The World Health Organization estimates that over 400 million people worldwide have diabetes with an estimate of 825 billion spent each year on treatments globally. Yet, the low carb therapeutic diet which is a simple, low-cost diet has proven to control, reduce dependency on medications, and in some cases reverse the disease.

The low-carb diet works by restricting the type and amount of carbohydrates consumed. Thus, one would restrict common sources of carbohydrates such as ugali, rice, chapati, fruits, some legumes, just to mention a few.

Carbohydrates can be simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates are found in food such as refined sugar like table sugar, fructose, and syrups. Complex carbohydrates are found in food such as bread, rice, pasta, chapatti to mention a few.

During digestion, complex carbohydrates such as starch are broken down into simple sugars. They are then absorbed into the bloodstream to form glucose or blood sugar. Some glucose is used for energy by the body. On the other hand, natural complex carbohydrates are digested at a slow pace and have less effect on blood sugar.

The rising level of blood sugar causes the body to produce insulin that helps glucose enter body cells. The extra glucose is stored in the muscles or cells as fat for later use. Some of the glucose is used as energy which helps in carrying out daily activities. The extra glucose is stored as fat.

Thus, the concept that decreasing carbohydrates in the diet leads to lower insulin levels is what birthed the low-carb diet. The diet causes the body to burn stored fat for energy which in turn leads to weight loss or even diabetes reversal due to reduced insulin levels.

The general population not on the low-carb diet consumes 225 to 325 grams of carbohydrates a day which provides 900 to 1,300 calories. However, for the low-carb diet, the recommended daily allowance of carbohydrates lies between 20 to 100 grams of carbohydrates. This in turn provides 80 to 240 calories each day.

Sources of the low-carb diet include proteins from meat, fish, eggs, poultry, and non-starchy vegetables. It eliminates grains, sweets, legumes, and starches like bread, potatoes, chapati, and pasta. However, some low-carb diets allow small amounts of fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

Some down sides to the low-carb diet

They include experiencing headaches, bad breath, weakness, skin rash, digestive issues, and muscle cramps if one drastically cuts their carbohydrates in their diet. Thus, it is important to seek medical advice in order to venture into the low-carb diet.

To find a specialist in the low-carb diet for further information, feel free to contact one of our doctors here at Afyaplant.