Carbs In Your Diet | Quality VS Quantity
Posted by Dr. Della Parker on June 15, 2017
Carbohydrates are an important nutrient you body needs, but just like anything, too much can be a bad thing too. Many diets work around carbohydrates, and they each have a different take on carbs. Some try to curb the intake and other’s instead focus on avoiding fats at all costs.
Either way, it is important to remember that the quality often outweighs quantity. Here are some of the basics to remember.
- Macronutrient composition is important, but the quality of those macronutrients and the context they are found in are likely far more important. Our ancestors ranged from an intake of as little as 8 percent of calories from carbohydrate to as high as 70 percent calories from carbohydrate with few health problems. Only when they introduce refined Western foods do they develop metabolic disease.
- Low-carb diets are somewhat effective at achieving weight loss because they tend to reduce acellular carbohydrates, but if an individual is still eating enough to produce an inflammatory microbiota, he or she may stall in weight loss.
- Even small amounts of sugar or refined grains could lead to inflammatory microbiota and leptin resistance. Ancestral peoples’ health tends to be very sensitive to even small influences of Western foods (23, 24). This means that the popularized 80-20 rule may not work for many people if that 20 percent is carbohydrate-dense enough to cause dysbiosis.
- Eat real food. Focus on fresh, whole foods that are minimally processed and have their carbohydrates encased in cellular compartments. These foods will not only have a lower carbohydrate density but will also likely be accompanied by a wide variety of micronutrients.
Dr. Della treats all types of conditions but has a special interest in digestive problems, chronic fatigue, and thyroid dysfunction. Call 503.344.6631 to schedule an appointment or to become a patient, follow the link to our New Patient Application here .
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