by Jane Hilt

Created on: February 17, 2008

Yes, a low-carb diet is surely safe, when wisdom and not extremes are followed, and for definitive periods of time! As a dietitian and certified natural health professional, I think the deeper problem is with the type of carbohydrate consumed in excess, causing a host of problems from Diabetes to obesity to fungal/yeast infections, namely baked goods including breads, pastries, and pastas. Americans in particular are losing the battle of the bulge, and the major culprits are, yes indeed, the carbs. The most dangerous dangerous kind of fat to develop is the abdominal, deep "visceral" fat, as it leads to diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. Here are some tips and suggestions as well as substitutions for the most dangerous carbs:

1.) Order "Eating Your Way to Good Health", an anti-fungal, stage one low-carb recipe book by Doug Kaufman with Jamie Clark R.N. (www.knowthecause.com) There are lots of tested, healthy and delicious, easy-to-make recipes in this newly released cookbook!

2.) If you have serious or regular sinus infections, and tend to crave sweets and breads, consider seeing a doctor about taking some temporary anti-fungal medication (Nystatin with Diflucan for instance), especially if you have been on anti-biotics in the last few years and never took probiotics to offset the "dib-biosis" (yeast overgrowth) effect of the anti-biotics. The yeast/fungal overgrowth not only contribute to the sinus infections and carb-cravings, but definitely are involved in a gradual and insidious weight gain over time! Anti-fungal meds, probiotics and the above mentioned anti-fungal (low-carb diet) are in order.

3.) Hint: Choose a good, economical probiotic (acidopholus and bifidus cultures) that is enterically coated (so it won't be destroyed by the acid of the stomach, but will make it intact to the small and large intestine where needed) A good choice is Enzymatic Therapy Acidopholus "Pearls", a once a day culture, though you may want to begin with up to five a day to repair the damage done for the first month, as it won't harm but will help!

4.) Measure your waistline and monitor it fastidiously! This measurement alone is actually more important than your BMI (basal metabolic index) and should be done by every doctor assisting patients in weight loss. Abdominal girth is very dangerous and should be assessed regularly. Women should be no more than 37 inches, with 32.5 desirable. Men should be no more than 40 inches, with 37 inches ideal.

5.) Add good fiber to your

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