Banting or not Banting – A Professional Opinion by Dr James G Liddell

Known Facts

• Fat does not cause obesity

• High saturated fat intake can cause heart disease in some patients – not all patients (when fats/oils are heated to smoke point and they become transfats – and that is bad)

• The carbohydrate metabolism in the obese, diabetic and insulin resistant patient is messed up – they store most carbohydrates as fat

• Sugars – sucrose and fructose in combination elevates insulin levels and overload the liver with carbohydrates

• There is a strong possibility that refined carbohydrates, starches and sugars are the dietary cause of coronary heart disease and diabetes

• Obesity is a disorder of excess fat accumulation because of chronic elevated insulin levels in the blood

• Insulin is the primary regulator of fat storage in humans.  When insulin levels are elevated – we store fat in our fat tissue and when insulin levels fall, we burn fat for fuel

• The fewer refined carbohydrates fat people consume, the leaner they will be

• Refined carbohydrates have a low satiety level – you have to eat a lot before you feel full

• Fat and protein has a high satiety level

• The first human beings have evolved to omnivores

• That most dramatic change in diet in human diets the last 2 million years are the transition from a carbohydrate-poor diet to a carbohydrate rich diet ( too much bread)

• That there were only one blood group on the planet – blood group O – and as people moved over the world they were changing their diets and other blood types developed

• That different diets suit different people – one shoe does not fit all – more and more people are coming to my clinic with food intolerances

• That certain foods will digest well, boosts your immune system and ensure abundance of energy for one person and not for another

• High protein diets affect the liver and kidneys, decalcify the body, lacks nutrition, toxic meat (not free range), constipation, kidney stones, arthritis and gout

• If your protein is not Free Range – it is loaded with antibiotics and hormones – and that has a strong connotation with breast cancer and prostate cancer

• High protein diets can increase homocysteine and can advance hardening of arteries

• High cheese consumption – remember too much salt, mucous-forming, low potassium, low magnesium, growth hormones and antibiotics

• Bacon is a treat – it is full of nitrates which are carcinogenic

• High protein diets are contra-indicated for certain conditions like: hemochromatosis, kidney diseases, porphyria and pyroluria (genetic diseases)

Media Statement Issued By Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town

• Low carbohydrate diets result in similar weight losses to recommended balanced diets

• Findings debunk claims that low carbohydrate diets result in more weight loss Cape Town, 9 July 2014

Low carbohydrate diets result in similar weight losses when compared to recommended balanced diets, according to researchers at Stellenbosch University.

Therefore, what is the answer Banting or not Banting – be responsible, have a blood and/or a genetic test and an expert opinion, and make an informed decision.

• Have a GenePro Wellness Screen at R3950 – it combines your nutrition, your lifestyle and your unique genetic make-up – and/or do a pre and post blood test for fasting Lipogram (R363.10) and/or hs CRP (R156.60)  Total: R519.70

• When you make serious lifestyle changes – I recommend you discuss it with your healthcare professional. The effect of a major dietary change depends on your current health status and your genetic make-up.