This week, we summarize the top five news articles and studies in the low-carb realm, plus, some additional reads and inspiration.
- One of the world's leading oncologists, Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee of Columbia University Medical Center (and The Emperor of All Maladies fame), set to launch human trial of ketogenic diet therapy as an accompaniment to drug therapy in specific types of cancer treatments. Recent mouse studies demonstrate the efficacy of administering ketogenic diets-which lower insulin levels-while treating some types of cancer.
- Is a calorie really a calorie? Harvard researcher and clinician, Dr. David Ludwig, makes the case for the "Carbohydrate-Insulin Model" and a low-glycemic load diet in JAMA Internal Medicine. Clinical Endocrinology News covers the debate, here.
- Are ketones the "fourth macronutrient" and can a ketone supplements make you run faster? Runner's World reports on the trendy ($99 for three 2.2oz bottles) supplement. Warning: "I liken the flavor to a mixture of raspberry-flavored vodka, cough syrup, and nail polish remover; others have described it as a mix of rubbing alcohol and toilet cleaner with a hint of fruit."
- The Washington Times runs an op-ed entitled "Carbohydrates are Killing Us" by cardiologist Eric Thorn. He writes, "Many doctors, myself included, have seen with our own eyes how low-carb diets help patients lose weight, reverse their diabetes and improve their cholesterol."
- The Guardian reports on a UK government (NHS) push to encourage manufacturers to reformulate breakfast cereals to reduce sugar. What this story is missing is the fact that the main ingredient in almost all cereal is refined starch, which is a huge source of "hidden sugar." According to Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, "most guidelines that urge people to limit sugar say nothing about reducing refined starches, even though studies suggest that both are equally harmful.' It's unfair to single out sugar and not starch," he said. "I would like to see recommendations to limit both sugar and starch. But that's half the calories in the food supply.'" And it's essentially the entire breakfast cereal category.
Want more?
Has America's stockpile of cheese gotten out of control? Are we finally going to see "all natural fruit juice" for what it is: an undesirable source of sugar? Can you keep up with doctors Peter Attia and Ron Krauss's (~2 hr audio) deep dive into heart disease?
A switch from a vegan diet to keto leads to Katie's 60 pound weight loss. "[As a vegan] all I ate was carbs, which made me feel constantly hungry, tired, and grouchy." Grandmother Debra Scott loses 42 pounds and reverses diabetes with low-carb-no meds, no calorie counting, and just a bit of walking. 47-year-old Lori finds keto and loses 115 pounds, while resolving diabetes and high blood pressure. A diet of low-carb, natural foods-no sugar, no starch- helps this young woman lose 100 pounds.
Tune in next week!
About
This news gathering is from our collaborator Jennifer Calihan, who also blogs at Eat the Butter. Feel free to check out the keto meal-idea-generator on her site.
