Diets

How to Decide if Low Carb Dieting is Right for You

If everyone had exactly the same body chemistry and body type it would be a simple matter to lose weight the same way, like with a cookie cutter identical diet plan for everyone. However, life is far more complex. Every diet is not the same for every person. Some are not beneficial for some people. Existing health problems, food allergies and other conditions are all factors that contribute to which diets work and which to avoid for different people.

This is true for low carb diets also. There are many versions of low carb diet plans available. They all have one common trait – reduce your carbohydrate intake.

Low Carb Dieting

How can you tell if it is safe for you to take a low carb approach to dieting? Discussing your options with your physician is a good beginning. Assess your current health and history and then your doctor can be in a better position to assess your direction about whether low carb dieting is a sensible plan for you.

What information helps with this assessment? Pay attention to your LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, blood pressure, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. All of these measurements of your physiology are vital to understanding your metabolism. Why? People metabolize carbohydrates in different ways. Some carbs are beneficial but others are harmful.

Gather family health history about your parents, siblings and close relatives. Diseases and surgery and chronic illnesses should be recorded. Then collect further information about your extended family like uncles, grandparents, aunts. The more thorough your family history is the better your doctor can help you decide if a low carb diet is safe for you. Make a copy of all of this information for your records. You may need it again for something else.

Pay attention to diabetes. It affects more than 15 million Americans. If you have diabetes, a low carb diet could be dangerous for you. Always consult with a healthcare professional before engaging in a diet or exercise program.

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