Studies Show that a Low Carb Diet Increases Risk of Cancer & Premature Death

A study of more than 24,800 adults in the US found that those who limited their carb intake had a 32% higher risk of death from any cause than people who ate high-carb diets. The study was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2018.

Study author Professor Maciej Banach, of the Medical University of Lodz, Poland, said: "We found that people who consumed a low carbohydrate diet were at greater risk of premature death. Risks were also increased for individual causes of death including coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer. These diets should be avoided."

The researchers separated participants into four groups, from lowest- to highest-carb diets. They found that Americans in the bottom 25% of the pack, who ate barely any carbs, had a 32% higher risk of death from any cause than those who had the highest carb intakes.

They also found that low-carb dieters had a 51% increased risk of dying from coronary heart disease and a 35% increased risk of dying from cancer relative to people in the top 25% of carb eaters.

Proponents of Low-carbohydrate diets claim that in order to lose weight, a person should severely lower his carbohydrate intake so that the body goes into a ketogenic state. That's when the body feeds off of body fat for energy.

However, researchers discovered that people on low-carb diets do not really lose actual body fat, instead they lose muscle glycogen which quickly leads to muscle loss (this also happens to people on low-calorie diets). (The body stores carbohydrate, mostly in your liver and muscles, in the form of glycogen.) Low Carb Dieters also lose water weight since glycogen carries a lot of water. For this reason, people look slimmer quickly when going on low-carb diets.

The problem with the theory that people must enter the ketogenic state to lose weight, is that fat burns much more slowly that carbohydrate. The way it works is that being in the ketogenic fat burning mode promotes a slow and sluggish metabolism, for this reason people usually gain the weight right back when then stop the diet and in fact suffer from slow metabolism for months or years to come, making weight loss even harder in the long term. Additionally, if you’re on a strict low carbohydrate diet, you wont have the stamina to sustain weight training or any strenuous physical activity. But these activities add lean muscle to your body and boost your metabolism!

The theory behind the low carb diet simply makes no sense and even more concerning is that is can lead to muscle weakness, brittle bones, depression, mental deterioration, kidney disease, fatigue, severe digestive distress, and reduce immunity (susceptabilty to disease) if adhered to for long periods.

THE DANGER OF EATING ANIMAL PROTEIN

Also concerning is the high amounts of animal protein and dairy consumed by low carb dieters. Over-consumption of animal protein including red meat, chicken and fish severely taxes the kidneys, the heart, and the digestive system. The liver can break down some of the protein, but the body has to store the rest of the protein somewhere. The excess protein is converted into collagen fiber built into the basal membranes of the capillary walls. Collagen is 100% pure protein. This results in a thickening of the blood capillary walls. "If overconsumption of protein continues, the body begins to store the excessive protein in the walls of the arteries” from Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation by Andreas Moritz. When the main coronary arteries begin to thicken, a heart attack can occur.

High Protein Diets and Diabetes

The human body requires insulin to promote protein synthesis. In other words, to convert amino acids from a protein meal into usable protein, the pancreas has to secrete insulin. Eating a normal size steak forces the pancreas to secrete more insulin than consuming 12 times the amount of sugar in a can of soda! For this reason, overconsumption of meat products can lead to insulin resistance and diabetes.

THE UGLY TRUTH: THE OXFORD STUDY

The Oxford Vegetarian study followed 11,000 volunteers for a period of 15 years. The researchers found that "Meat eaters are twice as likely to die from heart disease, have a 60% greater risk of dying from cancer, and a 30% higher risk of dying from other causes"

"If increasing one's risk for heart attack and cancer isn't enough of an argument against high-protein diets, the science is conclusive that they also cause kidney damage, kidney stones, and gout." Eat to Live Dr. Joel Fuhrman.

Our bodies are designed to run on carbs. The brain needs carbs to function properly. Many people who are deprived of carbs quickly become depressed and stressed. Anxiety attacks are quite common.

Obviously, the consumption of Refined Carbohydrates such as white flour, white pasta, most gluten free flours, potato flour, rice flour, potato starch, cookies, cakes, soft drinks, and sugar is not healthy and will contribute to high blood sugar levels and weight gain. Even most store bought whole wheat bread is mostly white flour with a little bran and cellulose thrown in for color and fiber. Commercial flour is loaded with bromates, Azodicarbonamide, and Nitrogin Dioxide which are cancer causing bleaching and rising agents. However, consumption of complex carbohydrates in the form of whole grains such as freshly ground stone ground bread, raw and cooked vegetables, leafy greens, fruits, nuts, seeds, and beans are suitable to meet the body's nutrient requirements, will promote healthy blood sugar levels, and combined with sleep and exercise, will result in healthy weight loss.

A study of 4000 men and women from 4 different countries ages cleary showed that the thinnest people in the world are the ones that eat the most complex carbohydrates. Study leader, Linda Van Horn, of Northwestern Univeristy said: "Without exception a high complex carbohydrate, high fiber, high-vegetable protein diet is associated with a low body mass index." "High protein diets were associated with higher body weight."

How to Lose Weight and Stay Healthy

The most effective healthy long term strategy for weight loss is not counting calories or carbohydrates. To lose weight and keep it off without the health risks, focus on consuming foods that are high in natural (not added or synthetic) fiber and nutrients such as whole grains the best of which is freshly ground stone ground bread, raw and cooked vegetables, leafy greens, fruits, and beans. These foods have a high nutrient to calorie ratio and will ensure the maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels and reduced weight gain. Obviously, its not wise to overeat, but if bread is prepared and consumed the right way, it is built to sustain health and longevity. Bread was a staple food for thousands of years.

At Joseph's Organic Bakery we make bread the way it was made for thousands of years. We STONE GRIND our grain daily and bake within a few hours for optimal NUTRIENT content. The stone ground process is a slow low heat which preserves the nutrients in the grain. Most sourdough bread is made primarily with gmo white flour, hence the white center and the high rise typical of genetically modified grains. Some are colored with molasses to give that wholegrain look. At Josephs Organic Bakery, we make our bread with 100% wholegrain kamut flour that we grind ourselves. Then we let it rise. We never use refined or commercial flour. Kamut is an ancient grain that was not genetically modified like modern wheat. It is anti-inflammatory grain that also helps with blood sugar management. Eating bread in the morning (about 3-4 hours after sunrise) with salt and water is recommended in the Talmud. Its called Pat Shacharit, which has 83 health benefits. Click here to Learn more.

Its important to remember not to eat at night (after 7). Late night eating weakens digestion and causes weight gain.

Carbs should be consumed for breafast and lunch in combination with salads, leafy greens, and cooked and raw vegetables.

Discover the healthiest, most nutrient dense bread in the world at Joseph's Organic Bakery. Its high in natural fiber & packed with nutrients. Its the only sourdough bread in the world that is made with kamut grain, stone ground fresh, and completely 100% wholegrain. Check out our menu by clicking this link

Study Sources: August 28, 2018 European Society of Cardiology

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180828085922.htm#:~:text=Low%20carbohydrate%20diets%20are%20unsafe%20and%20should%20be%20avoided%2C%20according,greater%20risk%20of%20premature%20death.