This article tackles common low-carb myths, especially those that pop up around New Year’s resolutions. We’ll look at how big food companies and even some government policies might influence what we hear about healthy eating. The goal is to clear up some confusion and help you make good choices for your health, without falling for bad information.
The Big Business of Junk Food
It’s pretty wild how much money is spent on junk food. Americans spend over $110 billion a year on fast food and junk food. That’s about $1,200 per person, or roughly 10% of the average American’s income. And the advertising budgets are huge too, around $14 billion annually, with a lot of that aimed at kids and teenagers. Think about it: 70% of food ads on kids’ TV are for junk food, and 84% of food ads on children’s websites are for junk food.
Why does this matter for low-carb diets? Well, if these companies are spending so much to sell their products, they also have a reason to make other eating styles, like low-carb or keto, seem bad. It’s all about protecting their business.
Who Else Benefits from Confusion?
It’s not just junk food companies. Big Pharma, big agriculture, large medical systems, and even insurance companies have a stake in keeping things the way they are. And the U.S. government’s nutritional guidelines often push cheaper, plant-based, processed foods. This can make it seem like food inflation is lower than it really is. Organizations like the American Dietetics Association and the Heart Association often follow these government guidelines.
It’s a system where hospitals, schools, and nursing homes have to serve food based on these guidelines to get funding. This means even diabetics in hospitals might get food that made them sick in the first place.
Debunking "Keto Crotch"
This one is just plain silly. "Keto crotch" is not a real thing. During the pandemic, this myth got a lot of attention, and it seems to be coming back. The idea is that eating meat will cause some kind of terrible odor or infection. But it’s just misinformation.
Key Takeaways:
- No Scientific Basis: There’s no scientific study that shows keto, low-carb, or carnivore diets cause a bad vaginal odor.
- pH Changes are Normal: Any change in diet can cause a temporary change in body odor or pH levels, but it doesn’t mean it’s bad. Your body’s bacteria and sweat can change, and that’s normal.
- Less Yeast and UTIs: In fact, people on low-carb diets often have fewer yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
So, if you hear about "keto crotch," you can just laugh it off. It’s garbage.
The Truth About Ketoacidosis and Heart Health
We heard a story about a friend with a heart condition who was told by a retired cardiologist that his keto diet made his blood acidic and caused his atrial fibrillation (A-fib). This is a big misunderstanding.
Key Takeaways:
- Ketoacidosis vs. Nutritional Ketosis: Ketoacidosis is a serious medical emergency, usually seen in Type 1 diabetics who don’t make insulin. Their blood sugar and ketone levels are extremely high. Nutritional ketosis, which is what happens on a low-carb diet, involves much lower, healthy ketone levels (typically 1-3 millimoles per liter).
- Not Caused by Diet: You don’t get ketoacidosis from eating a low-carb diet. It’s a problem with the pancreas, not something you cause by changing your food.
- A-fib and Insulin: A-fib, especially when it first appears, is often linked to thyroid issues or, more commonly, insulin problems. High insulin levels can mess with almost every system in your body.
- Ketone Levels and Exercise: Even intense exercise during fasting or ketosis can raise ketone levels, but they still won’t be high enough to cause ketoacidosis.
It’s important to know the difference. Confusing these two things is a common mistake, even among some healthcare providers.
Getting Good Advice
It’s really important to be careful about who you get your health advice from. Many traditional doctors are trained mostly in drugs and don’t have much education in nutrition or lifestyle changes. They might give you misinformation because they feel they have to have an answer, even if they don’t know.
If you’re looking for advice on diet, especially low-carb or bioidentical hormones, try to find providers who have extra training in these areas. There are many resources out there, like directories for metabolic health providers, that can help you find someone knowledgeable.
Remember, the healthcare system often focuses on treating symptoms rather than finding the root cause of illness. Your body is designed to heal itself if it’s given the right support. Don’t let misinformation stop you from making healthy changes.
