutGout Kidney stone formationKidney stone formation Fatty liver diseaseFatty liver disease DVT-deep venous thrombosisDVT-deep venous thrombosis PCOSPCOS InfertilityInfertility Increased health risks to Mom and baby during Increased health risks to Mom and baby during

pregnancy and deliverypregnancy and delivery Negative psychological and social effectsNegative psychological and social effects

What has happened?What has happened?

Mid 1970’s major movement to low fat—more Mid 1970’s major movement to low fat—more carbs often of poor quality replaced fat and carbs often of poor quality replaced fat and proteinprotein

Low fat is less satisfyingLow fat is less satisfying Increase in convenience foods-high carb and Increase in convenience foods-high carb and

heavily processedheavily processed Super-sized portionsSuper-sized portions Excessive TV time especially for kidsExcessive TV time especially for kids Less family meals at homeLess family meals at home Child directed advertisingChild directed advertising

US consumption data does US consumption data does not support low fat nutrition not support low fat nutrition

positionposition

“ “ Most of us would have predicted that if we can get Most of us would have predicted that if we can get the population to change its fat intake, with its dense the population to change its fat intake, with its dense calories, we would see a reduction in weight” admits calories, we would see a reduction in weight” admits

Harlan. “ Instead, we see the exact opposite.”Harlan. “ Instead, we see the exact opposite.”

Science MagazineScience Magazine, Harlan j. Onsrud, University of Maine., Harlan j. Onsrud, University of Maine.

Goals for Nutrition ManagementGoals for Nutrition Management

Successfully achieve weight lossSuccessfully achieve weight loss

Sustain weight maintenanceSustain weight maintenance

Promote general healthPromote general health

Address specific diseasesAddress specific diseases

Be nutritionally soundBe nutritionally sound

Atkins Nutritional ApproachAtkins Nutritional Approach The ANA is an easy to follow four phase controlled carb The ANA is an easy to follow four phase controlled carb

program.program. Includes supplements and regular exercise.Includes supplements and regular exercise. Addresses rebalancing the bodies’ hormonal systems.Addresses rebalancing the bodies’ hormonal systems. One can consume more calories and lose more weight One can consume more calories and lose more weight

than on a low calorie diet. This metabolic advantage is than on a low calorie diet. This metabolic advantage is supported by several research studies.supported by several research studies.

Includes satisfying foods that control appetite allowing Includes satisfying foods that control appetite allowing you to find the “right” amount of food without counting you to find the “right” amount of food without counting calories.calories.

Does not require low carb products. Emphasizes whole Does not require low carb products. Emphasizes whole foods.foods.

Can be individualization to meet each persons needs.Can be individualization to meet each persons needs.

How does the ANA work?How does the ANA work? Carbohydrates Carbohydrates andand fat provide fuel for the body. fat provide fuel for the body. When carbs are available they are used for When carbs are available they are used for

energy first.energy first. Any excess carbs and other foods are stored as Any excess carbs and other foods are stored as

fat.fat. When restricting carbs the body burns fat next When restricting carbs the body burns fat next

causing weight loss or weight maintenance.causing weight loss or weight maintenance. Controlling the quality and quantity of carbs Controlling the quality and quantity of carbs

normalizes blood sugar, insulin, other hormones.normalizes blood sugar, insulin, other hormones. Research has shown improvements in CV risk Research has shown improvements in CV risk

factors often better than a low fat diet.factors often better than a low fat diet.

Benefits of controlling carbsBenefits of controlling carbs Weight loss and maintenanceWeight loss and maintenance Improved health indicators-triglycerides, particle size of LDL, Improved health indicators-triglycerides, particle size of LDL,

improved blood sugar and insulin, HDL, A1C, inflammatory markersimproved blood sugar and insulin, HDL, A1C, inflammatory markers Better mood regulationBetter mood regulation Increased alertness and concentrationIncreased alertness and concentration Cope with stress betterCope with stress better Decreased gastrointestinal symptomsDecreased gastrointestinal symptoms Better and more even energy levelsBetter and more even energy levels Appetite control, less need to snacks or preoccupation with foodAppetite control, less need to snacks or preoccupation with food Decreased need for caffeine for energyDecreased need for caffeine for energy Less reliance on prescription medicationsLess reliance on prescription medications Less joint stressLess joint stress Less headachesLess headaches

Atkins Nutritional PrincipalsAtkins Nutritional Principals

Weight lossWeight loss

Weight MaintenanceWeight Maintenance

Good health and well-beingGood health and well-being

Disease preventionDisease prevention