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Sitting on The Low Carb Fence:A Low Carbohydrate Diet and The Right Genes Can Increase Your Health Risks

No matter how much we try, no matter what we do, there are some things we cannot change. Our genetics is one of those things.
While experts argue about why you should or should not follow a low carbohydrate diet, you may be interested in learning about research that dates back over 15 years ago. It provides insight into the individual response to either a low or high carbohydrate diet based on genetics.
You cannot argue with the role that genetics play in most aspects of your life and certainly diet is no exception. So, this topic is something you need to know. And, it may be a good thing to share with your healthcare provider.
Interestingly, a low fat diet consisting of 24% fat was found to increase heart disease risk because of its affect on bad cholesterol (LDL size and buoyancy) in individuals with certain genetics. The researchers concluded that “Genetic and environmental factors influencing LDL may contribute substantially to inter-individual variation in lipoprotein response to a low-fat diet.” Diabetes and metabolic syndrome have also been associated with metabolic phenotypes.
Nutritional genomics and the metabolic impact of how macronutrients (fat and carbohydrates) are handled differently in the body with various levels of macronutrient consumption, personal food preferences and lifestyles and a greater capacity to contribute to the successful treatment of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome are plausible reasons for registered dietitians to consider evolving low carbohydrate diets like “The Stubborn Fat Fix” as an option in providing medical nutrition therapy.

About the author

Valerie Goldstein

Valerie raises the bar for health and nutrition know how with unconventional expertise and unconditional support for wellness.