Hello Everybody,
In any walking fitness program diet is an important element. There are a great many diets available and some are more useful than others. Recent research is showing that low carbohydrate slimming diets may clog arteries and increase the risk of strokes.
Researchers at the Beth Israel Institute - part of the Harvard Medical School - investigated the effects of a low carbohydrate diet on mice. They fed mice a standard mouse diet, a Western diet high in fat and a low carbohydrate high protein diet.
After 12 weeks the mice eating a low carbohydrate diet had gained less weight, but developed 15 per cent more atherosclerosis than those on a standard mouse diet. The Western diet group gained 9 per cent more atherosclerosis.
This is significant in mice, but we must not be surprised that mice on a low carbohydrate diet did not do well. After all the natural food of mice is high in carbohydrates. So the mice got sick. Well they would, wouldn’t they?
The lead researcher Anthony Rosenzweig said, ‘Our research suggests that, at least in animals, these diets could be having adverse cardiovascular effects. It appears that a moderate and balanced diet, coupled with regular exercise, is probably the best for most people.”
This is a conclusion which is already well known and I hope not too many mice were lost in the process of proving it once again. If we wish to become fit and slim the best way to lose weight is to make a lifestyle choice. It is to eat a diet which is not excessively high in carbohydrates, or sugars, or fats. But we should not ban any of them.
Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health says, ‘For long- term health at least one-third of what we eat should be bread, rice, potatoes, pasta or other starchy food.’
So just eat in moderation and combine it with a daily walking fitness program. I am sure the mice would be delighted.
See you soon,
Peter Stockwell
31 August 2009
Photo Bev Banker
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