Low-Fat vs. Low-Carb? The Debate is SETTLED
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 27, 2017
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
The debate has been settled for ages… but, believe it or not, I still get this question all the time.
Which diet is better: low-fat or low-carb?
What this question really shows is how powerful government diet advice can be.
Even when it’s wrong, it can last forever.
Millions of Americans were told for years that a low-fat diet was the key to good health – and many still believe it.
But the science behind the low-fat movement has always been a sham.
And switching your diet from low-fat to low-carb could literally be a matter of life and death.
The low-fat nonsense started in the early 1950s when Ancel Keys, a physiologist from the University of Minnesota, decided that cholesterol was killing Americans.
And he started a campaign to get us to stop eating it.
He even muscled his way onto the board of the American Heart Association and helped to kick off other members who wouldn’t believe in his still unsupported theory.
Keys’ study, called the “7 Country Study,” supposedly proved that cholesterol was the cause of heart disease.
One problem, though… the “7 Country Study” was actually a “22 Country Study.” Keys simply removed the countries that didn’t show any relationship between cholesterol and heart disease.
The rest is history. The low-fat craze started in the late 1970s – where fat was taken out of products and low-fat foods popped up everywhere.
But here is the problem: When you are making something and you remove the fat – what goes in its place?
Sugar. And sugar is what increases our waistlines and destroys our brains and hearts.
Let’s take a look at what has happened since America went low-fat:
- Obesity has exploded (now over 2/3 of Americans are considered overweight).
- Heart disease didn’t decrease when we stopped eating fat… it went up.
- Almost 10 percent of Americans have diabetes.
- Cases of Alzheimer’s disease are skyrocketing.
Studies on the types of foods we eat, have this to say:
- A high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet consistently increases weight.
- Vegetable oils (which replaced fats like butter and lard) increase heart disease.
- Heart disease also increases when people use margarine.
- Reducing meat consumption also increases weight.
Here is the kicker: Very large studies have shown that the countries that eat the most saturated fat have the lowest risk of heart disease.
So, which is better: Low-fat or low-carb?
The clear winner is low-carb.
Carbohydrates increase inflammation in the body and increase blood sugar.
You can take steps towards being healthier by finding ways to cut carbohydrates (sugars, grains, starchy vegetables) out of your diet as much as you can.
And don’t be afraid of fat… or cholesterol.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Losing Your Locks? The SURPRISING Solution
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Losing your hair sucks. The hit to your self-esteem is no joke. You might even find yourself avoiding mirrors and hoarding hats. The treatment options are limited, often come with a laundry list of side effects, and deliver results that are about as predictable as a coin flip. It’s...
REAL Drug-Free Back Pain Relief
Recently, I’ve had several exasperated people ask me, “Is back pain something I just have to live with?” I battled chronic back pain for years, so I completely understand why some folks feel so hopeless about finding relief. In fact, I used to think I was doomed to a life of pain and limitations, too....
Mailbag: When to Worry About Memory Lapses
“I’ve been experiencing some memory lapses recently, and I’m worried it might be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. My mother also had it. What symptoms should I look out for?” – Ann Hi Ann, It’s important to recognize that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of life. Our brains constantly process and...
The Unforeseen Link Between Your Gut and Your Waistline
As the weather warms up and summer approaches, many of us start thinking about shedding those extra pounds… We dust off our gym memberships, stock up on salad greens, and vow to finally fit into those shorts from last year. But what if I told you that the key to achieving a healthy weight might...
Defy Aging with the Sunshine Vitamin
If there’s one thing you absolutely must do for your health, it’s to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. I can’t stress this enough. And if you think vitamin D is only good for beefing up your bones, think again. Because while vitamin D is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, recent research has revealed that this...
Detox Your Drinking Water with a Microplastics Purge
We’re surrounded by plastics. They’re everywhere, from the obvious plastic shampoo bottle to the not-so-obvious clothing on our backs. From the moment we get up in the morning until we slide beneath the sheets at night, we are in contact with them. Heck, some bedsheets contain plastic fibers, so you may ALSO be exposed while...
The TRUTH About Word Finding Troubles
Picture this. You’re having a lively conversation with a friend, and suddenly, find yourself grasping for a word that’s just out of reach. You KNOW it’s in there somewhere, hiding in the recesses of your mind. But no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to pin it down. When you have trouble word...
FDA Finally Admits “BANNED” Soda Ingredient is Unsafe
I’m not a soda fan for MANY reasons. I wrote an entire book on the dangers of sugar, for example. And research links soda drinking to fatty liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s. And the diet stuff is no better. Fake-sugar-filled diet sodas cause “metabolic confusion,” and artificial sweeteners are...
Discover WHY We Accidentally Overeat (and How to Stop)
Picture this… You finish eating a nice meal feeling just fine. But then, 20 minutes later, you’re groaning and clutching your belly because you feel uncomfortably stuffed. If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. Most of us have had this happen. Science reveals why accidental overeating occurs… and what we can do to avoid...
Find Exercise Exhausting and Painful? Try THIS Natural Fix
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: “You need to exercise.” And sure, you know how vital it is to healthy aging. But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels nearly impossible to get moving—especially when you know you’ll be sore for DAYS after. However, hold on to your seat because I’ve...