Blinded me with Carbohydrates

[black57]

I found this on my home page last night. The article, titled, Blinded by Carbohydrates states that there is a link between high carbohydrate intake and cataracts among women 53 to 73. Here is the story:

http://www.livescience.com/imageoftheday/siod_050705.html

I emailed the writer of this article.

[Dodger]

Maybe it’s time to push back the pasta. Scientists have recently found that high carbohydrate intake coincided with high risk of developing cataracts in women 53 to 73.

The women in the study with high average carb intake – 200 to 268 grams per day – were 2.5 times more likely to get cortical cataracts than the women whose intake was between 101 and 185 grams per day. The recommended dietary allowance – 130 grams for adults and children – for daily carb intake is based on how much the brain needs to function properly.

The women were at high risk of developing a cortical cataract, one of three distinguishable types of cataracts. Carbohydrates are mainly sugars and starches that the body breaks down into glucose, a simple sugar that feeds the body's cells.

Cataracts are formed when damaged proteins gather within one or both of the eye lenses, causing the eye to become cloudy or opaque. High-carbohydrate diets may have a harmful effect on the lens as a result of increased exposure of normal lens proteins to glucose.

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and about 20 million Americans older than 40 have it.

The study was led by Chung-Jung Chiu and Allen Taylor at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging in Boston and is part of the Nutrition and Vision Project, a substudy of the federally funded Nurses' Health Study. The study was published in the June issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

If the brain really requires 130 grams of carbohydrates to function properly, how did all the women in the 'between 101 and 185 grams per day' group survive longer enough to become ages 53 to 73?

[bsheets]

Wow! I knew no fat caused temporary blindness but had never heard of this before!

e

[Lessara]

I know that diabetes increase the chances of getting Cataracts, and blood sugar is high in diabetics so I don't think this is unrealistic.

[tigersue]

My MIL had gastric bipass a few months ago, and her vision has improved as she has been able drop all the meds she has been on and her BS improved. She still eats too high carb for me and not enough meat and fats, but she is better. I keep trying to teach her, but she doesn't listen to me. Her skin is getting that awful look of someone not getting enough protein or fats, even though she has lost a good deal of weight I don't think her face looks healthy either.
Tanya

[black57]

Dodger, I emailed the writer of that story. I told him that, according to PP ( who rely on info from Stanford University's medical books) the brain prefers protein. I also told him that I have survived on fewer carbohydrates for nearly the past 3 years. I also managed to get my bachelor's degree within that time. That took brains.

I added that many have commented on getting relief from acid reflux. Acid reflux is the #1 cause of esophogeal cancer. Looks like low carb can prevent some form of cancer.

[Dodger]

Mary,

If you get a response from the author, please post it so we all can see it.

[kebaldwin]

Yes, there have been several studies in the last week that came out. But those of us that have been reading, or had relatives with type 2 diabetes already know this.

My vision is better after starting low carbing.

[black57]

Mary,

If you get a response from the author, please post it so we all can see it.

Most definitely! :wave:

[kmct10]

Just one more disease cured by LC. No wonder they can't beleive it.

[relief]

according to PP ( who rely on info from Stanford University's medical books) the brain prefers protein.

I wanted to correct a very slight mis-conception here--the brain for the most part prefers FAT, not protein, as a fuel--protein is used as a building block to repair and build all the tissues of the body but FAT is the best fuel, for muscles, heart and brain. There are a few small structures of the body, some in the brain ( the hypo thalamus comes to mind)which do indeed require glucose for optimum function and the level the body requires daily is around 150 to 200 grams ( this comes from the Eades in protein power lifeplan I believe) HOWEVER-- and this is huge--you don't have to EAT that much carb to get your daily dose of glucose. your body can make it from the protein you eat. And because too much carb and sugar causes so many ( many many!) problems, it makes sense to eat your protein and your fat !!!!

I continue to be totally amazed by how very WRONG mainstream nutrition has been over the past few decades and how very resistant to changing even in the face of overwhelming evidance in study after study. sheesh.

thank heavens for studies lke these and for the authors who have had the courage to get the info out for those who are willing to "see"--Atkins, the Eades, Jonny Bowden, et al.

[black57]

Thanks for the correction, Relief.

[seyont]

Hold it- 130 grams of carbohydrates for all adults and children, regardless of size. Plus 56 grams of protein for everybody... that's 744 calories. Surely they aren't suggesting 140 grams of fat to get to 2000 calories, are they?

My sugar-deprived brain must be malfunctioning. Bacon fumes are making me high.

[kmct10]

I continue to be totally amazed by how very WRONG mainstream nutrition has been over the past few decades and how very resistant to changing even in the face of overwhelming evidance in study after study. sheesh.

thank heavens for studies lke these and for the authors who have had the courage to get the info out for those who are willing to "see"--Atkins, the Eades, Jonny Bowden, et al.

Welcome to the common sense minority! How long have you been "enlightened"? Discovering LC/GI has been a lesson in social politics for me, to realize how wrong authority can be, or a lesson in how very not-straightforward scientific and human progress can be. The bigger the beauracracy, the more resistance to progress.

I gained fifteen pounds on a low-fat diet, but lost it all in a week on low-carb, which saved me from losing all control over my body. We are witnessing the birth of a new breakthrough in nutrition science, though it may take years to get it formally accepted. Our bodies are the living proof of it, so we just have to persevere until science pays attention.

I have found this site and forum to be the most interesting and most consistently upgraded on the web, with great and very active commentary. Apparently the Eades' also have a good forum to read through. Someone posted it in here recently, I'll have to search for it. Also see the "success stories" on this site, e-diets and Atkins sites for amazing true-life pictures. Have you seen any other good sites?

[bsheets]

I also told him that I have survived on fewer carbohydrates for nearly the past 3 years. I also managed to get my bachelor's degree within that time. That took brains.

You think lc actually makes your brain sharper? Because clarity of thinking is something I need butt keep bouncing around on and off plan. I could use this as added motivation given I'm study at the moment.

e

[black57]

Well, I did deal with a mental fog when I was eating "normally". Although I was getting good grades with higher amounts of carbs. But my brain came outta the fog and continued functioning since I have been low carbing. I do know that some people claim that ADHD is more easily controlled while low carbing. I also know that low carb dieting helps with epilepsy. They have just discovered its ability to help those with Alzheimers.

My hair, which grows on top of my brain ;-) is not nearly as gray.

[Nancy LC]

I wonder if carb contribute to glaucoma too. My Mom has that.

[deirdra]

I notice if I eat too many carbs, one of the first things that goes is my vision (it gets 1/4 to 1/2 diopter more nearsighted) - I cannot read digital clocks on things like the VCR that I have no problem reading on LC. It would not surprise me if it affected glaucoma - back when I lived on high carbs I often felt like my eyeballs were swollen.

A group called Direct-MS uses a diet similar to that for epilepsy to combat Multiple Sclerosis. The wheaty prairies have a higher incidence of MS - coincidence???

[bsheets]

Wow Deirdra, that's some interesting testimony! I don't think I would have ever drawn those paralells by myself.

e

[Mitra]

I notice if I eat too many carbs, one of the first things that goes is my vision (it gets 1/4 to 1/2 diopter more nearsighted) - I cannot read digital clocks on things like the VCR that I have no problem reading on LC.

I was so pleased to read this. I have exactly the same experience, and, because my eyesight is not too bad, LC makes the difference between needing glasses and not (on LC I'd just need 1/4 dioptre in one eye, which isn't worth bothering to correct). Before LC I'd worn glasses for about 10 years. If my carbs start to drift up a bit (and that usually involves wheat) slightly fuzzy distance vision in my left eye is one of the clues I get. Along with a puffy left ankle (my RHS seems to tolerate carbs better ;) ).

I've never heard anyone else report the effect - but I was absolutely convinced that it was real, and carb-related, so it's good to hear it from someone else!