Results – A one tenth decrease in carbohydrate intake or increase in protein intake or a 2 unit increase in the low carbohydrate-high protein score were all statistically significantly associated with increasing incidence of cardiovascular disease overall (n=1270)—incidence rate ratio estimates 1.04 (95% confidence interval 1.00 to 1.08), 1.04 (1.02 to 1.06), and 1.05 (1.02 to 1.08). No heterogeneity existed in the association of any of these scores with the five studied cardiovascular outcomes: ischaemic heart disease (n=703), ischaemic stroke (n=294), haemorrhagic stroke (n=70), subarachnoid haemorrhage (n=121), and peripheral arterial disease (n=82).
Conclusions – Low carbohydrate-high protein diets, used on a regular basis and without consideration of the nature of carbohydrates or the source of proteins, are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Low-carbohydrate diets and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: Two cohort Studies
A low-carbohydrate diet based on animal sources was associated with higher all-cause mortality in both men and women, whereas a vegetable-based low-carbohydrate diet was associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality rates.
Source: Low-carbohydrate diets and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: Two cohort Studies
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition – Low-carbohydrate-high-protein diet and long-term survival in a general population cohort
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition is a high quality, peer-reviewed journal that covers all aspects of human nutrition.
Conclusion:
Prolonged consumption of diets low in carbohydrates and high in protein is associated with an increase in total mortality.
What About Just a Little Meat?
Followed over time, vegetarian diets were associated with a substantially lower incidence of diabetes, indicating the potential of these diets to stem the current diabetes epidemic.
We see the same step-wise drop in rates of another leading killer, high blood pressure. The greater the proportion of plant foods, the lower the rates of hypertension, and the same with excess body fat. The only dietary group not on average overweight were those eating diets composed exclusively of plant foods, but again there was the same incremental drop with fewer and fewer animal products. This suggests that it’s not black and white, not all or nothing, any steps we can make along this spectrum of eating healthier may accrue significant benefits.
Source: What About Eating Just a Little Meat? | NutritionFacts.org
Source: PLOS ONE: Taiwanese Vegetarians and Omnivores: Dietary Composition, Prevalence of Diabetes and IFG
Source: Millennials and A Plant-Based Diet. Better Food, Better Choices.
Each and every meal is a choice. Make good choices. In my 20’s I pursued a vegetarian lifestyle for about two years. Towards the end of that period I was eschewing dairy and eggs. Then I stopped my veggie ways. The reason? I missed pizza. The lessons learned however were not lost. I thoroughly enjoy meatless meals now but if I want a piece of dead cow, I’ll eat dead cow.
Try not to get caught up in right vs. wrong. Use your common sense. Do not become the woman who fed her 11 month old nuts and fruit. Just nuts and fruit!
Make wise, informed choices. Understand as I have your need for calories decrease with age. You have to eat less the older you are. Strive towards more plant based meals and you’ll be OK. Just don’t get too fruity or nutty about it all.
Our Diets are Making us Sicker
The good news: fewer hungry people around the world. The bad news: Increased consumption of processed foods is pushing up global rates of overweight and obesity.
Source: Across The Globe, Our Diets Are Making Us Sicker, Report Finds : The Salt : NPR
So fast food and sugary soda makes you fat? Seriously?
At my personal peak of adiposity I tipped the scale at 370 pounds. Over the years I’ve done the classic weight loss and gain yo-yo from a low of 163 after my initial weight loss to a current weight of 195. I taught myself how to lose weight and the diet strategies to keep the weight off.
I should write a book.
Your Healthy Lifestyle Won’t Necessarily Make You Healthier
Public health researchers are beginning to see that changes in how you live are no guarantee of changes in your health.
Source: Your Healthy Lifestyle Won’t Necessarily Make You Healthier | WIRED
Understand there are limits. Kale, quinoa, and the latest antioxidant, anti-aging diet, exercise routine, hot sweaty yoga, mindfulness meditation, whatever only helps your health. There is no perfect diet. There is no perfect exercise regimen. There is no magic bullet.
