Non-weightloss benefits of a low carb diet

[Chris]

I posted the following on one of our daughter boards a few days ago. I'm copying it here, because I think it's a perfect example of what removing refined carbs from our diet can do for us. The replies that I had to it were amazing, in just how much our health can be improved by diet.

I'd love to hear from those of you who've also discovered many other benefits from this WOE.

In preparation for some upcoming surgery, last Thursday I had a four hour appointment with my new primary care physician for a complete physical -- and I do mean complete!

When he learned that I used to weigh 213 pounds, he was quite interested in how I had lost the weight. I explained to him that I'd been doing Atkins. Far from telling me that it was bad, he wanted to know more. He asked if I'd noticed any other health benefits from being on the program. So, I listed them for him.

1. I have more energy -- far more! -- than I've had since I was in my thirties. Sometimes, I just have to get up and move, because I don't know what to do with all that energy. My house stays sparkling clean, but back when I was a 213 pound couch potato, the apartment I lived in then usually looked like a pig sty!

2. I've had nearly daily headaches, and debilitating migraines as often as twice weekly, since I was six years old. These have TOTALLY disappeared from my life, to the extent that I hardly remember what a headache felt like. I used to use up ALL of my sick leave because of the headaches, and then have to go into my vacation time, as well. Before I went to my folks for Christmas, I had maxed out my earnings for both vacation and sick leave. (I used up three weeks for the trip to NC, and I'll have no problem fully covering the four to five weeks I expect to be out of work with my surgery.) Let me tell you, my employer is certainly glad that I found Atkins!

3. Also since I was a child, I've had a skin rash called dishydrosis. Basically, it's an inflammation of the sweat glands. As a child, it was bad on my hands (some kids at school refused to play with me because of it) and, as an adult, really bad on my feet. Sometimes it was so severe I couldn't wear regular shoes, and had to go to work in house slippers. The only thing that would clear it up was steroids, but you can't stay on them permanently. The dishydrosis, too, has totally disappeared since I began Atkins.

4. My previously high cholesterol is now in the low-normal range. Triglycerides are perfect!

5. I used to have constant heartburn and acid reflux. I took I don't know how many antacid tablets per day. I don't believe I've needed even one since I started low-carbing it.

The doctor was quite impressed. He even commented that, other than my current problem with my colon (which, I suspect, came about because of a lifetime of eating sugary foods) I was probably healthier than he -- and he was seven years younger! He said, "what you're doing seems to really be working. Keep it up!"

So, what other health benefits have you other members of LCBB found?

[ladyinred]

My emotions are on an even keel. My hormones have decided that I'm older than I actually am so I am going through lots of changes. I find that I am happier, I can think more clearly and I don't have many mood swings. I get crabby when I eat too many carbs.

I'm less tired. I guess that counts as more energy, but I don't get the 3:00 p.m. slump anymore. I'm raring to go all day with no need for a nap.

I don't think about food all the time. I would obsess about the next meal as I was eating the current meal. I'm free from that and can think about food in a practical way, rather than an emotional way.

[Carrieh]

Chris -- First off, congratulations on your success and all of the great benefits you have received from being on Atkin's. My doctor was against me going on it and I would love to one day be able to show her something even close to the wonderful results that you have had.


ladyinred -- It's amazing, but you have described exactly the changes that I have had. Although I have been "on program" for less than two week so far, I no longer feel out of control when it comes to food (which had been my sole focus before.) Quite frankly, before I started this program I feared that I would never be able to stop my compulsive eating. Also, I am much more even-tempered (no more of those wild mood swings I was known for), and have more energy than I have had in months (if not years.)

[ttdriver]

Great thread, Chris!! Congrats on being super healthy!!

For me, I no longer suffer from migraines, irritable bowel sydrome, or mood swings. My cholesterol is perfect. I sleep better, wake up more refreshed. I exercise because I have the energy to do it! If you would have told me 5 years ago that I'd be training for a marathon, I would have laughed you out of town! I still can't believe it myself!

Betty

[cosguy21]

I just started back on this diet. I've been on it now for 8 days....that last time was 2 weeks(in november)...THIS TIME FOREVER.... (to heck with christmas cookies next year...LOL) anyways..I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 10 years old....So I have been on steriods and chemo (very low dose) and NSAID for all my adult life.. I decide to stop taking them about a year ago and darn it was a bad idea...but I got use to the feeling of my joints hurting.....I notice the first time I started this way of life and already this time that my pain is almost to nothing. It's really amazing..... that is the biggest thing I have notice.....
Another is I don't have to run to the restroom 5 minutes after everytime I eat something......

Also, every time you look in the mirror, you smile at yourself

[Elsie150]

No migraines..which were a couple of times a week occurrance. I think I have only had 3 little headaches since starting. No more IBS. No mood swings. No need to nap in the afternoon. Better sleep. And my Fibramyalsia has improved GREATLY! I used to have trouble walking in the mornings. The kids used to make fun of me. No more. I can go without shoes without pain. Complection has cleared up. Hair isn't shedding as much either. So improvement in my PCOS. No more heartburn. I very seldom burp or pass gas anymore. Unexplained hip pain that I have had for years and gotten massage therapy for and x-rays..and drugs......gone.

Downside...I feel the cold a lot more and have taken to sleeping with a heated rice pad and to wearing 2 shirts...and then I wonder why hardly anyone notices my weight lose! LOL!!

[Moochiecat]

My skin cleared up completely!
I could have thrown out my topical adult acne medication after only 3 months but I held onto it for almost a year because I couldn't believe this was really happening.

My periods immediately became startlingly regular and predictable, which is a first for me after a lifetime of not having a clue when they were going to sneak up on me.

Emotionally, I am a more relaxed person because I'm able to focus more on the social aspect of things rather than obsess about the food.
Eating smaller meals through the day has also solved the low blood sugar episodes I used to have and I just feel better and more capable to handle things.

[Elsie150]

Oh...I forgot to add one.

My house is getting cleaner! As I am removing my body clutter I find myself wanting to get rid of the other clutter. Life is good!

[Gknight]

Ive only been on induction for 13 days now but for me ive lost 11lbs and the pains in my legs at night are minimal now, I have more energy Im exercising something I hadnt done in 2 YEARS) lol my house is spotless!! I cant wait to see what Im like at my goal weight. I work in the music industry and boss told me I lose my weight he will give me $5.00 a pound for the local charity of my choice so now im doing it for 1 more reason.