«We've known for quite some time that reduction
of dietary carbohydrates causes an excess of water loss,» he says, so the weight loss may be due to water loss.
High
levels of dietary carbohydrates, also known as high glycemic load foods (e.g. sugars and starchy foods such as bread, rice, pasta and potatoes), work with the hormone insulin to «switch off» fat burning and increase fat gain.
According to the report, «The lower limit
of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero, provided that adequate amounts of protein and fat are consumed.»
For many years, the prevailing wisdom regarding nutrition for diabetic cats centered on the use of high - fiber diets, which are prescribed for human and dogs with the disease, because fiber has been shown to minimize the
impact of dietary carbohydrates on blood sugar.
I think it is most appropriate to borrow the words from someone far smarter and well versed on this topic here (Dr. Kevin Hall), «A logical consequence of the carbohydrate - insulin model is that decreasing the
proportion of dietary carbohydrate to fat without altering protein or calories will reduce insulin secretion, increase fat mobilization from adipose tissue, and elevate oxidation of circulating free fatty acids.
In a study that included overweight and obese participants, those with diets with low glycemic
index of dietary carbohydrate did not have improvements in insulin sensitivity, lipid levels, or systolic blood pressure, according to a study in the December 17 issue of JAMA.
Another conclusion they came to, «weekly ratings of perceived hunger did not differ by diet group during the trial, which suggests, as discussed by others (31, 32), that it is the protein content of the diet and not the
severity of dietary carbohydrate restriction that affects perceived hunger,» mirrored my own experience.
Most experts agree on the fact that in diabetic patients treated with insulin, the
substitution of dietary carbohydrates having a high glycemic index or high glycemic load by complex carbohydrates with lower figures improves the blood glucose control and reduces the hypoglycemic episodes [38].
When
deprived of dietary carbohydrates (usually below 50g / day), the liver becomes the sole provider of glucose to feed your hungry organs — especially the brain, a particularly greedy entity accounting for ~ 20 % of total energy expenditure.
Insulin inhibits the action of leptin, the hormone that enables the body to break down fat and use it for fuel, 35 and also helps convert larger
amounts of dietary carbohydrate to fat for storage.36
The
type of dietary carbohydrate consumed may affect lipid and lipoprotein profiles (74, 75), although a thorough analysis of the evidence for this hypothesis is beyond the scope of this review.
The
impact of the dietary carbohydrate source on food intake, glucose and insulin concentrations, and insulin sensitivity in overweight cats with reduced insulin sensitivity was assessed (57) using two diets formulated to contain similar starch content (33 %) from different cereal sources (sorghum and corn vs. rice).
The main
sources of dietary carbohydrates in the American diet include pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, some dairy products, fruits, sweetened beverages, baked goods and desserts.