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Obesity and inactivity are reaching alarming statistics today in both children and adults. Obesity can put you at risk for type 2 diabetes and heart problems, according to medical studies. Restricting carbohydrates in the form of refined sugars, and allowing moderate consumption of unrefined sugars can go a long way in weight reduction. It's a healthy trade-off.

Low carb diets are very healthy, but they are highly restrictive and many people find it virtually impossible to follow them for any length of time. Weight loss is a result, but it has been found that most people regain the weight after six months because they go back to the old choices.

Diets high in refined sugar and those high in protein pose a definite risk for heart disease. In addition, refined sugar is toxic to people with diabetes 2. The American Diabetes Association now supports low-calorie and low-carbohydrate diets. FRIDAY, Dec. 28 (HealthDay News) 2008 clinical practice recommendations.

For those who want to lose weight and are not diabetic, balance is the key in our diets. Cutting down on carbohydrates (simple and complex sugars) that contain refined sugars are effective loss weight methods but instead of a severely restrictive diet, a balanced diet is preferable.

Carbs from unrefined sugars are naturally better for you such as the complex carbs found in fruit and grains. By adding fruits and grains to your diet, and cutting back on pastries and other refined sugar treats, you are choosing the healthy carbs. Unrefined sugars contain vitamins, nutrients and fiber that provide benefits to your body and they keep you feeling full longer.

In the case of persons with diabetes 2, the benefits of low carbohydrate diets appear to be two-fold. In addition to weight loss and also independent of it, some diabetics are gaining control of their blood sugar and are no longer dependent on diabetic medication according to a 2005 study from Sweden.

"Many people are essentially cured of their [type 2] diabetes by low-carbohydrate diets, but that message is not getting out," Richard Feinman, PhD, of the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

If you, or a loved one, need to lose weight or control blood sugar, low carbs can help you achieve your goal. In general it's a good idea to limit the amount of pastries, candy and other refined sugars for a healthy lifestyle even if you are not at risk for heart disease or diabetes.

Source:

http://www.nlm .nih.gov/medlineplus/news/full story_59466.html

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