Hawaii's support for a high protein/low carbohydrate diet.
Is it a weight loss program?
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 Burn Baby Burn
Simply put, the high protein/low carbohydrate (HPLC) diet can be an effective strategy to lose excess body fat. Whether following Atkins, Power Protein, Sugar Busters, or the Zone, the proponents of HPLC all have one thing in common: the key to effective weight loss is the control of insulin.

All carbohydrates breakdown into sugar. This stimulates the production of insulin to transport the sugar into the cells. Normally, the body produces just enough insulin to complete the process. However, due to age or an excess carbohydrate diet, the body may produce an excess of insulin. The excess stimulates the sugars to be stored directly as body fat.

Want Some Butter on Your Ketosis?
On the other hand, the body produces glucagon when the diet is rich in proteins and fats. Glucagon stimulates the use of stored body fat as energy, and shifts the metabolic mechanisms from a storing mode to a burning mode. This is referred to as ketosis.

By utilizing a HPLC diet, the body shifts into ketosis, and begins to burn body fat as a source of fuel. Atkins calls ketosis as "one of life's charmed gifts." Once initiated on an HPLC diet, the body will begin to build lean muscle, and reduce excess body fat.

Additionally, by taming one's blood sugar, a low-glycemic diet seems to curb hunger (Consumer Reports, June 2002, pg. 28).

Cinderella Knows a Good Fit
As most of know, it easy to start a diet, but difficult to maintain it. Most diets fail within the first year. The key to a successful diet is finding one that fits your life style. Whether it is counting calories in a traditional diet, or counting carbs in a HPLC diet, the commitment is the most important thing.

Gary Foster, Ph.D. and collaborators at the University of Colorado Health Science Center and at Washington University School of Medicine conducted a study on 42 overweight individuals. Half were sent home to follow the Atkins program (eat as much protein and fat as they wanted including steak, eggs, butter, cheese, etc.), the other half followed a traditional low-fat, low calorie diet. After 12 weeks, 7 of the original 21 on the traditional low-fat, low calorie diet dropped out. Only 2 on the Atkins diet dropped out. The Atkins group lost an average of 19 pounds, compared to 7.5 pounds in the other group (Consumer Reports, June 2002, pg 30).

Find the Shoe that Fits You
So, if an HPLC diet is a strategy you feel will fit your life style in the long run, gather as much information on a particular diet (Atkins, Protein Power, Carbohydrate Addict, etc.) and create a plan you can follow, including exercise and supplements (such as vitamins). Consult your physician. Having a complete medical profile before embarking on any diet will help guide you in the right direction. Without a good profile to start with, you will be flying blind.

NoCarbZone provides this web site as a free informational resource and NOT as medical advice. We recommend consulting your physician before starting any diet or exercise program.

Copyright © 2002 NoCarbZone.com LLC.
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