Low Carb Lifestyle Health Benefits
Exploring The Multiple Health Benefits Of The Low Carb Lifestyle
Eating low carb is not a new trend by any stretch of the imagination. For many decades, the health benefits of low carb living have been realized by countless people all over the world, and these benefits extend far beyond weight loss and weight control. We’re here to review some of the most notable health benefits of reducing the amount of carbs in what we eat, and the impacts this positive shift can have on our overall well-being.
A low carb approach to nutrition has always been a great way to improve general health, but it really gained a lot of attention in the early 1970’s when cardiologist Dr. Robert Atkins developed and published his structured diet plan built around reducing carbs and focusing more attention on proteins, healthy fats, and essential nutrients. By the early 2000’s, the low carb lifestyle had grown into a massively popular approach to eating and nutrition thanks to the dramatic effects it can have.
There are many variations of the low carb lifestyle that exist, such as the Atkins Diet, the Dukan Diet, the ketogenic diet, and the paleolithic diet, among others. However, the base tenets of low carb are similar across all of them. Reduce carbs across the board in the foods we eat, increase the ratio of protein and healthy fats in our diets, and place a strong emphasis on ensuring we get all the essential nutrients, minerals, and vitamins our bodies need to function at peak efficiency. When paired with regular physical exercise and proper hydration, low carb nutrition plans have transformed the lives of many people for the better, but not just in terms of weight loss and weight control. Now, before we get into more specifics on what these benefits can be, we feel it’s our responsibility to mention one very important thing…
Always Consult Your Doctor Prior To Any Significant Dietary Lifestyle Change
As with any major lifestyle change that has an effect on our state of health, making the decision to live low carb is a big one. Because of this, it’s absolutely essential to have a frank and open discussion with your family doctor on your desire to move ahead with low carb eating. For most people, you’ll likely get a big thumbs up from your doctor, however there are some instances where underlying health conditions may play a role in whether or not low carb is the best fit for a particular individual, or if there are some other considerations that need to be factored in to your approach. No matter what, you really should talk to your doctor before you begin your low carb journey.
With that question answered by your doctor, and the green light has been given to forge ahead, here are some of the most notable health effects that people living the low carb way are known to achieve along the way to better overall health.
What Are The Main Health Benefits Of The Low Carb Lifestyle?
Weight Loss and Weight Control
It should come as no surprise that the most common benefit of the low carb diet is also the most popular reason people choose to adopt it. Lowering carb intake can result in weight reduction in a shorter time frame than simply reducing total calorie intake. This is generally due to a combination of factors, including how eating more protein and fats instead of carbs works to reduce hunger for longer periods of time, and how low carb eating also works to shed excess water weight that is not needed by the body. Weight loss on the low carb diet can also be accelerated by also increasing the frequency of daily physical activity, which also works to boost metabolism and burn stored body fat instead of carbohydrates.
Maintaining a low carb lifestyle also helps level out weight fluctuations that are common when carb intake increases. This steady approach to nutrition helps to counteract one of the biggest frustrations of people looking to lose weight and keep it off, which is the ‘yo-yo’ effect where weight gets lost and then regained on a frequent or recurring basis.
Reducing The Risks Of Heart Disease
Keeping our heart and circulatory system strong and healthy is essential, but eating lots of foods that are high in carbs can have detrimental impacts to our cardiovascular health. While weight loss itself is definitely beneficial to heart health, low carb diets have also been shown to reduce the level of fat molecules in the bloodstream known as triglycerides. Triglycerides in the blood are known to be a factor that contributes to higher risk of heart disease. Going low carb can lower the risks of developing heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.
Balance Out Blood Sugar & Advantages For Diabetics
Typical diets that are high in carbohydrates tend to cause large fluctuations in blood sugar throughout the day. Blood sugar spikes right after eating a high-carb meal and then drops later, which is a major concern for people with diabetes and other health conditions that can be exacerbated by fluctuating blood sugar. Eating low carb helps to improve the stability of blood sugar and makes it easier for our bodies to more effectively regulate blood sugar and insulin levels naturally.
Help Control Blood Pressure & Hypertension
Carb reductions also help to aid in the extraction of excess sodium from the blood, working to control and stabilize blood pressure. High blood pressure and hypertension are serious conditions that can lead to other health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and even kidney failure. Limiting carb intake helps to lower blood pressure and works as one of the measures that can be taken to keep hypertension in check.
Reduction in Acne Severity
Many people are not aware that cutting back on carbs can also help to alleviate the severity and frequency of acne breakouts. Studies have shown that controlling the glycemic index in the blood more effectively helps to moderate growth hormones such as IGF-1, a variant of insulin in our bodies. Low carb diets can lessen the rate and intensity of acne flareups, making this kind of skin condition easier to deal with on a daily basis.
Less Likely To Experience IBS and Other Abdominal Discomfort
The overall benefits of a low carb lifestyle also extend to gut health, working to aid in digestion and alleviate some conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Reductions in abdominal gas production, relief from cramping, and lower risk of bowel irritation are common for low carb eaters. Many people also notice a distinct reduction in bloating and water retention after changing to a diet that is lower in carbohydrates.
What Do Our Customers Have To Say About Living A Low Carb Lifestyle?
All these benefits are known to be achievable through lowering carbohydrate intake and maintaining a better state of nutrition, which certainly makes it an appealing dietary choice for many people. To illustrate this even further, we thought it would be interesting to share some comments from other real-world low carbers who have experienced the advantages for themselves. Here’s what some of our customers have to say about their low carb lives…
“One year and losing over 75 pounds later, I’m still going strong and feel incredible! I don’t get sore, I have more energy, and I found it’s so much easier to live life without my weight holding me back. I feel as though that positive energy radiates from me, and my personality finally shines through.” – Read Kayla’s full story here.
“It has now been 9 months since I started this journey, and I am now 150 pounds. My success includes being able to stop taking Metformin twice a day for my diabetes. Even without the medication, I managed to keep my blood glucose average at 4.7 everyday just by keeping my carbs under control.” – Read Nicol’s full story here.
“I’ve only been at it for 3 months but it feels like I’ve gained back a lifetime. I feel beautiful again, and that bathing suit keeps looking better and better. Being active and eating well are the best gifts you can give yourself. I achieve new goals every day and pretty soon I’m going to run out of them! All it takes is the right push, and enough self-motivation to keep going.” – Read Megan’s full story here.
Set Your Own Goals & Get Started Down The Road To Better Health
As you can see, there are a wide variety of reasons why the low carb lifestyle is so popular in helping people meet their personal goals for better overall health, weight loss, blood sugar control, and more. If you’ve been on the fence about making the change to a low carb life, we hope this information has inspired you to take the next step and move forward. Talk to your doctor today, set some personal goals for yourself, and get started on the right foot.
We firmly believe that you’ll find the low carb way to better health and well-being an easy and delicious journey to embark upon. And we’ll be here with all the best low carb foods and nutritious products you need to eat well, keep carbs in check, and feel the benefits for yourself.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to replace personalized medical advice. A low carb diet may not be suitable for you. Consult your health care provider before making any changes to your lifestyle or use this information at your own risk.
